Samoa National Provident Fund (SNPF) members will soon have access to their accounts at the touch of a button, courtesy of a new mobile application developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.

The development of the smartphone app was made possible through the commitment of the UNDP in partnership with the Samoa Government – through the SNPF – with the project coming under the auspices of the One UN Social Protection for Resilience Joint Programme.

The Social Protection programme will provide assistance to the tune of USD$55,000 or WST$146,080 to support the development of the Fund's IOS and Android-based mobile app.

The SNPF and UNDP earlier this month signed an agreement to formalise this assistance which will boost financially-inclusive social protection measures for improved reach and coverage of the population. 

The Fund's CEO Pauli Prince Suhren expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the UN agency.

“We are exceedingly grateful for this partnership with UNDP that assists us in our vision for a prosperous today and a secure tomorrow," he said in a statement. 

"As we continue to make headway with our digital transformation initiatives, completely reengineering the way we interact with our members, having this app in place is a pivotal step in the right direction."

The app will enable SNPF members, specifically the beneficiaries of social protection benefits, to access information pertaining to their SNPF account, contributions and social protection accounts.  The app will also allow members to register online for existing and new social protection benefits.

The UNDP Assistant Resident Representative (Governance and Poverty Reduction Unit), Christina Mualia, said the assistance will empower the Fund to enhance its services to its members. 

“UNDP, through this assistance, aims to support the citizens of Samoa under this joint programme to further empower SNPF to enhance its service delivery to its beneficiaries, ensuring no one is left behind,” Ms Mualia said in a statement.  

Social protection or social security is a human right and is defined as a set of policies and programmes designed to reduce and prevent poverty and vulnerability throughout a person’s life cycle.  It includes benefits for children and families, maternity, unemployment, employment injury, sickness, old age, disability, survivors, as well as health protection.