The predicted effects of climate change on Samoa include: i) increased frequency and severity of extreme rainfall events; ii) increased frequency and duration of droughts; iii) rising sea levels; and iv) increased frequency of extreme wind events such as gusts and cyclones. The problem that the proposed LDCF project seeks to address is that climate change is expected to result in losses to lives, livelihoods and assets for local communities in Samoa. Cyclone Evan – which struck Samoa in December 2012 – resulted in at least five deaths, displacement of 7,500 people and damage to over 2,000 houses. Losses to livelihoods (e.g. crops), damage to road infrastructure and disruption of water and electricity supplies also occurred. The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) estimated the costs of reconstruction at US$200 million with a further US$70 million required for human capital.The solution to the above-mentioned problem is to adopt an economy-wide approach to climate change adaptation in Samoa. This will allow for increased integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk management into national development planning and programming across all sectors. In addition, the climate resilience of local communities – including their physical assets and livelihoods – must be strengthened. Barriers to climate change adaptation in Samoa include: i) fragmentation of efforts on climate change adaptation; ii) focus on “project-by-project” approaches rather than “programmatic” approaches; iii) limited capacity at the local level for climate change adaptation; iv) inherent vulnerabilities of communities, their assets and their livelihoods; and v) weak monitoring and evaluation of past and on-going projects.The project will contribute to overcoming these barriers by: i) strengthening institutional capacity within the government; ii) enhancing inter-ministerial coordination of climate change adaptation; iii) promoting the inclusion of climate change concerns into development strategies across all sectors; iv) climate-proofing of communities' physical assets; v) introducing more climate-resilient livelihoods options; and vi) sharing lessons learned and best practice on climate change adaptation across the Pacific region. The Implementing Entity is the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Responsible parties include the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Women, Communities and Social Development, the Land Transport Authority and the UNDP.