Following the initial appointment of Mr. Tiofilusi Tiueti to lead the development of Tonga’s national contingency plan, aimed at enhancing the country’s financial preparedness for natural disasters, the Pacific Catastrophe Risk Insurance Company (PCRIC) is pleased to announce the engagement of Mr. Benjamin Pereira to lead Samoa’s contingency planning efforts. This appointment reflects PCRIC’s continued commitment to supporting the Pacific region in strengthening its disaster risk financing frameworks.

With more than 25 years of experience in both the public and private financial sectors, Mr. Pereira has held notable positions, including Assistant Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa. He also served as Assistant Chief Executive Officer for the Economic Policy and Planning Division, and completed a two-year secondment with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

With the financial backing of the Global Shield Solutions Platform (GSSP) and managed by the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, this initiative further strengthens PCRIC’s efforts to provide effective disaster risk financing solutions. The goal is to ensure timely insurance payouts that effectively reach vulnerable communities in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Commenting on these appointments, PCRIC CEO Mr. Aholotu Palu said:

“Mr. Pereira’s extensive expertise in financial governance will play a key role in strengthening Samoa’s resilience against climate shocks. We look forward to the valuable contributions he will make in helping Samoa enhance its preparedness for future climate-related events.”

Dr. Annette Detken, Head of GSSP, commented:

“We are proud to support PCRIC’s efforts to strengthen financial preparedness in the Pacific through targeted contingency planning. The appointment of Mr. Pereira is a significant step forward for Samoa’s disaster risk financing strategy. Through the Global Shield, we are committed to ensuring that timely, effective financial protection reaches those who need it most — when they need it most.”

The contingency planning process for Samoa will be highly collaborative, involving key stakeholders to validate funding assumptions, fine-tune response timelines, and establish operational triggers for the swift release of disaster-related funds.