Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The primary objective of the Pacific Islands Regional Leadership visit November 4-7, 2025, was to commit 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.

Through its strong network of volunteers, donors and partners, the Red Cross is always there in times of need. In the coming year, it will be focused on growing a local volunteer roster that builds a culture of readiness through volunteer engagement, training, and public education.

The agency is grateful to 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.

The delegation began with a visit to the Governor’s office to meet with Governor Pulaali‘i Nikolao Pula to share Red Cross priorities and how they 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,” the regional leaders said.

One highlight ofther visit was the Red Cross support for Military & Veterans when the delegation 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.

Earlier in October, the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, alongside incredible volunteers and community partners, took action to protect families from one of the most common and devastating disasters: home fires. Through their Sound the Alarm campaign, 400 free smoke alarms were installed in homes across Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. That’s 400 opportunities to save lives.

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:

• •          Chair: Starlight Lotulelei
• •          Vice Co-Chairs: Claire Poumele and Gala Ualita
• •          Board Members: Melesio Gurr, Papalii Iakopo Ierome, Agnes Polu, Toloai Ho Ching, and Owen Peery. 

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.