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Priorities of the People: Hardship in Samoa

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Introduction

	An interview being conducted in a hut where a family of six sleeps

In spite of Samoa’s tropical abundance and culture of helping one another, some Samoans are living in difficult conditions and facing real hardship. To remedy this situation, the government has undertaken a successful reform program and achieved positive economic growth in recent years. In cooperation with others, the government is striving to understand the nature of hardship in Samoa and develop ways to combat it. The theme of the government’s most recent economic strategy, called Strategy for the Development of Samoa 2002–2004 (SDS), is Opportunities for All. This theme highlights the need for all the people of Samoa to share the benefits of national development.

In 2002, the government initiated a “Participatory Assessment on Hardship.” Samoans from all walks of life, especially those facing hardship, were asked to describe hardship from their point of view and suggest the most important priority actions to improve their lives. Interviews were held at the household level, and focus group discussions and workshops were held at the community level. The Treasury Department and Ministry of Internal Affairs selected 16 sample sites for the consultations: 10 communities (villages and settlements) on Upolu Island and 6 villages on Savaii Island. The assessment was funded by the Asian Development Bank.

The results of the assessment were consistent with the key SDS themes, which when implemented are expected to:

• generate more jobs
• improve poorer people’s ability to obtain housing, food, and clothing
• promote greater access to basic services such as education, health services, and safe water supply

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