On Air Highlights

Samoa taking a great leap in disaster management

28 June 2011

Listen and download: MP3

Samoa’s disaster management authorities are working on a new emergency response system that will harness existing resources, incorporate new technologies such as mobile phones and computers, and draw on an army of local and international volunteers.

One of the lessons learnt from the devastating tsunami that struck Samoa in 2009 was the realisation that there were limitations to how quickly critical information could reach emergency response teams.

David Leng, who is responsible for setting up the new system, says it will be configured to maximise rapid dissemination of information as well as ensure early responses by government departments and emergency crews.

Presenter: Clement Paligaru

Speaker: David Leng, CEO of HEAL Samoa