Anambra Red Cross Ever Committed To Uplifting Humanity – Prof Emelie
By Monic Okechukwu
Anambra State Chairman of Red Cross Society, Prof Charity Emelie, has appealed to Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who is also the Patron and Father of the Society in the State, to pay attention to rural and disaster prone areas where, according to her, necessities of life Which will keep humanity alive, are not availed to the people.
Prof Emelie made the plea during a Press briefing to commemorate this year’s Red Cross Day usually observed on the 8th of May every year.
The briefing was also part of activities lined up to commemorate this year’s World Red Cross Celebration with a grand finale coming up on Saturday, 11th May, 2024, which will also feature award presentation to the wife of the state governor, Nonye and other Nigerians who have exhibited much support to the Society in the state
She went down memory lane on the origin of the event, which is in commemoration of the birthday of the founder of the Red Cross Movement, Jean Henry Dunant, born on May 8, 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland.
According to her, Henry Dunant assisted abandoned hundreds of soldiers and civilians wounded in the war and faulted inefficiency of sanitary organizations in wartimes, emergency situations and disasters.
This, she noted, led him to develop a vision for a relief society of trained volunteers that resulted in the founding of the Red Cross Society.
Prof Emelie enlightened that the Mission of the Nigerian Red Cross include to alleviate the situation of vulnerable people, including those affected by disasters, epidemics, armed conflicts and the poorest communities.
She further highlighted the operations of Red Cross in Anambra State to include emergency response, First Aid training assessment of disasters and vulnerable communities, donation of relief and essential materials as well as radio programs for sensitization and enlightenment among others.
The State Chairman of Red Cross described the society as the largest humanitarian organisation in Anambra, with a volunteer strength of over 800,000 spread across the 774 LGAs.
“We provide relief in times of disasters/emergencies, we reconnect families separated by crises, we help to rebuild communities devastated by disasters, we promote health and care of the vulnerable people and communities”
She further listed donation of non consumable clinical materials to eleven selected health centers, drilling and reactivation of water projects, the distribution of food items, non-food items, renovation of 50 houses, distribution of N61,000 cash to thousands of household affected by flood in some communities in Ogbaru, Anambra East/West, Ayamelum, Awka North, among others as other major achievements the society have recorded in the state.
She thanked the governor for his support so far and expressed hope that more will come.
Earlier, in his remark, the State Branch Secretary of the Society, Engr Kingsley Okoye, spoke on various humanitarian services embarked on by the State Red Cross and pledged not to relent despite obvious challenges.
In a Vote of Thanks, Vice Chairman of the Society, Prince Chuks Ezedigbo, thanked all present for their support and collaboration including the Federal Roads Safety Corp, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp, DSS, the Media, Man o War, and others, and called for its sustenance to keep humanity alive.
The Motto of Red Cross is, “Through Humanity”, while the theme for this year’s Celebration is, “Keeping Humanity Alive”.
Highlights of the event include cutting of Anniversary Cake
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