20 May 2013

Samoa disability group welcomes link-up with SPC

7:22 pm on 20 May 2013

A national disability advocacy organisation in Samoa says support from the Secretariat of the Pacific Community provides a huge boost given their work encounters many challenges.

The SPC has signed a four year memorandum of understanding with the Pacific Disability Forum to work on better addressing disability issues in the region.

Nuanua O Le Alofa was established in 2002 to provide support to people with disabilities, and for advocacy work in Samoa.

It is also a member of the Pacific Disability Forum.

Faatino Utumapu says they are still short of funding and resources, lack technical capacity and there is still a need to raise awareness on disability issues as disabled people are still vulnerable to abuse.

"The SPC has been around for so long, and it's really interesting to see that its all about recognition of the role of disabled people's organisations, and I'm really appreciative of the roles and the partnership that has been set up as it will create more and more opportunities."

Faatino Utumapu says close to 5,000 people in Samoa live with some sort of disability.