Apia, Samoa – 30 June 2025 – A Samoan official who was on a ten months training on agricultural research and innovations in Israel has returned home safely after diplomatic efforts to move her out safely in the middle of the war between Israel and Iran.
Ms. Polino Falevaai who works for the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (SROS), arrived home safely on Saturday 28 June, after traveling with other Pacific Island students to Cairo to board a commercial flight to Dubai.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade collaborated closely with the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions for assistance and inclusion of Ms Polino Falevaai in the repatriation flights for their citizens.
Following attempts by mission staff in Tel Aviv of both countries to have Ms. Falevaai moved to Jordan to board connecting flights to UAE, she eventually made it to Cairo early hours Wednesday morning and onto a commercial flight to Dubai.
After hours in transit, Polino continued her trip to Sydney and onto Nadi, Fiji. The Samoa High Commission in Suva organised for her accommodation, airport transfers and meals while in Nadi for an overnight stay.
Ms. Falevaai boarded her final flight to Apia on Saturday at noon. Her family has been kept updated through the Ministry and are quietly happy and thankful she is safe and finally home.
Ms Falevaai with other Pacific island students who were on the training through the MASHAV program, under Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, in collaboration with the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade acknowledges the kind assistance and coordinated efforts of the governments of New Zealand and Australia in trying to provide safe evacuation options from Israel; and Mr. Vincent Schmidt in Israel who was instrumental in keeping daily contact with Polino and connecting to Samoa’s Embassy in Belgium and the Ministry for logistical support.
Ms Falevaai was on the training through the MASHAV program, under Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, in collaboration with the Arava International Centre for Agricultural Training (AICAT).
During the program, not only did she gained hands-on experience and international exposure in advanced agricultural practices but also competed in a project presentation competition alongside peers from around the world.
Her outstanding work earned her the Dean Grant Award for Best Business Plan Presentation, making her one of only nine winners selected for this honour.
