ADB Provides $500,000 to Samoa for Cyclone Relief

ADB Provides $500,000 to Samoa for Cyclone Relief Efforts

APIA, SAMOA (28 December, 2012) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing a $500,000 emergency grant to the Government of Samoa to help fund humanitarian and relief efforts for those affected by Cyclone Evan. The funds will be used to supply a wide variety of essential needs and services to people affected by the disaster, and will also support rehabilitation work.

"The cyclone caused widespread destruction across both Upolu and Savai’i islands in Samoa and is still severely affecting the lives and livelihoods of many Samoans, with more than 4,000 people still in evacuation centers while the clean-up operation is underway,” said Caroline Currie, Acting Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Suva, Fiji. “We will be working with the Government and other development partners to assist with the next stages of rehabilitation and reconstruction.”

Initial damage and needs assessments indicate the damage to crops and infrastructure will be over $125 million.

ADB approved the grant under its Asia Pacific Disaster Response Fund facility.

ADB has maintained a long and active presence in Samoa since 1966, and as of December 2011, has provided Samoa with 35 sovereign loans with a total value of $186.19 million. In September 2009, two powerful earthquakes caused a tsunami in Asia and within days ADB provided a $1 million emergency grant to Samoa. ADB is currently financing projects in education, power and sanitation. A $10.6 million policy-based loan approved in late 2011 is supporting social services to protect vulnerable groups while continuing with structural and public management reforms.

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members – 48 from the region. In 2011, ADB approvals including co-financing totaled $21.7 billion.

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