A New Zealand Red Cross nurse is leaving for the Solomon Islands tomorrow (Wednesday 14 June) to assist the
International Red Cross in the strife-torn Pacific nation.
Marianne Whittington, of Auckland, will join two other representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), who are working to ensure civilians are protected from the on-going disturbances in the Solomons.
The ICRC is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation whose mission is to protect the lives and dignity of
victims of war and internal conflict, and to provide them with assistance.
A trained nurse, Ms Whittington will primarily provide first aid and health assistance to any victims of t he current
disturbances.
Ms Whittington has previous experience with the Red Cross, working in Sudan, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Hersegovina, Thailand,
and Angola.
She is expected to be in the Solomons for about two months.