Red Cross farewells a pioneer in the Red Cross family
03/07/2013 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society said its farewells to a outgoing Head of Delegation of the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies, Bob McKerrow who will be retiring from serving the Red Cross after 43 years.
The farewell event, which was held in Colombo, was participated by many dignitaries from the Government, Diplomatic communities and fellow humanitarians.
Addressing the gathering, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Tissa Abeywickrama, appreciated the service rendered by Bob to the society and especially to the world at large.
“A true humanitarian who has a big heart and a person who actually are from the people” said the Director General.
Special messages appreciating the service of Bob was made by the Programme Coordinator of the IFRC in Sri Lanka Keti Khurtsia, while a special mention of Bob’s service to the recent Indian Housing Programme of the Red Cross was made by the 1st Secretary of the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka Justin Mohan.
Meanwhile, Vice President of SLRCS Bharatha Jonikkuhewa handed over a special appreciating plaque, representing the President of SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe.
IFRC’s Dushyanth David – Head of Support Services also handed over a ceremonial gift to the outgoing head of Delegation.
Robert James “Bob” McKerrow (born 21 March 1948), a native of New Zealand, is a humanitarian, mountaineer, polar traveler, writer and poet. He currently works as Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Sri Lanka.
Since the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck on 26 December 2004, McKerrow has worked in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, coordinating Red Cross programmes for people affected by the Tsunami.
He was Editor of the New Zealand Adventure Magazine in 1989 and 1990, and continues to write and contribute photographs to various magazines, websites, and blogs. He has published a number of his poems in the New Zealand Alpine Journal and North & South Magazine.
Recently we interviewed Bob about his work and about his experience in the 43 years to the Movement.