Samoa officially launches One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project

The Government of Samoa, through the Ministries of Health (MOH); Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF); and Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), together with partners including the World Bank, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Health Organization (WHO) today officially launched the One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project, with financial support from the Pandemic Fund.

Samoa has been awarded around US$ 4.8 million in grant financing during the second round of Pandemic Fund allocations to strengthen its national capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats with epidemic or pandemic potential. The grant also leverages additional co‑investment and co‑financing from partners.

^{From L-R: June Scanlan Lui, Chief Executive Officer for Health; Reverend Poasa Toia; Honourable Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo, Minister of Health; Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific; Dr Samuel Mills, Senior Health Specialist of the Pandemic Fund; Guangzhou Qu, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands; Mataia Levaopolo Ricky Faatonu, Mataia Levaopolo Ricky Faatonu, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; Kassandra Betham, World Bank; and Fesolai Molly Nielsen, Assistant Chief Executive Officer in the Disaster Management Office - Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Photo: WHO / Faizza Tanggol}

Government-led multisectoral collaboration for One Health

This project adopts a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It aims to strengthen surveillance systems, expand laboratory capacity, and build multisectoral workforce resilience. The project will reinforce critical systems and processes that enable Samoa to respond more effectively to emerging infectious diseases, climate-related health risks, and zoonotic threats.  Globally, approximately 60% of infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, which means they can spread between animals and humans. Meanwhile, about 75% of new or emerging infectious diseases originate from animals, underscoring the importance of a One Health approach for Samoa’s health security. 

“Today’s launch is more than a ceremonial event. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in Samoa’s health security journey, where preparedness is not an option but a shared responsibility,” said Minister of Health Hon Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo. “I am confident that with the dedication of our teams, the guidance of our partners, and the support of our communities, we will achieve the outcomes we all aspire to.”

Ministers from across sectors in Samoa reaffirmed the importance of multisectoral collaboration to ensure the project achieves its aims and delivers meaningful impact in the country.

“The Ministry of Agriculture through the Division of Animal Production and the Division of Health is committed to working with other Ministries on this project to build the capacity of the workforce as well as to share information on animal diseases,” said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Hon Fuimaono Maiava Tito Asafo. “Fifteen Animal Production and Health Division employees have successfully completed the 16-week para-vet course which mandated that by 2025 they will practice veterinary medicine. The Ministry's participation in the One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project will enable to improve the tools and equipment as well as the level of service delivery to the livestock farmer in Samoa.”

“Integrating climate early warning systems across sectors is critical for Samoa’s resilience,” said Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Hon Ale Vena Ale. “This commitment is reflected in our National Environment Sector Plan 2023–2027, the Climate Change Policy 2020–2030, and the Meteorology, Geoscience and Ozone Services Act 2021. By aligning our work with the outcomes of this project, we are strengthening MNRE’s mandate while delivering long‑term benefits for the people and environment of Samoa.”

Partners engagement for the project

The Pandemic Fund allocates its financing through accredited implementing entities. For Samoa, the World Bank acts as the primary implementing entity and convener, working alongside FAO and WHO. The MOH leads the project in collaboration with MAF and MNRE, supported by the three implementing entities and other delivery partners.

Activities under the project are expected to commence this year, with planned efforts including expanding Samoa’s Health Climate Early Warning System (H‑CLEWS), improving the integration of human-animal-environment surveillance data, upgrading laboratory infrastructure for both human and animal health, and implementing training to develop a skilled, surge‑ready workforce capable of responding quickly when threats emerge.

“This project in Samoa represents an important step in strengthening the country’s preparedness to prevent, detect, and respond to future health threats. By investing in surveillance, laboratories, and workforce development—and adopting a One Health approach—Samoa is reinforcing the foundation for sustainable health security. The Pandemic Fund is proud to support this important effort through catalytic financing and cross-sector collaboration: our US$4.8 million grant is helping to mobilize over US$5 million in additional co-investment and co-financing from both domestic and international sources,” said Priya Basu, Executive Head of the Pandemic Fund.

“For the World Bank, this investment reflects our long‑standing commitment to strengthening health systems across the Pacific through sustained partnership and regional collaboration,” said Stefano Mocci, World Bank Country Manager for the South Pacific. “By convening partners and supporting Samoa to build resilient institutions and systems over the long term, we are investing in health security that protects people, livelihoods, and development gains—today and for generations to come.”

“FAO has always been a steadfast partner for Governments to mainstream the One Health approach,“ said Guangzhou Qu, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands. “When humans, animals, plants and the environment are all healthy, we can secure nutritious and safe food for every Samoan.”

“This project will support the strengthening of the systems that matter most in an emergency, including strong surveillance, reliable laboratories, and a workforce equipped to respond quickly when new threats emerge,” said WHO Representative to Samoa, Dr Wendy Snowdon. “WHO will continue to provide our technical expertise to One Health, antimicrobial resistance, and strengthening the human health workforce, aligned with this project. We are committed to working closely with all partners to ensure these investments translate into real, lasting improvements for people and communities across Samoa.”

During the event, the Ministry of Health also unveiled Samoa’s National Antimicrobial Guidelines 2026, alongside the updated National Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines and the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan 2026-2031, reinforcing national efforts under the One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project.

^{Multisectoral partners during the launch event. Photo: WHO / Faizza Tanggol}