Friends of the PNG Red Cross Society (PNGRCS), staff and volunteers together with their families gathered yesterday at the Taurama Beach to celebrate the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in recognition of the work and support being put forward by staff and volunteers globally.
The theme for the celebrations this year is #BeHumanKind and with that the PNGRCS is driving the message of kindness to fellow human beings through little acts of kindness and the celebrations yesterday contributed towards sharing kindness.
PNGRCS together with its’ movement partners from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross, put together a day program to commemorate the day.
PNGRCS Interim General Secretary Newton Kiafuli said the Red Cross Society in Papua New Guinea is actively involved in providing care and assistance to fellow humans who continue to face difficulties in disaster-stricken areas across the country as well as the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We all know how much our volunteers have done, to come out of their way to help humanity and in reaching out to those vulnerable people.”
Mr Kiafuli said the PNG Red Cross Society is as old as the country as the movement was first established in the country in 1976 and took the time to appreciate the work of volunteers since its’ inception.
“I would like to take this time to thank those volunteers from 1976 up until now, who have been forerunners of volunteering here in Papua New Guinea, who have been saviors and just a helping hand to those in need.”
“We stand here today because of those who laid the foundations for the way forward,” Mr Kiafuli said.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Communications and Cooperation Manager Ziad Abu Laban said it was important for the day to be celebrated each year in remembrance of the millions of volunteers around the world that have committed and continue to commit their lives towards fighting for the cause of humanity.
“We are standing here today on the 8th of May to celebrate this day but let’s also look back on the history of the movement and think of our colleagues who are alive and those who have lost their lives in this fight for humanity. On this day, we remember our colleagues who have laid down their lives for the benefit of humanity.”
“Only then will we be able to appreciate the fact that we belong to this family,” Mr Laban said.
The PNGRCS operates 13 branches throughout the country with staff and volunteers being actively engaged in providing assistance to mitigate the worst of threats inflicted by challenges such as tribal fighting, natural disasters and the adverse effects of the covid-19 pandemic.
