Health
Red Cross Commemorates 163rd Anniversary, Calls For Humanitarian Unity
Mr Adeaga Oluyemisi, National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, has urged Nigerians to remain united in humanity, warning that division weakens disaster response efforts during crises and emergencies across communities nationwide.
Oluyemisi made the appeal in Abuja during the 163rd anniversary celebration of World Red Cross Day, emphasising that unity strengthened every hand reaching out to support vulnerable people everywhere globally.
“We are here celebrating the 163rd anniversary of World Red Cross Day, which marks the birth of Henri Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross worldwide.
“This service commemorates the establishment of humanitarian service, regarded as the first organised humanitarian movement worldwide.
“We continue receiving support through volunteers dedicated to helping vulnerable people affected by crises,” he said during celebrations.
Oluyemisi said Red Cross volunteers provided humanitarian assistance without expecting payment, adding that they remained committed to bringing hope and relief to needy people regardless of circumstances, religion, ethnicity, language, or social status.
“Our work is not limited by borders, language, or status, because suffering does not ask for identification before it arrives,” he said while urging citizens to embrace compassion and humanity in everyday interactions.
“We should be united for humanity and we should be humane because that is what brings unity to humanity,” Oluyemisi said.
He added that kindness remained the foundation of societies enduring difficult situations peacefully together.
“When we act with compassion, we remind each other that dignity belongs to everyone, not just the fortunate few,” he said, stressing that humanitarian values strengthened peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among communities nationwide.
According to Oluyemisi, unity guarantees a conflict-free society and environment where citizens see one another as neighbours instead of enemies, thereby reducing violence and creating opportunities for peaceful coexistence and national development everywhere.
“Humanitarian work is therefore not only about aid after crisis, but about preventing crisis through shared respect,” he said while calling for stronger collaboration among communities, organisations, governments, and humanitarian agencies nationwide today.
Oluyemisi said that no single organisation could address humanitarian challenges alone, stressing that effective disaster management depended on coordination among government institutions, non-governmental organisations, local communities, and international development partners globally.
“We rely on partnerships to pool resources, share expertise, and avoid duplication of effort.
“When agencies communicate openly, aid reaches faster and fewer people fall through the gaps.
“Our volunteers are the backbone of this system. They give time, energy, and skill without expectation of reward, often working in dangerous conditions,” Oluyemisi said while hailing their sacrifices and commitment to humanity.
“Their courage reminds us that service is not measured in money, but in the lives touched and restored,” he said, adding that humanitarian workers continued inspiring hope among people affected by disasters and conflicts.
According to him, the anniversary also renewed the organisation’s commitment to neutrality, impartiality, and independence, principles that enable Red Cross workers to provide assistance fairly without discrimination during humanitarian emergencies and conflicts worldwide.
“These principles allow us to operate where others cannot, to speak for those without a voice, and to deliver aid without discrimination.
“Let this 163rd anniversary be more than a ceremony. Let it be a call to action for every person listening,” he said, urging citizens to support humanitarian causes and vulnerable people across communities nationwide.
Also speaking, Ms Rhoda Samande, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, said the organisation operated programmes targeting grassroots communities and vulnerable populations nationwide.
Samande said the organisation trained grassroots residents in first aid and emergency response skills, encouraging beneficiaries to transfer acquired knowledge within their communities to improve public safety and humanitarian preparedness among citizens nationwide.
“We have other training and we have women’s clubs, and we train those women’s clubs to return to their localities and disseminate what we have already taught them.
“Like when it comes to child abuse, violations against youths and girls, we have carried out many programmes for them. So we do not have any fears concerning that,” Samande said.
Samande added that the organisation also supported internally displaced persons through humanitarian programmes and conducted follow-up activities to ensure beneficiaries replicate acquired knowledge and continue supporting vulnerable individuals within their communities nationwide.
In her remarks, Ms Doris Doueihy, Head of Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Nigeria, said the event celebrated volunteers of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movements worldwide.
Doueihy said representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, International Federation, British Red Cross, and Norwegian Red Cross gathered as partners and family members to commemorate the annual humanitarian celebration together.
“We are here to celebrate each and everyone who is willing to help people in need,” Doueihy said, noting that humanitarian demands continue increasing globally in spite of shrinking financial resources available for humanitarian interventions worldwide.
“Humanitarian needs are huge today more than ever. We all know that humanitarian funds are shrinking around the world,” she said while highlighting increasing pressure on humanitarian agencies responding to emergencies globally and within Nigeria.
“So the humanitarian needs are huge everywhere. In Nigeria, the same. We are all trying our best to respond to the needs, although we cannot completely fill the existing humanitarian gaps,” Doueihy said.
According to her, humanitarian agencies continue collaborating with government institutions and development partners to improve responses addressing the needs of conflict victims, displaced persons, and vulnerable populations across affected communities in Nigeria.
On insurgency responses, Doueihy said the organisation provided comprehensive humanitarian interventions in several Nigerian communities where Red Cross volunteers and branches operated, delivering emergency assistance and psychosocial support to victims of conflicts nationwide.
“Our response goes from emergency response, food, non-food items, water, shelters, psychosocial support, to weapon contamination awareness,” she said while outlining humanitarian interventions delivered to conflict-affected communities and displaced persons across Nigeria.
“We have a complete response. Malnutrition is included, as well as anything related to emergencies and natural disasters affecting displaced people and communities living with consequences of conflict,” Doueihy said.
Also speaking, Dr Awan Muhammad, Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent, said the annual celebration recognised volunteers and staff for their humanitarian contributions globally.
Muhammad said the organisation acknowledged the sacrifices and contributions of volunteers working across Nigeria and other countries, noting that their dedication remained the major significance of the annual World Red Cross Day celebration.
“We are responding in all natural and man-made disasters. Across 33 states, we are addressing displacement, health, shelter, sanitation, food insecurity, livelihoods, food items, and non-food items.
“Essentially, the day is just to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers of the Nigerian Red Cross,” he said, assuring that the organisation would continue supporting humanitarian activities and vulnerable populations across Nigeria and beyond consistently.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru