Samoa – officially the Independent State of Samoa – is an island nation in Polynesia comprising two main islands (Upolu and Savai’i), two smaller inhabited islands (Manono and Apolima), and six uninhabited islets. As of mid-2025, Samoa’s population is estimated at 219,306, with 16.3% (approximately 35,747 people) residing in the urban capital of Apia. The country is divided into 11 administrative divisions, governed under a unitary parliamentary democracy.

Samoa’s economy is classified as developing, with agriculture as a primary sector. Key cash crops include bananas, taro, and coconuts, which contribute significantly to export earnings. Subsistence farming remains vital for food security. The tourism sector continues to grow, generating revenue and employment, while fishing and light manufacturing also contribute to the national income.

Samoa’s disaster preparedness and response efforts are coordinated by the Disaster Management Office (DMO) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), operating from the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) in Tuana’imato. The DMO works closely with government agencies, civil society, and communities to strengthen national resilience. The legal framework is anchored in the Disaster and Emergency Management Act 2007, which outlines protocols for disaster planning, emergency declarations, and inter-agency coordination. Strategic guidance is provided by the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2017–2020, which promotes a multi-sectoral approach to prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery, and the National Action Plan for Disaster Risk Management (NAP) 2017–2021, which operationalizes the NDMP and integrates disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation across 14 sectors. Both plans are currently under review to align with evolving risks and international frameworks.

National Emergency Telecommunications Coordination Lead: Office of the Regulator (OOTR)
National Disaster Management Lead: Samoa Disaster Management Office (DMO)

Contact details and social media channels for the Samoa Disaster Management Office (DMO):

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/DMOSamoa/
• Twitter: twitter.com/DMO_Samoa
• Website: https://www.mnre.gov.ws/about-us/divisions/disaster-management-office/
• Email: dmosamoa@gmail.com

The ETC is focused on preparedness activities in Samoa and nearby Pacific Island countries under its Pacific Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) project, led by WFP.