On the 8 May 2007, The South African Red Cross Society (RC, SARCS or The Society), the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society’s (IFRC) and the 184 member National Societies of the Movement, commemorate International Red Cross Red Crescent Day.
The Movement marks this day by highlighting the role of its staff and volunteers in saving lives and assisting vulnerable communities around the world. The theme of this year’s event is “Together for Humanity”.
This year’s International Red Cross Red Crescent Day underscores the importance and power of partnerships by stressing the need for stronger local and global alliances in order to meet today’s growing humanitarian challenges.
“For us as the Red Cross, we attach great value to the partnerships that enable us to reach the vulnerable communities,” says Ms Mandisa Kalako-Williams, President of The South Africa Red Cross Society.
She further states that harmonizing the good relationship between employed staff and volunteers, strengthens our hand in dealing with all other partners
“ This brings us to the critical relationships between the National Society and the ICRC and The Federation, the three components of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Coordination of our efforts, clear roles and responsibilities are constantly being revisited – to avoid duplication of our efforts and resources. We constantly safeguard, together and separately, the Fundamental Principals* of the Red Cross, which make our humanitarian work very unique. Here, indeed, we show a living example of ‘the power of humanity’, by striving to work ‘together for humanity’ “ she adds.
Across the country, World Red Cross Day is being marked in different ways, and these include:
Eastern Cape
The staff and volunteers of the Eastern Cape Region are focusing mainly on disseminating information about the Red Cross Movement and fundamental principals.
Port Elizabethand East London Branchs will take to popular shopping malls and public spaces to distribute pamphlets and other promotional items.
Uitenhage Branch will march in KwaNobuhle to raise the profile of the work of the society.
Western Cape
The Western Cape Regional Office, based in Wynberg, is hosting 30 senior, and former, members from the different branches, staff from the National Office and members of the SARCS Western Cape Regional Council. They will be treated to brunch and celebratory cake, in recognition for their service to humanity.
Sinobomi daycare centre, an outreach project of the South African Red Cross Society, will provide entertainment to liven the festivities for the day.
Kwazulu-Natal
Newcastle Branch highlights SARCS’s Disaster Preparedness and Management Programme by means of a Disaster Display at Newcastle Library, from the 7 May 2007. Information about SARCS and our other programmes will also be disseminated at this function.
Other activities in the Kwazulu-Natal Region include a Street collection, TB Awareness in Zululand and Distribution of Clothes to those less fortunate.
Gauteng
The commemoration of International Red Cross Day in Gauteng takes the form of a Soccer Tournament Final, to be held on Saturday, 5 May 2006, At Duduza Stadium, from 10am to 5pm. Celebrity guests such as Arthur of 999, Doctor Khumalo and a Speaker from Ekuruleni Council, Will lend their voices in support of this tournament, which not only provides a platform to get young people of the streets, but also involves comprehensive youth development activities such as: Peer Education, Leadership Skills, HIV and AIDS awareness and First Aid.
Soweto Branch hosts a ‘walk for your health, it’s a walk against obesity’ on the 11 May 2007. The walk from Rockville to Openheimer Towers hopes to raise awareness of the branches activities and to recruit new members for the Young Women in Development project.
