Sri Lanka Red Cross Society assures support for those in need

On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, which falls on the 8^th of May, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) will be joining a global celebration of the work and bravery of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, and the diverse humanitarian services they offer in communities everywhere.

?Our volunteers live in the communities they support, from the smallest and most remote villages to the largest cities?, said Jagath Abeysinghe, President of the SLRCS. ?Our services are tailored for local needs and are delivered in local languages. Today? is? when? the? International? Red? Cross? and? Red? Crescent? Movement? comes? together? to? thank? our? volunteers? who? give? their? time? and? their? expertise? here? in? Sri Lanka? and all? over? the? world?.

The ?Sri Lanka Red Cross Society reaches nearly 300, 000 people every year with a range of services tailored to local needs. From disaster management, post flood and recovery assistance, community based health activities, dengue prevention, first aid and restoring family links to the promotion of Humanitarian Values and Principles, it helps? people? to? prepare for, cope with, and recover from crises.

Every year, around the? world,? the? Movement? supports? many? millions? of? people? affected? by? conflict,? natural? disasters? and other? emergencies,? through? its? network? of? around? 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.

?Around the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement reaches out to the most vulnerable in all types of contexts – from responding to needs in disaster and conflict situations, to providing assistance in urban centers and remote areas, and advocating on behalf of those in need in policy circles and to Governments?, said Claire Meytraud, head of the ICRC in Sri Lanka. ?But our approach is universal, guided at every turn by our Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality?

Gerhard Tauscher, the IFRC representative in Sri Lanka said: whatever? you? are? living? through? – a? natural? disaster,? a? health? crisis,? the? effects? of? conflict? or? violence – we? are? here? to? support? you.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated every 8 May – the birth date of the Movements founder Henry Dunant.? It recognizes the bravery and dedication of volunteers and staff members around the world. 2018 is the 190^th anniversary? of Dunant?s birth, mirroring the 190 National Societies providing humanitarian support in communities large? and? small? every? day.