“Innovation is key when working towards self-sustainability” – Secretary General of IFRC

01/03/2016 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies Mr. Elhadj As Sy, who’s on a three day official visit to Sri Lanka says that in the much challenged world of humanitarian assistance, its vital for National Societies like the Sri Lanka Red Cross to be innovative and creative in its quest to be self sustainable.

He made these observations during a field visit to the Gampaha Branch of the SLRCS.

The Secretary General who’s on an official visit after an invitation by the President of SLRCS Mr. Jagath Abeysinghe earlier during the day paid a visit to the National Headquarters of the Society in Colombo. Here he met with the staff of SLRCS.

Afterwards he met with the President of SLRCS to hold bilateral discussions on how further strengthen relations between the two organizations.

Later on the staff of SLRCS briefed the Secretary General about the humanitarian activities and challenges of the society.

Soon afterwards the Secretary General visited the Gampaha Branch where he was given a presentation of how a branch of SLRCS is working towards self sustainability through new innovative processes. Here the Secretary General was given an overview of one of the key programmes of the branch – the water safety programme.

He was then taken to the field to show a demonstration of saving lives.

In the latter part of the day the Secretary General took part in a joint staff meeting of the staff of SLRCS & IFRC. Here the Secretary General took the opportunity to explain certain challenges faced by the humanitarian world. The staff was also given the opportunity to ask questions from the Secretary General.

The Secretary General of IFRC was joined by the Chief of Staff & Director of the Secretary General’s Office Mr. Jagan Chapagain, The Head of IFRC Cluster in South Asia Mr. Leon Prop, The Head of Delegation of IFRC Sri Lanka Mr. Igor Dmitryuk, the Director General of SLRCS Mr. Neville Nanayakkara and the Deputy Director General of SLRCS Mr. Sudath Madugalla.