31 Mar 2009

US Navy ship to visit two Tongan islands

3:45 pm on 31 March 2009

Tonga's islands of Lifuka and Foa will receive a visit in August from a US Navy ship, bringing a team of doctors, veterinarians, dentists and engineers.

Matangi Tonga online says the group will also conduct a medical and civic action programme.

Called the Pacific Partnership Mission, the ship will also visit Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands.

The Mission was initiated in 2004 in response to countries hit by the 2004 Asia tsunami.

The planned visit in the Pacific countries is the first since the initiative was launched.