Frequent disasters pose a critical threat to Indigenous societies, knowledge, and cultures in the South Pacific. This research highlights the urgent need to integrate Indigenous knowledge and women’s contributions into disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies. While much research focuses on women’s vulnerability in disasters, there is a significant gap in documenting their resilience, particularly through traditional roles and practices.

Using Samoa as a case study, this paper explores the role of traditional knowledge in disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and local community structures. Findings underscore the importance of recognizing and valuing Samoan women’s expertise in disaster management, providing crucial insights for developing culturally appropriate and sustainable preparedness strategies.

By employing Pacific research methodologies, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of women’s disaster response capacities and reinforces the importance of Indigenous knowledge in building resilient communities.