Pago Pago, American Samoa — Pacific Islands Regional Leadership Visit November 4-7, 2025, primary objective was to commit our Red Cross support to the American Samoa government, local agencies and build partnerships. The America Red Cross in American Samoa offers training, tools, and resources to enhance local emergency disaster response of any size disasters and to support our military service members and their families from enlistment to veterans. The American Red Cross, through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of need. In the coming year, we will be focused on growing our local volunteer roster that builds a culture of readiness through volunteer engagement, training, and public education.
We are grateful Swain’s Island Representative Su’a Alex Jennings, American Samoa CVL Honorary Board Member Vaito’a Hans Langkilde, who helped facilitate the visit of regional leaders Molly Schmidt Regional CEO, Renise Bayne Regional Disaster Officer, and Julie Greenly Regional Service to the Armed Forces Director. The delegation traveled to American Samoa to connect with local team Lipea Uta Sui, Business Operations Coordinator and To’afa Leilani Tu’amoheloa-Tilo, Community Disaster Preparedness Manager, and local Red Cross volunteers Vaelua Esekielu, Jolly Sualevai, Sammyolivia Phillip, Kashi Pandeya, Robert Toelupe, Tu’uga Tinoisamoa, Communications Director for the Governor’s Office, Former ARC Board Member Fatima Langkilde and partners.
During the regional delegation visit, we started with a visit to the American Samoa Honorable Governor’s office to meet with Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula to share Red Cross priorities and how the can align with his focus. The Red Cross delegation was grateful to Swain’s Island Representative Su’a Alex Jennings, and American Samoa CVL Honorary Board Member Vaito’a Hans Langkilde for their collaboration and support during the visits. We met with several members of the Legislature with four House Representatives, including Su'a Alexander Jennings (Swains Island), Ben Vaomu Sauvao (Tualauta), High Chief Fagaima Larry Simou Sanitoa (Tualauta), and Honorable Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr (Ma'oputasi). We also met with community partners Fire Chief Iosefo Palepua, DPS Commissioner High Chief Taagai’afea’i S. Moliga, and local leaders during a traditional welcome ceremony.
One highlight of our visit was the Red Cross support for Military & Veterans when we participated in the TOA Games in partnership with the American Samoa Government Office of Veterans and Military Affairs and meeting with Director Pava Malologa Lagai. The Red Cross hosted the first Veterans Resiliency Workshop facilitated by Vet Center Director and Red Cross Volunteer Robert Toelupe. The Red Cross was busy with daily disaster preparedness trainings on shelter fundamentals and first responder training in collaboration with DOE, DYWA, Fire, Police, Homeland Security, Office of Samoan Affairs, Village Mayors, and the State Territorial Hazard Mitigation Office.
The American Red Cross proudly announces the appointment of new officers to the American Samoa Community Volunteer Liaison (CVL) Board for the 2025-2026 year:
These leaders bring deep commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing the Red Cross mission across American Samoa, including Tutuila, Aunu'u, Manu'a, and Swains Islands. The American Samoa Red Cross CVL Board is focused on ensuring the community is prepared to respond effectively in emergencies, supporting local government and first responders by sustaining operations for 72 hours to 5 days. Guided by the Red Cross’ seven fundamental principles, we aim to care for all residents—including military and veteran communities—with compassion. Key priorities include growing the number of local volunteers, fostering a culture of readiness through engagement, training, and public education. The CVL Board of American Samoa will be facilitated in part by Regional CEO of Pacific Islands Molly Schmidt who stated, “The American Red Cross is deeply committed to our mission, which is to alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies, and we are dedicated to supporting each and every one of you in building healthy, happy, and safe communities.”
Join Us:
Support your community by becoming a Red Cross volunteer. The most valuable thing a person can give is their time. Our volunteers bring a willingness to learn, a desire to help, and their life experiences to help people in their own villages. Whether lending a friendly ear, or stocking supplies in a shelter, whatever your strengths are, there’s a place for you with the Red Cross. 90% of our workforce are volunteers, people deploying down the street or across the country to help out of the kindness of their hearts. The Red Cross office in Tafuna is open daily, or you can complete your volunteer application online at:
https://www.redcross.org/local/pacific-islands/volunteer
Media Coverage:
Additionally, the Red Cross was featured in several media interviews:
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org/pacificislands, or follow us on social media.
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