Samoa's Parliament will meet tomorrow to consider a supplementary budget to use $US22.4 million of overseas assistance given towards the country's efforts to fight the measles epidemic.
This picture released from UNICEF Samoa shows a girl receiving a vaccine during a nationwide campaign against measles in the Samoan town of Le'auva'a. Photo: ALLAN STEPHEN / UNICEF / AFP
To date, 72 measles-related deaths have been recorded.
The government has said that 93 percent of the population has been vaccinated.
The state of emergency in Samoa, declared due to the epidemic, has been extended to 29 December 2019.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi told media at a special measles-related press conference that lawmakers would decide this week where the money would be spent, the Samoa Observer reports.
His comment comes amid accusations the government is misappropriating the donations.
But Tuila'epa said that was incorrect: "No one can use these funds, not even a penny".
The funds would go before Parliament for deliberation and there would be committee hearings conducted with relevant ministries, he said.
Samoa's parliament Photo: RNZ Pacific /Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Financial assistance includes $US12.8m from the World Bank to manage the measles epidemic and fix the health system over the next five years.
A $US3.5m grant will go towards the epidemic response and a further $US9.3m will be spent up to 2025 on a health sector strengthening programme to focus on disease prevention across the board.
Extension to the State of Emergency effective immediately until 12am - 29 Dec 2019.
— Government of Samoa (@samoagovt) December 14, 2019
Orders issued include conditions on:
- PUBLIC GATHERINGS
- INTER ISLAND TRAVEL
- EXAMINATIONS
- OTHER ORDERS
Read full orders: https://t.co/Urkz5DeMrd pic.twitter.com/fht826MfNf
