At the time of writing, Samoa is free of COVID-19. Preventative and precautionary measures were implemented early and continue.
WHO has played a strong role in keeping COVID-19 at bay in Samoa by supporting a mass media campaign, training clinical teams on prevention, screening, testing as well as carrying out isolation, case management and intensifying mental health services.
WHO's COVID-19 support to Samoa also includes an initiative with the Samoa Red Cross Society (SRCS) and the Adventists Disaster Relief Agency (ADRA) to intensify public education on COVID-19. It builds on the early COVID-19 sensitization sessions held for approximately 200 village chiefs, mayors, religious leaders and women's community group representatives from the four inhabited Samoan Islands Upolu, Savai'i, Manono and Apolima.
As part of the initiative, WHO collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the SRCS to develop a COVID-19 training toolkit to deliver standardized information sessions on COVID-19. The toolkit includes a component on home-based care.
In July, WHO joined the SRCS in Manono and Apolima, two of Samoa's smaller islands, where more assessments were conducted and hygiene kit care packages and water were distributed to vulnerable families.
The unavailability of clean water for hand-washing, cooking and general hygiene is a barrier to preventing and managing COVID-19 infection. This and other barriers are the backbone of WHO's collaboration with SRCS and ADRA to better understand families' vulnerability to COVID-19 and to provide them with the hygiene supplies.
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.
Learn more about our partners and donors and their contributions.
Find out more about WHO and partners’ fight to keep Samoa COVID-19 free
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19