Head of the Pacific IFRC Office, Kathryn Clarkson and the Marshall Island's Jack Niedenthal Photo: Giff Johnson
The head of the Marshall Islands Red Cross hopes to fast-track his country's membership of the over-arching international federation.
Jack Niedenthal, who became secretary general a month ago, said the local organisation, which was founded in 2013, still doesn't meet all the requirements to be recognised.
He said the process could take several years, but he wants to get all the pieces in place by the time the international federation holds its global assembly later this year.
He said he wants to show the body how serious the Marshalls is about getting membership.
Mr Niedenthal said the local Red Cross still received funding, training and technical support from the international federation, but formal recognition would afford greater opportunities.
If accepted, the Marshall Islands Red Cross would be one of the last countries to be accepted into the federation, which already has 190 member nations.
