29th July: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) supported by the GCF-VCP Project Management Unit (GCF-PMU) and the Implementing Agencies (IAs): Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructures (MWTI); Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE); Ministry of Health (MOH) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) together with the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development (MWCSD) invite representatives : Sui o Nu’u; Sui o Malo; Sui o Tama’ita’i, representatives of Youth and Disability Organisations from 31 villages and communities within the Vaisigano River Catchment Area (VRCA) to gather in consultation on Wednesday 29th July 2020 at 9.00am at the Samoa Conference Centre.
The 31 villages within the geographic scope of the GCF-VCP includes Afiamalu East, Letava, Tiapapata, Vaoala, Vailima, Avele, Papauta, Tanugamanono, Leufisa, Motootua, Magiagi Tai, Magiagi uta, Fa’atoialemanu, Lelata, Vini Fou, Levili, Aai o Niue, Malufou, Malifa, Leififi, Tufuiopa, Tauese, Apia, Leone, Vaisigano, Matautu Uta, Matautu Tai, Vaipuna, Vaiala uta, Vaiala Tai and Moata’a.
The initiative is an opportunity for representatives from 31 villages within VRCA to be informed not just on the GCF – VCP scope since inception in July 2017 but also on the latest updates on the implementation of approved work plan since June 2019 and future plans with possible impacts on the villages and communities affected to ensure good understanding is reached and that the GCF-VCP gains the communities’ support to guarantee smooth implementation of project activities. The awareness program will also encourage active participation of community members during the discussions to gain feedback and insight to any issue of concern and recommendations they wish to offer, which will be taken into consideration and formally discussed and addressed if required with the relevant Implementing Agencies.
The GCF – VCP is a 6 year project designed to improve the climate resilient of the VRCA, and is co-funded by the Government of Samoa and the Green Climate Fund with total funding of $65.7 million USD. The GCF investments are directed to an integrated approach to flood management and natural disaster risk reduction known as “Integrated Flood Management to Enhance Climate Resilience of the Vaisigano River Catchment in Samoa”, referred to as GCF-VCP which is Samoa’s one of its kind and biggest multi-sectoral project to date.