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American Samoa Government - PR001-04232026
Posted: April 23, 2026
ODAPM Represents American Samoa at the SPC Pacific Regional Disaster and Emergency Managers Meeting in Fiji
CORAL COAST, Fiji — Under the leadership of Director Lologa Olo, the Office of Disaster Assistance and Petroleum Management (ODAPM) proudly represented American Samoa at the 2026 Pacific Regional Disaster & Emergency Managers Meeting (PRDEMM). State Hazard Mitigation Officer Ms. Sandi Tonumaipea and Grant Coordinator Mr. Max Haleck joined leaders from across the Blue Pacific to celebrate over a decade of the Pacific Community (SPC) hosting this vital forum.
The Conference emphasized that "investment is the difference between intention and impact." Central to these discussions was the declaration that water security is foundational to disaster management. Leaders reviewed the success of the Humanitarian Emergency Response Solutions (HERS) and the operational benefits of the Kiribati Humanitarian Warehouse, which now serves as a regional blueprint for the strategic pre-positioning of life-saving supplies.
Regional success stories highlighted how Pacific nations are turning "disasters into opportunities" for innovation. Delegates examined Tuvalu’s Coastal Adaptation Project, which utilizes land reclamation to combat sea-level rise, and Samoa’s decade-long commitment to integrated policy. A technical highlight included a specialized presentation by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Space Weather. This briefing detailed the potential impacts of solar activity on GPS, satellite communications, and power grids. These emerging risks will now be integrated into the upcoming American Samoa Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
A major point of pride for the delegation was the SPC’s publication of its inaugural “Disaster and Water Resilience Programme (DWRP) Digest 2025.” In this landmark review, the Amerika Samoa Annual Disaster Resilience Summit is prominently featured as a premier regional example of collaboration and education-based resilience. As a side event, the SPC launched Integrate Pasifika in Fiji, a transformative initiative designed to streamline technical coordination and disaster governance across the Pacific.
The collaborations strengthened this week are vital to the collective resilience of our Pacific home, proving that through shared challenges and enduring partnerships, a secure and sustainable future is within reach for all. ODAPM extends its appreciation to the Honorable Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, Governor of American Samoa, for the nomination to represent our Territory, the Pacific Community for the invitation to this prestigious event, and the host nation of Fiji for the wonderful hospitality.
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