150 years of humanitarian action of the Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement celebrated in Gilgit
Gilgit, May 15 (PR): Pakistan Red Crescent Society Gilgit-Baltistan (PRCS) observed 150 years of humanitarian action of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement with great zeal and zest by organizing a glorious and colorful event in the regional capital on Wednesday. The event was sponsored by the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) through PRCS national headquarters Islamabad which was attended by various high officials from government departments , leading NGOs and PRCS Managing Committee members, staff and prcs volunteers.
“We are celebrating this event in recognition of the valuable services of our selfless and dedicated volunteers who have been rendering their extraordinary services to improving lives of the most vulnerable segments during war and peace time, said Asif Hussain Chairman PRCS Gilgit-Baltistan while delivering his key note address on the occasion” He said the idea of volunteerism was drawn from Hennery Downan a Swiss trader after the Salfrinio war in 1859 and established the ICRC in 1863. There are more than 187 national societies of Red Cross and Red Crescent working under the global movement of volunteerism following the seven fundamental principles, Humanity, Impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary services, unity and universality he added. The chairman highlighted the humanitarian services rendered during disasters in Gilgit Baltistan by PRCS despite enormous challenges and that has been very much appreciated by IFRC, UNDP, NDMA and international community. He appealed the national societies to come forward and extend helping hand to this remotest corner of Pakistan which has been declared most volunerable region by seismologists because of its unique geographical location.
“PRCS left no stone unturned in providing relief to the victims of disasters at regional level and we being son of the soil highly acknowledge their services rendered for the vulnerable communities in different capacities, said Sher Jahan Mir Chief Executive of the Karakurum Cooperative Bank Gilgit-Baltistan in his speech. He said Karakurum Cooperative Bank will get benefits of First Aid from PRCS for its staff to train them for emergencies and provide fully support to PRCS for this purpose.
Mir assured to look for opportunities to support PRCS for resource mobilization for PRCS and attract donors to invest in remote mountainous communities of GB.
