Fine Tu’itupou-Arnold, has become the first person of Pacific Island descent to be elected as a member of the Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent during an international conference last month in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Secretariat of the Standing Commission, Erica Junod, told Matangi Tonga today 7 January, that Fine will serve a 4-year term (2019 – 2023).

The Standing Commission acts as the trustee of the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

Fine, who grew up in Tonga, is a Humanitarian Lawyer, and is the General Secretary for the Red Cross in the Cook Islands.

On her facebook post, she said she was delighted and honoured to be elected to the Standing Commission.

“Really though, this is a victory for small island states, for women and for our young people. I have embraced the idea of ‘diversity in action’ and I believe my platform and message found favour with states and national societies across the world. In many ways, I was in the right place at the right time.”

She said her election means a voice at the table for small island states and national societies, which gives her "a chance to share our perspectives; in some ways we struggle, but in others we offer a view of the humanitarian challenges and possible solutions that will help the [International Red Cross and Red Crescent] Movement in its transformation".

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement [2] is a global humanitarian network of 80 million people that helps those facing disaster, conflict and health and social problems.

It is made up of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Background

Fine's sister, Edna Tu'itupou, told Matangi Tonga that Fine is the youngest daughter of Lelea Tu’itupou (aka Tongi) from Nukunuku and Mele Mataiasi Lomu of Kolomotu’a.

She attended GPS Longolongo, Queen Salote College, New Plymouth Girls High School for Form 7, and USP Law School in Vanuatu.

She is passionate about humanitarian work and she has been a backbone in voicing issues relating to the Pacific at international level. Fine is married to a Cook Islands lawyer, Mr Tim Arnold, and they have two sons.