The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) on Tuesday, 31st January launched its 50th Year Anniversary celebration (1962-2012) on the theme, ‘Celebrating 50 years of the power of humanity’.
Speaking at the British Council hall in Freetown, Chair of the Celebration Committee, Alhaji M.A. T. Foday said the SLRCS is the oldest and largest humanitarian organization in Sierra Leone. He maintained that they are celebrating to bring hope to the most vulnerable people whom they serve.
The Chair, disclosed that during the Society’s last General Assembly held in Bo, a Celebrations Committee was set up to which he was appointed as Chairman.
Mr. Foday gave a rundown of activities that the SLRCS will embark on ranging from a March past, candle night, thanksgiving services, grand dinner and awards night, quiz competitions which will cut across the country.
SLRCS Secretary General, Emmanuel Tommy in his statement referred to the Bible’s definition of Jubilee as a year of liberation and freedom.” For us at SLRCS we want to use this celebration to tell our stories, to reflect on where we come from, and what we hope to do in future,” he said.
Giving a brief background of his organization, the SLRCS Scribe explained that the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society was formed in Sierra Leone following the outbreak of influenza in 1918 during which time several wives of the British colonial officials formed a social welfare organization to combat the epidemic.
The Secretary General explained that in 1924, the organization began taking care of mothers and children and in 1937 it was established as a branch of the British Red Cross and in the 1950s created divisions in Bo, Makeni and Kenema districts. He said the Sierra Leone Red Cross is one of 188 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in the world. He said the society is celebrating the lives of those illustrious people who have contributed to the work of the SLRCS.
Explaining their work in the country, Mr. Tommy said that during the war his organization was the major player in providing relief to displaced persons. He thanked their partners both local and international for their support.
He informed the audience that the Government has set up a Committee for the domestication of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
A representative from the British High Commission, Kenneth Williams said the SLRCS is well known for humanitarian activities. “The SLRCS’s efforts have been lauded following the war in Sierra Leone,” he noted.
Joseph Sinah from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs noted that SLRCS has lived with its commitment to work with the government in the provision of relief and rehabilitation services to displaced people as well as the establishment of a tracing mechanism to relocate lost family members. The organization, he said has worked towards the development of Sierra Leone and has been one of the successful organizations in the country. Mr. Sinah assured the organization of his Ministry’s continued support and collaboration to work in achieving their desired goals.
Officially launching the year-long celebrations, SLRCS President, Edward Ngnandi said his organization was visible during the war. He said they have been doing their best in terms of furthering the society’s ideals which is based on humanitarianism. He concluded by thanking all volunteers for giving life to SLRCS at the community level.
By Abibatu Kamara
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