Pacific Partnership mission led by US Navy preps Samoa for mass rescues
Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American sailors and personnel from nine other nations recently wrapped up a two-week exercise in the South Pacific island nation of Samoa as part of an annual U.S.

![Samoa first responders pull simulated casualties out of the water during a disaster-relief exercise in the island nation in late October 2025. The training was part of the annual U.S. Navy-led Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission. [Dana Millington/Australian Defense Department] first responders](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/samoa_first_responders.jpg?itok=IYobcbnB)
![Sir Collin said "we don't seem to have found any way of curbing the rapid rise in overweight and obesity in children and young people.” According to the UNICEF report, the most obese 5-19-year-olds globally live in three Pacific Island nations — with Niue that has a population of 1600 — tops the lot, with nearly 40 percent of children and youth being obese. [Photo: RNZI/Sally Round] We don't seem to have found any way of curbing the rapid rise in overweight and obesity in Pacific children](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/2095_copy.jpg?itok=ChDXA1O2)
![A concerned neighbor contacted the Fagatogo Police Station. [SN file photo] DPS CENTRAL STATION](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/dps_central_station_1_29.jpeg?itok=mNPW0IAp)

![Sapini Unoi and his mother Mutalau have gained thousands of followers on their TikTok account. [Photo: Marika Khabazi] Sapini Unoi and his mother Mutalau](https://samoanews.com/sites/default/files/styles/teaser/public/field/image/6789_jpg_copy.jpg?itok=4OdL-M5S)

