President Sirleaf Proclaims The Month of May, Red Cross Red Crescent
The President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by proclamation declared Saturday, May 1 through 31, 2015 as“Red Cross Month” and May 8, 2015 as World “Red Cross Red Crescent Day” to be observed throughout the Republic as a Working Holiday.
The Proclamation is in recognition of the World Red Cross Red Crescent Movement commitment to rendering relevant and timely services to distressed and needy people throughout the world in time of trouble, sickness, war, natural calamity, and other forms of disasters. The Proclamation noted that after 150 years of its birth. The Red Cross & Red Crescent continues to provide humanitarian services to vulnerable communities and remains committed to doing so.
The Proclamation further noted that after more than 130 years, the devoted Volunteers of Liberian Red Cross have responded to challenges in the various counties, districts and communities with compassion and generosity, including the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus disease from which the nation is gradually recovering.
The Presidential Proclamation mentioned that in the space of the fast changing world, young people will lead positive change as recent surveys indicate that half of the13 million Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers worldwide are youth who are innovators embracing new ideas and technologies faster than any generation before them, acknowledging that thousands of them worldwide have been trained as peer educators in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.
According to the Proclamation, the Liberian National Red Cross Society will this year join the world Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the adoption of the Fundamental principles and their continuing relevance in humanitarian service on May 8, 2015, under the theme: “The Power of Humanity” which will be held simultaneously in the 15 Countries beginning with street parade, mini tournament and climaxing with indoor program. The event will also launch the Red Cross membership drive geared towards raising funds to support the humanitarian work of the Liberian Red Cross.
The Proclamation then called upon all persons residing within the territorial limits of Liberia to observe may 1 through 31 as Red Cross month and May 8, 2015 as World “Red Cross Red Crescent Day” as a Working Holiday. The Proclamation has therefore directed all civic and voluntary organizations and Government Agencies concerned to fully participate in such programs as planned by the Liberian National Red Cross Society to make the occasion meaningful and rewarding.