Red Cross Red Crescent Leaders discuss on better humanitarian response in future disasters
09/09/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: Leaders from Red Cross, Red Crescent National Societies of South Asian countries gathered in Colombo to discuss on how to further strengthen on humanitarian action in times of disasters in the region.
South Asia amounts to 1/3rd of human population of the world, and most of the disasters in the recent past have focused on this region. Red Cross, Red Crescent Leaders from all 7 SAARC nations were present at the event.
President of Sri Lanka Red Cross (SLRCS) Mr. Jagath Abeysinghe speaking at the meeting said that it is vital that all National Societies in the region coming together to collaborate on behalf of the most vulnerable in their hour of need.
“In the modern world its very hard for us to walk alone, so meetings like this brings our strength and abilities together so that we can bank on each other to ensure a better Red Cross, Red Crescent response”
Meanwhile the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sri Lanka Mr. Subani Nanday, who attended the event as a guest speaker hailed the partnership created between the UN and with the Sri Lanka Red Cross in the humanitarian context.
Addressing the gathering he reiterated the comments made by the President of SLRCS in ensuring a stronger and united partnership not only within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement but also with other Humanitarian Organizations such as the UN.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health Dr. Amal Harsha also graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. He too spoke about the importance of Governments & Humanitarian organizations walking in one line so that the end result would be to better serve the people of their respective nations.
During the two-day event, Leaders will discuss issues in disaster management, health and care, firs aid, disaster response, mitigation & climate change.
Seated From L – R – Mr. Dev Ratna Dakwa (Secretary General of Nepal Red Cross), Mr. Sanjeev Thapa (Chairman of Nepal Red Cross), Prof. Dr. M. S. Akbar MP (Chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent), Mr. Subiney Nandy (UN Country Coordinator of Sri Lanka), Dr. Amal Harsha (Additional Secretary of Ministry of Health), Mr. Jagath Abeysinghe (President of Sri Lanka Red Cross), Mr. Abdulla Ali (President of Maldivian Red Crescent), Mr. Tissa Abeywickrama (Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross)
Standing from L – R – Mr. Simon Missiri (IFRC Head of South Asia Regional Delegation), Dr. Mahaboob Sardar (Secretary General of Pakistan Red Crescent), Mr. Mohammed Naim Dindar (Secretary General of Afghanistan Red Crescent), Mr. Mozharul Huq (Secretary General of Bangladesh Red Crescent), Mr. Abdul Razak Ibrahim (Secretary General of Maldivian Red Crescent), Ms. Sofia Stoimenova (Head of Corporate Affairs of IFRC Asia Pacific Zone)