2015年-世界发展银行全球_Samoa___Disaster_Risk_Financing_and_Insurance_50页_9mb

Summary of the SAMOA Country Note on Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance

Core Content

This document provides an overview of disaster risk financing and insurance (DRFI) practices in Samoa, focusing on the country's exposure to natural hazards, the economic impact of these events, and the existing financial mechanisms to manage disaster-related costs. It also outlines options for improving Samoa's DRFI framework and highlights the importance of institutional coordination and financial preparedness.

Key Natural Hazards and Economic Impact

• Natural Hazards: Samoa is exposed to tropical cyclones, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and floods.
• Economic Vulnerability:
  • Ranked 51st out of 179 countries in the Global Climate Risk Index 2012.
  • In 2009, the earthquake and tsunami affected 2.5% of the population, caused 143 fatalities, and led to economic losses equivalent to 20% of GDP.
  • In 2012, TC Evan caused a real GDP decline of 0.4%.
  • Over the long term, Samoa is expected to incur annual losses of approximately SAT 23 million (US$10 million) from earthquakes and tropical cyclones.
  • There is a 50% chance of experiencing losses exceeding SAT 255 million (US$110 million) and a 10% chance of losses exceeding SAT 812 million (US$350 million) over the next 50 years.
• Major Disasters:
  • 2009 tsunami and 2012 TC Evan significantly impacted Samoa's economic growth.
  • The global financial crisis also had a negative impact on economic growth.

Existing DRFI Tools and Practices

• Ex-Ante Tools:
  • Emergency Fund: Established following a disaster declaration, it can receive budget reallocation and donations. It was set up within 24 hours after the request from the National Disaster Committee.
  • Contingency Budget: Equivalent to 3% of the total appropriation bill, available under Article 96 of the constitution. The 2013/14 contingency budget was SAT 16 million (US$7 million), with a 7.2% chance of disaster losses exceeding this amount.
  • Sovereign Catastrophe Risk Insurance: Provides coverage for disasters with a return period of 1 in 20 years. The coverage limit was set at 137% of the contingency budget for tropical cyclones and 89% for earthquakes.
• Ex-Post Tools:
  • Budget Reallocation: Finance can be reallocated from the unforeseen expenditure line to address emergency needs.
  • External Credit: Used to finance recovery and reconstruction, with a focus on grants and loans. Following TC Evan, the government received over SAT 4.8 million in cash donations and significant in-kind supplies.
  • Donor Assistance: Both for relief and reconstruction, though it is uncertain in timing and amount. Donor assistance played a key role in the 2009 tsunami recovery, with SAT 62.4 million received from development partners and private individuals.

Post-Disaster Budget Mobilization and Execution

• Efficiency: Samoa has demonstrated the ability to quickly mobilize and execute funds post-disaster, as seen in the response to TC Evan and the 2009 tsunami.
• Challenges:
  • Confusion exists among MoF staff regarding the correct post-disaster finance policies.
  • Policies are spread across multiple documents, leading to delays in procurement and inefficient resource allocation.
• Recommendation: Consolidate all post-disaster policies into a single document to improve clarity and efficiency in budget mobilization and execution.

DRFI Framework and Regional Context

• World Bank's Three-Tiered Approach:
  1. Self-Retention: Contingency budget and national reserves for small, recurrent disasters.
  2. Contingent Credit: For less frequent but more severe events.
  3. Disaster Risk Transfer: Such as insurance, for major natural disasters.
• Regional Initiatives:
  • The RFA (Regional Framework for Action) emphasizes DRFI as a key activity.
  • The HFA (Hyogo Framework for Action) promotes disaster risk reduction and financial resilience.
• PCRAFI: A joint initiative between the World Bank, SPC-SOPAC, and the Asian Development Bank, with support from Japan and GFDRR. It aims to improve financial resilience against natural disasters through risk assessment and insurance.

Insurance Market Overview

• Non-Life Insurance Premiums: Estimated at SAT 41 million (US$17 million) annually, with a per capita rate of US$90.00.
• Insurance Providers: Four local insurers operate in the market, which is competitive despite its size.
• Offshore Insurance: Businesses in Samoa place insurance with offshore insurers through locally licensed agents and brokers.

Options for Improvement

• Develop an Overarching DRFI Strategy: Align with existing processes to ensure coherence.
• Create an Operations Manual: Detail the procedures for swift post-disaster budget mobilization and execution.
• Establish an Insurance Program for Key Public Assets: To better protect critical infrastructure and public services.

Conclusion

Samoa has made progress in disaster risk financing and insurance, but there are still gaps in policy clarity and coordination. The country is well-positioned to enhance its financial resilience through the development of a unified DRFI strategy, improved documentation, and the expansion of insurance programs for public assets. The involvement of regional and international partners is crucial in supporting these efforts and ensuring sustainable disaster risk management.