In Samoa, memory of the tragic measles outbreak in late 2019 has galvanized communities’ commitment to keep themselves safe from COVID-19, using traditional resources and a holistic approach.
In early 2020, health authorities in Samoa became aware that if the coronavirus arrived, health facilities and health workers could be overwhelmed. High rates of non-communicable diseases including cancer, diabetes and heart disease means that many people would be extremely vulnerable to the virus. It is a similar situation for several other Pacific countries and areas which, as of October 2020, had not had a single COVID-19 case: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Pitcairn Islands, Tokelau and Tuvalu.
Seeing that Samoa, a country of 195,000, needed to pull together as one, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. Supported by WHO, through the Delivering as One UN initiative, it developed a community engagement strategy to boost health beyond the pandemic. Other partners included the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, disability advocacy organization Nuanua O Le Alofa, suicide prevention organization Fa’ataua le Ola, the Samoa Red Cross Society, and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA).
WHO supported the multi-sectoral approach to implement the strategy, trained health workers and engaged with matai (customary village leaders), district nurses already engaging with communities, and grass roots committees. Educational toolkits based on WHO messages on COVID-19 were adapted to the Samoan context and translated. They reinforced the practical steps everyone should take to keep safe, such as washing hands, covering sneezes and coughs, and physical distancing, and delivered hygiene kits.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
Read more about COVID-19 preparedness in Samoa
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19