Grant

Other countries that will benefit from these grants are Kiribati, Solomon Islands, and Tonga. 

According to a statement from ADB, the support comes from the fourth phase of the Pacific Disaster Resilience Programme and will provide Kiribati with an $8 million grant, Samoa with a $10 million grant, Solomon Islands with a $5 million grant and a $5 million loan, and Tonga a $10 million grant.

All four countries have made strong progress on building the resilience of their institutions, which build on the previous phases of the programme.

The Chair of the group Georgina Lui said the grant was a strong recognition of the work the NGO does to eliminate violence among Samoan families.

In the past, SVSG received funding from other organisations but Lui said that with the grant given directly from the government, they can do much more.

"Fortunately for us, it's a broad spectrum grant," she said.

The project will upgrade the Central Cross Island Road in Upolu island by building 8.4 kilometers (km) of footpaths and establishing 18 streetlights, 18 safe bus stops, and 11 pedestrian crossings. The project will finance routine maintenance for three years after the completion of the upgrade, as well as boost the capacity of Land Transport Authority staff and other government officials in project management, procurement, gender aspects, safeguards management, and public communications.

Prime Minister Tuilaepa thanked Prime Minister Abe for the Japanese assistance provided to the critical sectors of Samoa over many years. In addition, the leaders agreed to strengthen sports and people-to-people exchanges.

Prime Minister Abe hoped to work with Prime Minister Tuilaepa for the implementation of Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy.