The Independent State of Samoa, known as Western Samoa until 1997, is made up of nine volcanic islands, two of which - Savai'i and Upolu - make up more than 99% of the land. It has the world's second-largest Polynesian group, after the Maori. The economy revolves around fishing and agriculture, which is vulnerable to cyclones and disease (BBC, 2020).
After a major measles outbreak last year that infected approximately 5,600 people and killed 83 people, Samoa was quick to respond to the threat from COVID-19. It swiftly closed its borders and quarantined anyone entering the country, as well as announcing a state of emergency on March 21, 2020. The country currently still has no confirmed COVID-19 cases (World Bank, 2020).
Funding opportunities
Related articles
The UK Space Agency is delivering a series of webinars to promote the capabilities and impact of its GCRF-funded International Partnership Programme. These programmes use space technology to tackle...
By Lota Creencia, Karen Madarcos & Edgar Jose – Palawan is a narrow archipelagic province located southwest of Manila in the Philippines. In 1990, it was declared UNESCO Man and Biosphere...
The MOBILISE project brings together experts from University of Salford with local agencies...
Global Challenges Research Fund
We help UK and international researchers and innovators address the key issues affecting developing countries.
Newton Fund
We build research and innovation partnerships with countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America to support social and economic welfare, tackle global challenges and develop talent and careers.