With a network of two million volunteers, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) reaffirmed its commitment to bring smiles to the humanity by helping save lives, in celebration of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2018 on May 8.
The Philippine Red Cross, under the leadership of chairman and senator Richard Gordon, joined the global celebration of the courage of volunteers and its diverse humanitarian services.
Ensuring the adequacy of blood supply, providing relief, shelter, and livelihood assistance to communities affected by disasters, and upholding the public’s safety and health through its rescue and medical assets are just among the humanitarian services being provided by Red Cross volunteers.
“Volunteers serve as the organization’s backbone and ensure that whatever the community is living through—a natural disaster, a health crisis, a conflict—we will continue to be the lifeline of the people,” Gordon said.
The Philippine Red Cross has been active in providing much needed humanitarian services to Marawi City evacuees during the armed conflict, and to those affected by the recent eruptive activity of Mayon Volcano.
It also provided the same crucial service to those affected by Typhoon Vinta (Typhoon Tembin) which was the deadliest tropical cyclone to strike Mindanao since Typhoon Pablo (Typhoon Bopha) in 2012. Typhoon Vinta almost wiped out a residential village in Mindanao in December 2017.
PRC recently celebrated its 71st year of service, which marks the renewal of commitment to alleviate human suffering and uplifting human dignity.
In 2017 alone, the Philippine Red Cross reached more than 883,616 persons in disaster response and early recovery, 167,556 persons in disaster preparedness, and 657,405 persons through long-term and development programs.
PRC has continuously expanded its logistical capacity, highlighted by the M/V PRC Amazing Grace, a humanitarian vessel that can serve as an ambulance and a disaster response ship.
Its major services include Disaster Management, Safety, Welfare, Blood, Health, Volunteer, and Red Cross Youth,
Every year, around the world, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement supports millions of people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies through some 14 million volunteers and 450,000 staff.
Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are as diverse as the life-saving services they provide through 190 National Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). This local action is supported by the global reach of IFRC, ICRC, as well as partnerships with sister National Societies across the world.
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated every May 8 – the birthdate of the Movement’s founder Henry Dunant. It recognizes the bravery and dedication of volunteers and staff members around the world.