By Foday Moriba Conteh
To observe the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and to honour the Founder Henry Dunant, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has on Saturday 8th May, 2021 joined the world to commemorate World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day with the theme: “Together We Are Unstoppable” , which is an annual celebration of the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement that is celebrated on 8 May each year.
The event commenced with a float parade which started at Aberdeen Road Junction and ended at the Family Kingdom in Freetown where various statements were delivered by stakeholders present.
Delivering a statement, on behalf of the Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Yusuf Kamara, Director of Resources Mobilization and Communication, Sierra Leone Red Cross Society noted that World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is observed on May 8 each year to commemorate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
He added that the World Red Cross Day 2021 theme is appropriately named ‘Unstoppable’ this time stating that it has been named in view of the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and how volunteers and frontline workers around the world are sharing strength with those in need relentlessly during this time.
“While most of them are asked to stay at home, a few brave ones are out there on the streets selflessly aiding those affected by the virus and we are celebrating these unstoppable heroes and we will continue to rightly celebrate them every day,” he underscored.
Yusuf Kamara maintained that the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement is comprised of 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies with 160,000 local branches and has around 14 million volunteers worldwide adding that in Sierra Leone, the National Society is supported by 18,000 volunteers.
“So today on World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day we say thank you to our 18,000 volunteers who give their time and apply their skills to make their communities safer, more resilient, and more inclusive,” he expressed gratitude.
On behalf of the leadership team of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, he used the opportunity to thank their partners in and out of Sierra Leone, especially the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the British Red Cross, Finish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross, International Committee of Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent and Qatar Red Crescent; NDMA, WFP, CRS and ISDB for supporting the course of action of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
Head of Delegation representing the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Society, Alhaji Abu, maintained that on the 8th May every year, they celebrate the unwavering compassion and commitment of millions of volunteers and staff around the world who provide life-saving assistances and ensure that people in need can live with greater resilience and dignity.
He pointed out that their volunteers and staff use local solutions to address the needs of vulnerable people where ever they are, wherever they may be and whatever they may need and that they are truly grounded in the local community where they understand the culture, languages and needs and are best placed to develop local solutions with support from the National Headquarters.
“Going forward, in the face of new emerging diseases and an increasingly volatile global environment we need to build a more coherent and resilient Sierra Leone. We all know that any individual, family or community, can be easily torn apart because of its vulnerable points. Hence, we must strengthen all sectors of our society, including the vulnerable to ensure that we remain a stable and robust nation,” Alhaji Abu enjoined.
Volunteer Coordinator, National Disaster Management Agency, Francis Kandeh commended the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society for the strides they have been taking as a society in making communities safer, more resilient and more inclusive.
He assured them of the Agency’s continuous support towards supporting the course of action of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.
In his presentation, the Director of Programs and Operations, Nelson Nyandemoh, said the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society is the world largest humanitarian network, with 3 main components which includes the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 192 national societies which he said are acting before, during and after disasters & health emergencies to meet the needs and improve lives of vulnerable people, furthering that they persuade decision-makers to act at all times in the interest of vulnerable people.
He noted that as a Society they are guided by seven fundamental principles which include humanity, impartiality, neutrality, unity etc. noting that the movement supports communities to become stronger & safer and to recover from crisis through development projects and humanitarian activities.
Underscoring the role of public authorities to the movement, Nelson Nyandemoh said public authorities can help the Red Cross through the following: legal recognition, Safe Access, understanding and implementing Resolutions of the IC, funding and financial concessions-tax exemptions & beneficial rates from Govt. services such as petrol & telecommunications; land or office space, licenses to NS to provide fee-based services-FAT and annual subventions.
