By: Jasmine Netzler-Iose, Govt Press.
Samoa is gearing up for a nationwide clean-up approved by Cabinet and confirmed by Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mataafa earlier today in a Press Conference with local media.
The campaign is part of the on-going efforts by the Government to eliminate mosquito breeding areas across the country and help stop the spread of dengue fever that has already claimed the lives of six children.
The clean-up scheduled to take place this Saturday 16 August 2025, is in addition to ongoing village clean-ups currently being coordinated by the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development she revealed.
On behalf of the Government, Prime Minister Fiame is urging unity across the nation so that the entire country is mobilised to ensure that the clean-up removes mosquito breeding sites and improve environmental hygiene.
“Preventing dengue begins at home, and every action, no matter how small, contributes to protecting the health and wellbeing of our families, our villages, and ultimately our country.”
Meanwhile, the government – funded bulky waste collection, initiated to support national clean-up efforts, started yesterday, Wednesday, 13, and is scheduled to continue on to the 20 and 28 August, and 3 September.
This will be executed alongside the twice-weekly general waste collections from households she said.
“The Government urges all communities and businesses to actively support this national effort.”
According to the Prime Minister this nationwide clean-up effort is the most suitable way to address and respond to the spread of dengue fever in the country.
She said that a nationwide initiative like this was also carried out during the C.H.O.G.M. and was a success.
Then the beautification and clean-up of villages and constituencies was for hospitality reasons as we were welcoming guests to our shores.
This time however it will be our nation working together for ourselves.
Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Ae’au Chris Hazelman also expressed his support of this nationwide clean-up.
And is also calling on the community to join the national effort and to work together to ensure that the nationwide clean-up is a success.
According to Ae’au if there is no clean-up then mosquitos will continue to breed excessively and dengue fever will continue to spread amongst our communities across the country.
And if a clean-up to ensure breeding areas are destroyed doesn’t happen now that would mean the longer the children will be out of school.
Schools have been closed for three weeks now to ensure that the spread of the dengue fever is controlled and the safety of the children ensured.
FUMIGATION
According to the Prime Minister fumigation operations that have been carried out over the past few weeks have been temporarily paused so to prioritise nationwide clean-up efforts.
“Full-scale fumigation, including training, will resume in close collaboration with villages after the clean-up campaign to ensure maximum effectiveness.”
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