MALAELA JOINS SAMOA'S TSUNAMI READY JOURNEY - MNRE- Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment

The village of Malaelā has successfully completed implementation activities under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme (TRRP), marking another important milestone in Samoa’s efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and build resilient coastal communities.

Implemented by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), through the Disaster Management Office (DMO) and the Samoa Meteorological Service, the programme works in partnership with communities to enhance tsunami preparedness through improved risk awareness, evacuation planning, warning systems, and coordinated emergency response.

As part of the programme, official tsunami hazard zone and evacuation route signs were installed at strategic locations throughout the village.

These signs play an important role in helping residents and visitors quickly identify safe evacuation routes and assembly areas, ensuring people can move to higher ground promptly and safely when a tsunami warning is issued.

The implementation also included community consultations, validation of evacuation routes, identification of safe assembly areas, and discussions to strengthen local warning dissemination and emergency response procedures. Together, these activities help communities build the knowledge and confidence needed to respond effectively during a tsunami while working towards internationally recognised Tsunami Ready indicators.

MNRE commends the people of Malaelā for their strong commitment and active participation throughout the programme. The Ministry also extends its sincere appreciation to UNESCO and USAID for their continued financial and technical support in advancing the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme across Samoa.