President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has proclaimed the entire month of May as “World Red Cross Month” and May 8, 2024, as “World Red Cross Day”, to be observed as a working holiday.
President Boakai has directed all civic and voluntary organizations and government agencies concerned, to fully participate in programs as planned by the Liberian National Red Cross Society to make the occasion meaningful and rewarding.
The proclamation calls upon all persons residing within the territorial limits of the Republic of Liberia to observe the event under the theme: “I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward.”
According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s theme promotes the idea of giving with a sense of joy and recognizing that the joy experienced in the act of giving itself, is a rewarding outcome.
One in every 12 people around the world has received some form of help from the Red Cross or Red Crescent – from in-person psychosocial support to relief assistance in times of disasters and building community resilience that has been so amazing.
The proclamation adds that the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the Liberian Red Cross, aims to broaden the public understanding of the diversity of its work and the universality of its approach and to harness the power of emotion felt toward the Movement.
It is using a simple call to action to generate the feeling or understanding that the Red Cross and Red Crescent network is unparalleled.
The proclamation stresses that the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is recognized under the Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by Liberia and has been committed to rendering relevant and timely services to distressed and needy people throughout the world in times of trouble, sickness, war, natural calamity, and other forms of disasters.
The Presidential Proclamation informs that the events which will focus on highlighting the universal presence and impact of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in humanitarian service, will be held in Liberia’s 15 counties and the Liberian Red Cross will focus on giving and helping others in need, membership recruitment and certification, demonstrating kindness toward humanity, and appreciating those who have offered help and support to people in need.
The proclamation furthers that after more than 150 years of its birth, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement is present in more than 190 Countries around the world and continues to provide humanitarian services to vulnerable communities, and has indicated its commitment to continue doing so now and in the future.
The proclamation also added that for more than 105 years now, the devoted volunteers of the Liberian National Red Cross have responded to challenges in the various counties, districts, and communities with compassion and generosity, and in times of disaster, they deliver humanitarian relief, save lives, and offer hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“As their service has meant so much to many, this month, we renew our sense of common purpose and honor all those whose sacrifices have made our society more prepared and resilient,” the release says.
The Foreign Ministry release says that in the rapid changing world, young people will lead positive change as recent surveys indicate that half of the 17 million Red Cross/Red Crescent volunteers in more than 190 countries are youth who are innovators embracing new ideas and technologies faster than any generation before them, and thousands of whom worldwide have been trained as peer educators in the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
“The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is there for everyone, with neutrality and impartiality; it offers hope and support, and acts as a force for positive change in communities when it is needed the most, and is present everywhere, providing support to the most vulnerable in all contexts from large scale disasters, challenging conflict situations, to remote and hard to reach areas where no other aid organizations have access to,” the proclamation states.
