The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through its Disaster Management Office (DMO), successfully concluded the three-day Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Concepts Training today, marking an important step towards enhancing disaster preparedness and coordination across government sectors. 
Held from 7–9 July 2026 at Hotel Elisa 
, the training brought together disaster management focal points from government ministries and agencies to deepen their understanding of Samoa’s disaster risk management framework, strengthen coordination approaches, and develop practical skills to support effective preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. 
, the training brought together disaster management focal points from government ministries and agencies to deepen their understanding of Samoa’s disaster risk management framework, strengthen coordination approaches, and develop practical skills to support effective preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. The final day focused on disaster response planning 
, the transition from response to recovery 
, and the role of exercise management in improving preparedness systems. Participants explored the response planning process, key components of a disaster response plan 
, and how these contribute to the broader DRM cycle.
, the transition from response to recovery , and the role of exercise management in improving preparedness systems. Participants explored the response planning process, key components of a disaster response plan , and how these contribute to the broader DRM cycle.During the session on Transitioning to Recovery, facilitated by the Pacific Community (SPC) 
, participants examined the relationship between response, relief, and recovery while gaining insights into recovery principles and the importance of Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) 
in guiding recovery planning and decision-making.
, participants examined the relationship between response, relief, and recovery while gaining insights into recovery principles and the importance of Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) in guiding recovery planning and decision-making.Participants were also introduced to Exercise Management 
, covering the purpose and value of disaster exercises, different exercise types, the Exercise Management Model, and the importance of capturing lessons learned 
to strengthen future preparedness and response actions. Interactive group activities 
provided opportunities for participants to apply key concepts and share experiences from their respective sectors.
, covering the purpose and value of disaster exercises, different exercise types, the Exercise Management Model, and the importance of capturing lessons learned to strengthen future preparedness and response actions. Interactive group activities provided opportunities for participants to apply key concepts and share experiences from their respective sectors.The training concluded with the presentation of certificates 
to participants who successfully completed the DRM Concepts Training, recognising their commitment and active participation throughout the three-day programme. 
to participants who successfully completed the DRM Concepts Training, recognising their commitment and active participation throughout the three-day programme. MNRE acknowledges the valuable contributions of all participating ministries and agencies and extends its sincere appreciation to the Pacific Community (SPC), the Pacific Islands Emergency Management Alliance (PIEMA), and the European Union’s Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific 2 Project 
for their partnership and continued support in delivering this important capacity-building initiative.
for their partnership and continued support in delivering this important capacity-building initiative.