Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) is joining today all members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and International Committee of the Red Cross to mark World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This is in honor of the work of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, and as well as the acknowledgment of their great humanitarian services they provide for local communities everywhere.
The slogan “BeHumanKIND” this year more comes as out of the awareness of the need for all people to show kindness and compassion among each other and instill some hope and humanity into people’s minds. This comes in the light of harsh conditions and multiple crises experienced by the world over the past years that spared no one and hit the most vulnerable people the hardest, from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to the climate crisis, as well as escalating international conflicts and humanitarian emergencies.
Thereby, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement adopts a general trend toward highlighting acts of kindness everywhere. No matter how big or small, they have an impact on the mind of other people, make a big difference in their lives and motivate them to help themselves and others.
Commenting on this occasion, HE Ambassador Ali bin Hassan Al Hammadi, Secretary-General of QRCS, said: "Together with the global humanitarian family, we celebrate this international occasion. It is an opportunity to highlight the humanitarian role of QRCS and its position in the community and the international humanitarian movement. This is by our endeavor to provide all forms of support for segments that are in need of help, whether at the levels of health care, social assistance, relief, or development.”
Every year, QRCS reaches out to more than 7 million people every year, with a wide range of services tailored to the local needs. From emergency relief, medical care, food, water, and shelter to disaster resilience and livelihood, it helps the populations to prepare for, cope with, and recover from disasters. Mr. Al Hammadi pledged, "We will continue to work for humanity regardless of color, religion, race, or language, inspired by our slogan ‘Saving Lives and Preserving Dignity’".
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated every 8 May, the birthdate of the Movement's founder Henry Dunant. Every day, 192 National Societies give humanitarian assistance to their local communities. Around the globe, millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff members are deployed to help more than 690 million people per year. They offer numerous and constructive humanitarian services without bias or discrimination, inspired by the seven Fundamental Principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.
In a statement, Jagan Chapagain, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), recalled the words of Henry Davison, former President of IFRC and a humanitarian leader: "The world is bleeding, and it needs help now."
The statement added: "Over the years, IFRC has evolved alongside the communities we support. We have adapted our ways of working, expanded our expertise as different vulnerabilities and stressors emerge, and have been agile enough to pioneer and then mainstream new approaches to humanitarian support… None of this work would be possible without the kindness of our 14.9 million Red Cross and Red Crescent community-based volunteers. On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day… we will encourage people around the world to believe in the power of kindness and "BeHumanKIND". The world is still bleeding. It still needs help. But there are nearly 15 million reasons to believe in kindness, and to have hope."
Source: Government of Qatar