[heavy rainfall]
[speaking in Samoan]: My name is Tapusoa Sarasopa.
From the village of Asaga.
62 years of age.
My disability was caused by a car accident, which happened in 2001.
Now I am diagnosed with a spinal cord injury,
and because of that,
now I use a wheelchair to navigate.
[laughter]
My family was heavily affected by the flood, as most of our properties were
damaged, including our guest house.
Even some of our furnitures were also damaged.
[footsteps on concrete floor]
Throughout my entire life, now I am 62 years old,
I had never seen such a strange flood ever happen in my village.
[heavy rainfall and water flowing]
Our concern was the well-being of our children,
as mud from the flood remains in our houses.
What worried us was the outbreak of diseases
following the aftermath of such a disaster.
[heavy rainfall]
There should be a representation of persons with disabilities within the district councils,
as they are the ones who really understand their vulnerabilities and ways of protection
in ensuring they are secured in times of disasters.
[Peau speaking in Samoan]
It's really important for those who are disability
in districts and villages and in families.
The reason why [is] to let them know
what they are going to do when the disaster or anything happen
the environment of the world we live in.
They should understand and know what's the next move they should move.
Person with disability, they should have their voice in the villages' councils.
Currently, our village has no evacuation shelter.
District committees and village councils
should take appropriate measures and take the lead in ensuring early warning systems
and evacuation shelters are fully accessible for all persons with disabilities
in ensuring they are well-protected when preparing and responding to any natural disaster.