The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) today joins humanitarians around the world in celebrating the World Humanitarian Day (WHD) – highlighting the importance of delivering life-saving assistance to people in need, no matter who they are, no matter where they are, and no matter what the circumstances, in line with this year’s theme: “#NoMatterWhat”.
The celebration focuses on humanitarians’ work of protecting and saving lives at all times and in all places, with particular emphasis in war-torn areas in honor of the 22 humanitarian workers who lost their lives in 2003 — 20 years ago – as they were carrying out their mission in Baghdad, Iraq.
“It is PRC’s commitment to be always first, always ready, and always there for our fellow Filipinos – fellow humans – who are in need of emergency medical services, blood services, the basic necessities of life, and other life-saving and dignity-promoting services during emergencies and disasters, including armed conflict,” PRC Chairman and CEO Dick Gordon said.
“Humanitarian workers, volunteers, and communities across the globe demonstrate incredible resilience and selflessness. They rush toward danger when others flee, extend a helping hand to those who have lost everything, and tirelessly work to alleviate suffering in the midst of chaos. Their actions exemplify the essence of ‘No Matter What’,” Dr. Gwen Pang, PRC Secretary-General, said.
As the foremost humanitarian organization in the Philippines, the PRC has demonstrated the values of malasakit (compassion), kapwa-tao (humanity), and kusang-loob (volunteerism) in its 76 years of existence. Some of PRC’s notable responses to people affected by conflict are its Marawi conflict response, in 2017, and its Zamboanga siege response, in 2013.
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