SAMOA

1. SAMOA

2. Most likely disaster event that will trigger/require a significant international response and capacities to detect and monitor early warning signs for this disaster (at national and regional level).(Discuss and choose one hazard) Earthquake that generates a Tsunami Cyclone (most likely)

3. Projections of humanitarian needs of affected population.(Based on population figures, past experience, local capacity) • All the country potentially affected • Electricity generators could be potentially affected • Water access interrupted. • Food security, crops damaged, tools and assets for agriculture lost • Fear of the population to return to their livelihood activities • Protection issues to families and females • Psychosocial needs • Public and villages infrastructure • People moving to improvised evacuation centres (Churches).

4. Characteristics of affected population and particular vulnerabilities. (based on livelihoods, socio-economic indictors, vulnerabilities, adaptation/strengths, ethnicity, etc…) • Strong cultural links facilitates an emergency response through informal systems. They rely on family support/capacities. • Rural: • Open rural population, high exposure • Poor more vulnerable, construction, • Depends on agriculture for livelihoods. • Initial response delayed because centralized services in urban areas. • Urban: • Principal services/capacities centralized in urban areas. • Access to international aid access if wharf or airport affected. • High number of displaced population

5. National capacities and thresh holds for requiring regional/external assistance. (Capacity of government and available technical resources and contingency stocks, funding early recovery, …) • EWS – Meteorological agency links with regional and global organization, DMO Sends alert through Digicel text messages • EWS – sirens system in the community level • Water and sanitation capacities developed after 2009. • Rapid Assessment network and preparedness activities (SRC) • Through the lessons learnt from the previous disasters in the last 20 years the capacities to response especially to the initial stages of a disaster has increased. • A trigger for a regional response would be activated if Apia is severely affected, This would have implications on the country response capacities and to a high density population, as well if the impact compromise entirely one of the bigger islands Savaii and Upolu. The impact to national transport infrastructure such as International Airport or the Wharfs could trigger a regional response.

6. Response Coordination Structure

7. Clarify coordination arrangements where needed.(Sub-national, National, FRANZ and Civ Mil Coordination, Regional Coordination. Identify the documents these arrangements are articulated in, In practice how well do they function) • SDS – Strategy for the development of Samoa (With MDG) • Disaster Emergency Act 2007 • National Disaster Response Plan 2011-2014 • Disaster Advisory Committee • GO/NGO Response Plans

8. International response “driver” ( e.g. donor) (Which agency or Government is often times the first to respond, or, is the first to be called for assistance? How does this impact the response?) • MNREM– PM (Chairperson of the NDC) (Declaration) – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

9. Priority sectors where needs are likely to be greatest; what kind of assistance is required in these sectors.(Based on past experience, discuss the likely sectors to be prioritised? What might be some of the specific needs in these sectors? How much? Where is the relief likely to be provided from?) • WASH • Food Security • Shelter

10. Assuming external assistance is required, what will national authorities most likely request of the PHT, (or, what should the objective(s) of the PHT response be) • The actual Government structure is confident to keep the coordination of the situation and in case of a major disaster but is able to accept the support coming from the PHT clusters as well as its resources but keeping the coordination role with Government.