Strengthening Samoa’s Local Disaster Response Through Innovation!
Humanitarian innovation organisation Field Ready, in partnership with the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program (PHWP) and the Pacific Community (SPC), successfully concluded an intensive two-day Mobile Makerspace (MMS) training workshop today at the Disaster Management Office (DMO).
The hands-on capacity-building initiative (29–30 October 2026) brought together agencies from key national utilities and civil society organisations, including the Samoa Water Authority (SWA), Electric Power Corporation (EPC), Samoa Red Cross Society, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), Nuanua ole Alofa (NOLA), Caritas Samoa, Loto Taumafai, FAIVA Manaia Inc. and more.
The training introduced practical manufacturing and on-site engineering techniques to help agencies overcome supply chain disruptions following natural hazards and climate shocks.
Through portable Mobile Makerspace kits, responders can repair damaged infrastructure, manufacture essential spare parts on demand, and restore critical community services without waiting for international shipments.
Throughout the two-day programme, participants engaged in practical technical sessions covering:
Rapid Manufacturing & Tool Mastery: Hands-on training in 3D printing, plastic welding, and the safe operation of specialized power and hand tools.
Disaster WASH Infrastructure Repairs: Practical emergency repairs involving water systems, plumbing, pipework, sanitation and emergency latrine installations.
Inclusive Response: Integrating accessibility standards into humanitarian facilities to ensure the needs of persons with disabilities and the elderly are considered.
Practical Field Deployment: A team-based simulation exercise challenging participants to deploy Mobile Makerspace equipment and solve real-time mechanical and structural problems under simulated disaster conditions.
This initiative forms part of broader regional efforts supported by the Pacific Humanitarian Warehousing Program and SPC to strengthen locally led disaster response and equip national agencies with practical skills to protect vulnerable communities.
The workshop concluded this afternoon with an official certificate presentation and closing ceremony at the DMO/NEOC, marking another important milestone in strengthening Samoa’s local disaster response network.
About Field Ready:
Field Ready is an international non-governmental organisation dedicated to transforming humanitarian aid and disaster response through local manufacturing, innovative engineering, and rapid repair. By producing critical supplies where and when they are needed, Field Ready helps reduce response times, costs and builds long-term local resilience.