Samoa

In 2006, Samoa established its National Disaster Management Plan 2006-2009.

Samoa is exposed to a number of natural and technological hazards. Some of these hazards are seasonal, such as tropical cyclones, floods and droughts. Others are an ever-present threat, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruption, tsunamis, epidemics, industrial hazards, and exotic plant or animal diseases. Changes in tropical cyclone systems increase the risk to life, property and ecosystems. The occurrences of tropical cyclones, long period of droughts and flooding events have affected the source of income of most of the Samoan population. The extreme events of tropical cyclones Ofa (1990) and Val (1991) caused damage costing approximately four times the gross domestic product (GDP) of Samoa. High winds, storm surges and heavy rains severely damaged agricultural plantations, infrastructure and the country’s socio-economic base. 

Samoa has a Marine Resources Use Policy, and is working towards the delineation of its EEZ with the assistance of the Commonwealth Secretariat and the SOPAC.

Traditionally Samoans rely on marine resources for their well-being and daily required sustenance. Over 70% of villages are located on the coastal fringe of the islands, and subsistence fishing is a major activity of the inhabitants of such villages. Fisheries also play an extremely important role in the economy of Samoa as well as contributing significantly to the health and nutrition of the people. Fisheries are the major income-earner for the country. Offshore fisheries, in particular the tuna sector, have been recently developed and now are the most valuable among fisheries contributing significantly to Samoa’s economy. However, pressures arising as a result of overfishing, inshore environment degradation, ongoing coastal developments, pollution, and natural disasters have adversely affected the coastal resources and marine environment. 

Samoa has an active Land Use Policy. In addition, a Land Task Force was set up in 2006 to consider land reforms and to ensure that there is access to development on an equitable basis within a framework of customary ownership.

Land is central to the economic and cultural structure of Samoa and land of productive potential is in ample supply. In areas of heavy population concentration, however, shortages of land under customary land tenure are becoming more evident and increase pressure to develop land of marginal value for village sector production. An increasing number of village communities are experiencing floodwater inundation in new areas of their land. These problems are worsened by other human activities such as deforestation in the areas located uphill and inland. Forest and trees and their role in watershed management, environmental protection, provision of wood and non-timber resources, and as a reserve of biodiversity are highly vulnerable to the drought season, facing increasing risk of forest fires.

The Tourism Development Plan 2002-2006 provides a framework for sustainable tourism development in Samoa.

The tourism industry has grown in recent years to become an important driver of the economy. Visitor arrivals have increased 57% between 1998 and 2008 with record growth recorded in 2006. Tourism earnings have grown 106% between 2001 and 2008 representing 20% of GDP. There has been remarkable growth in room capacity of 206% since the early nineties, albeit another setback is evident in the aftermath of the 2009 tsunami, particularly with the destruction of a large number of community tourism facilities. Assistance through development partners is targeted at the speedy recovery of the sector affected by the tsunami.