World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was marked on Friday, celebrating volunteers, staff, governing board members and supporters of the Samoa Red Cross under the global theme “United in Humanity.”

The commemoration highlighted the role of volunteers in delivering humanitarian assistance across Samoa and reflected on the organisation’s long history of community service and disaster response.

The Red Cross Samoa’s Secretary General, Namauluulu Tautala Mauala, spoke to the Samoa Observer about the meaning of the day and the importance of protecting humanitarian principles in practice.

“This year's Red Cross Day in Samoa is a tribute to the unwavering commitment of all our members,” Maula said. “It is our call for all to uphold and protect humanitarian action, ensuring that neutral, independent and impartial support will continue to reach those people most in need, wherever they may be.”

Maula also reflected on the culture of volunteering in Samoa, saying it is deeply rooted in family and community life.

“We have all been born into the life of a volunteer at home. When something happens next door to you, there’s an urge for you to go and help these people,” Mauala said.

She said her own pathway into humanitarian work began through community service, including orphanage work and blood donation efforts that later connected him to the Red Cross movement.

“Because I used to work at a laboratory at the Ministry of Health, part of our work was to look for blood,  so the Red Cross came into the scene. It was a good opportunity to work with the community,” she said.

Mauala said the organisation’s core mission remains focused on reducing human suffering through practical support such as first aid, training and blood donation services.

“I think that’s the essence of this work. It’s all about alleviating human suffering,” she said.

She added that the impact of volunteer service extends beyond material contribution.

“It really makes your day knowing that you have done something good, you have made a difference to the lives of those who are suffering,” Mauala said.

The Secretary General also emphasised that meaningful humanitarian work does not depend on financial resources alone.

“Money is not everything,  the strength, the skills and the know-how that you are blessed with is something you can give back,” she said.

The observance also reflected Samoan cultural values of collective responsibility, particularly during family and community obligations.

“When there’s a fa’alavelave at home, our extended family will come together, it’s because of humanity,” Mauala said.

The Samoa Red Cross was originally established as a branch of the New Zealand Red Cross before being revived as an independent national society in 1980 with support from the international Red Cross network. It has operated in Samoa for more than seven decades, focusing on disaster response, health services and community resilience.

Despite ongoing challenges, including limited resources, Mauala said the strength of the organisation lies in its people and communities.

“We don’t worry so much about what we don’t have, because the community is a great resource,” she said.

The event reaffirmed the Red Cross Movement’s principles of humanity, neutrality, independence and impartiality, and underscored continued efforts to ensure assistance reaches vulnerable communities across Samoa.