Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — As the start of the South Pacific cyclone season approaches, the American Samoa Chapter of the American Red Cross is stepping up its preparedness efforts through a Volunteer Recruitment Drive. The initiative is designed to bolster the organization's emergency response team ahead of the cyclone season, which runs from November through April, and ensure sufficient manpower is available to assist the community during natural disasters and other emergencies.

The recruitment drive officially got underway yesterday with a media outreach campaign aimed at spreading the message through as many communication channels as possible. Red Cross officials met with members of the local media to encourage broad coverage of the initiative and help reach residents across the Territory.

This year's theme, "Why You? It's a Must Right Now!" emphasizes the urgent need for community involvement in disaster preparedness and emergency response. The American Samoa Chapter has set an ambitious goal of recruiting 300 new volunteers to strengthen its capacity to respond to tropical cyclones, natural disasters, and other emergencies during the upcoming season.

In an exclusive interview with Samoa News, Lipea Uta Sui, Business Operations Coordinator for the American Samoa Chapter of the American Red Cross, said this year's campaign marks the first time the organization has launched a volunteer recruitment drive with a specific numerical target.

According to Sui, the local chapter is part of the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region, which is headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii and oversees operations in Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Sui explained that expanding American Samoa's volunteer base has been a major focus of regional leadership since 2025. The initiative aligns with the Pacific Islands Region's long-term goal of strengthening local disaster preparedness and emergency response capabilities through increased community participation.

He noted that the growing unpredictability of weather patterns across the Pacific has highlighted the need for communities to be better prepared for emergencies. Tropical cyclones, severe storms, flooding, and other natural disasters have repeatedly impacted island nations throughout the region, causing widespread damage to homes, schools, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

"We have seen firsthand how quickly weather conditions can change and how devastating the impacts can be," Sui said. "Throughout the Pacific, storms have destroyed homes, disrupted essential services, displaced families, and, in some cases, resulted in the loss of life. That's why it is so important that we build a strong network of trained volunteers who can respond when disasters strike."

Sui emphasized that volunteers are the backbone of Red Cross operations, assisting with disaster preparedness, emergency sheltering, damage assessments, relief distribution, community outreach, and recovery efforts. By increasing the number of trained volunteers, he said, the organization hopes to strengthen the Territory's ability to respond quickly and effectively when emergencies occur.

With the cyclone season set to begin in November, the chapter hopes to recruit 300 volunteers who will help ensure communities across American Samoa are better prepared to face whatever challenges the season may bring.

He explained that while American Samoa and neighboring countries south of the Equator are preparing for the start of the tropical cyclone season, the cyclone season for Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and Hawaii, which are located north of the Equator, is approaching its end. Their tropical cyclone season typically runs from May through October.

Sui noted that recent reports indicate both Guam and Hawaii have faced significant weather threats in recent weeks. Hawaii was impacted by Hurricane Lowell in September, bringing heavy rainfall, flooding, power outages, and damaging winds. Meanwhile, Guam remains under threat from Tropical Storm Champi, prompting typhoon and flood watches for parts of the Mariana Islands.

He said these events serve as a timely reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness, as communities across the Pacific continue to face the challenges posed by severe weather and tropical cyclones.

"With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather events capable of causing widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and even loss of life, there is absolutely no room for complacency," said American Red Cross Business Operations Coordinator, Lipea Uta Sui.

He stressed that disaster preparedness is a shared responsibility and requires the participation of people from all sectors of the community.

"It is imperative that we build a comprehensive and diverse network of volunteers representing the many ethnic communities that make up our Territory," Sui said. "Having volunteers who can communicate effectively within their own communities will help ensure that critical information is disseminated quickly and accurately before, during, and after a natural disaster."

Sui explained that the Red Cross plans to reach out to a wide range of community groups and organizations as part of its volunteer recruitment campaign. These efforts will include engagement with the various ethnic communities residing in American Samoa as well as different church denominations throughout the Territory.

The organization is also seeking the support of the Office of Samoan Affairs, which would assist in mobilizing village mayors, village police officers, aumaga or untitled men's groups, and women's committees to serve as volunteers and support disaster response efforts at the village level.

In addition, local service organizations such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, the American Samoa Fa'afafine Association, and other community groups will be encouraged to participate. The Red Cross also hopes to recruit volunteers from schools, government departments and agencies, local businesses, military reserve units, veterans organizations, and other sectors of the community.

According to Sui, informational flyers containing a QR code have already been distributed throughout the Territory. Individuals interested in volunteering can scan the QR code or visit redcross.org/volunteer to register online.

He noted that the same website also provides access to applications for several high-demand volunteer positions that require additional training and commitment. Interested applicants can complete and submit forms detailing their personal information, qualifications, skills, and professional experience.

Among the positions currently being filled are Disaster Action Team (DAT) members, Emergency Evacuation Shelter Workers, Recovery Care Caseworkers, and Feeding and Distribution Services Associates. These volunteers play critical roles in disaster response by assisting affected families, operating emergency shelters, distributing food and relief supplies, and helping communities recover in the aftermath of emergencies.

Sui said the names of individuals who register as volunteers or apply for specialized positions will be entered into the American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region volunteer database. Applications will be reviewed and monitored by Senior Volunteer Recruitment Specialist Mary Finley, who will maintain contact with applicants regarding training opportunities, orientation sessions, and potential deployment during emergencies.

Those seeking additional information about volunteer opportunities or the recruitment campaign may contact Mary Finley via email at Mary.Finley@redcross.org.

With the tropical cyclone season set to begin next month, Red Cross officials are urging residents not to wait until a storm threat materializes before becoming involved. Instead, they are encouraging individuals to take proactive steps now to help build a stronger and more resilient community capable of responding effectively when disasters strike.