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10 May 2001 Hungary: Action on disabled The plight of the physically and mentally handicapped provided the focus of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day in north-eastern Hungary. Marginalised and neglected, the disabled often face an uncaring world and with 8 May radio, television and newspaper coverage of the efforts of its volunteers, the Red Cross in Nograd, Hungary's poorest county, began a campaign it is determined will lead to change. A local bus company helped start the Red Cross journey on 8 May when, in Nograd's main town of Salgotarjan, volunteers moved in to provide visual aids for the partially sighted in both its terminus and its buses. Confronting the disabled's problems stems from Nograd branch efforts to establish community self-assessment and response in a pilot programme supported by the International Federation's Regional Delegation in Budapest. The programme aims to change public attitudes to the vulnerable and involve those people it wishes to help in finding solutions to their own problems. In Nograd, where the focus has been on the disabled, the Volan bus company listened intently when a 22-year-old Red Cross volunteer, Anita Lorincz, presented the travelling problems of the the handicapped to them. Herself partially sighted, she pointed out that for people with impaired vision boarding a bus, finding the step, and the rails and the hand-straps inside, could be a nightmare. The company responded immediately and the 8 May action came as a result. Work on the buses will continue, as a prelude to a wider advocacy campaign targeting other issues of the disabled. While Anita Lorincz led the day's labour in Salgotarjan, Helena Korhonen, Head of the Federation's Regional Delegation, was in Budapest underlining the essential role of Red Cross volunteers throughout Central Europe. Speaking at the Hungarian Red Cross's annual awards event - where the emphasis this year was on volunteers - she said, "The 350,000 members and volunteers in this country provide support for the homeless and elderly, for children in distress, for people in need who have been hit by the hard consequences of social and economic change. They recruit blood donors, and give blood themselves, they train in first aid and work actively among the youth. They deserve on this day everybody's respect, appreciation and support." She emphasised the work of volunteers in spring flood relief operations in Hungary, Romania and Ukraine, and went on, "They are still there. This very minute they are distributing family parcels to the people most badly affected. Their work does not stop, not even on the day that pays tribute to them." Netherlands: holiday programme On 8 May, the Netherlands Red Cross gathered hundreds of its volunteers in the smallest city of the country – the miniature town of Madurodam. They were there to witness a very special event: the launching of an exact replica of the Red Cross holiday ship J. Henry Dunant. This day marked not only the birthday of the founder of the Red Cross Henry Dunant , but also the 50th anniversary of the Netherlands Red Cross holiday programme. Since 1951, tens of thousands of chronically ill or handicapped people have enjoyed a Red Cross holiday, either on the Red Cross ship or in one of three hotels run by the Red Cross. A holiday that would not be possible without the care provided by so many caring volunteers. The miniature ship in Madurodam underlines the intrinsic role of the Netherlands Red Cross in Dutch society. For Madurodam 'is' the Netherlands, with miniature versions of all characteristic buildings, bridges, sports arena's and infrastructure of the country. The miniature boat sailing through the harbour of Madurodam symbolises how the Netherlands is not complete without the Red Cross. All volunteers were invited to attend the ship launching. They received special thanks from the president of the Netherlands Red Cross, Eelco Brinkman, and also from the 17-year-old mayor of Madurodam, Eveline Vogelesang. Deeply impressed with their work, Miss Vogelesang proclaimed: 'Whether I look at the real Red Cross holiday ship, a hundred metres long, or at the miniature version here, measuring 4 metres, or at the even smaller replica I have at home, they all exemplify how enormously great the work done by the Red Cross holiday volunteers is!' Poland: Red Cross gold rush Poland struck gold on Red Cross Day - 1,960 kilos of it. For almost two months prior to 8 May, a Red Cross campaign in Lodz was collecting gold coins, or rather gold-coloured coins, one, two and five-grosz pieces. Since there are 100 grosz in a zloty, and there are four zlotys to a dollar, they are not big bucks but as the campaign closed last night, almost 2,000 kilos of them meant something in the region of $5,000 had been collected. Enough to pay for a wonderful summer camp for socially deprived children, among other activities. 8 May is always volunteers' day in Lodz. It is the day they party in a deluge of publicity. It is the day the Red Cross ribbon appears. Every public transport driver, every conductor, every supermarket worker, every TV presenter, every cinema attendant, everybody wears one. Thousands upon thousands of them, made by Red Cross Youth volunteers, are distributed and Lodz's best-known personalities turn out to lend a hand. Public donations for Red Cross causes are considerable, although money is secondary to the arousal of public interest. The ribbons were out again this year, and all over Poland, as other towns followed suit. But Lodz had something extra in its Gold Rush. Creches, kindergartens and schools collected gold-coloured pieces. So did a bank (a valued partner), and the drivers of the major taxi firm (another useful partner). Shops lent support. There were collecting boxes all over Lodz and surrounding communities. It was a media event for several weeks. On 8 May, wearing their ribbons, thousands headed for a pool of muddy water the Red Cross had set up. In it were hidden gold rings, one gold $20-piece and untold numbers of waterproof-wrapped gift coupons. For the equivalent of a dollar, you could hire a prospector's pan and pan for gold. By the sound of things everyone struck it. The bank was still counting this morning. Romania: raising awareness No one needs to betold what Red Cross volunteers mean to Romania. With the impact of spring floods still hurting the poorest corner of the country, volunteers remain vital in tending to the greatest needs. Their fast and effective mobilisation is one of the reasons the Romanian Red Cross is considered the government's primary partner in disaster response operations. While Romanian Red Cross President, Professor Nicolae Nicoara, and General Director Victoria Grigore turned the 8 May spotlight onto volunteers in national media, every Romanian Red Cross branch echoed the exercise as they reviewed the year's achievements and challenges in their own press conferences. From 2 to 8 May a series of events across the country raised public awareness of humanitarian values and Red Cross programmes. The promotion of a cleaner environment, healthier lifestyles and first-aid skills were central to many volunteer-run activities. Funds raised at public events, and from the sale of Red Cross pins, will benefit the spring flood victims, orphans and the vulnerable elderly. Armenia: making friends 8 May celebrations in Armenia started early this year. The "Week of volunteers," aiming to promote volunteer activities and to highlight different Armenian Red Cross projects was launched and conducted in the first week of May. The week began with a tree-planting ceremony near the International Post-Trauma Rehabilitation centre of the Armenian Red Cross Society(ARCS). Participants were the ARCS staff and volunteers, Federation and ICRC Armenia Delegation staff. "Trees and the colour green are symbols of life and continuity", says Tigran an ARCS youth volunteer. "That is why our week of volunteers is starting with the hope for better life and prosperity" he continues. Among other activities the "Clean Yerevan" action, which mobilized 150 volunteers, who cleaned the ARCS headquarters and the surrounding area from garbage, watered the flowers and trees. Next was a fascinating evacuation simulation exercise conducted in Yerevan No 87 school. Right after the alarm 900 school children accompanied by 200 staff left the school premises. It took them 2 minutes to empty the place. Then followed a wonderful show provided by response team volunteers, first aiders and "Lore" rescue team members. Three children, in a simulation exercise, were locked in the school's dressing room and evacuated from the 3rd floor of the school. Later first aid was provided and the youngsters were safely transferred to the Red Cross tent situated nearby. "We have made good friends in this school" says Vahag the Central Zone DP co-coordinator "Lots of kids are enthusiastic to visit ARCS and become volunteers, and to learn more about rescue work and first aid" he continues with a smile. Other activities included two contests earlier announced by the ARCS information and dissemination departments. The contest results were released during the May 8 celebrations. The winder of the composition contest among 5th and 6th grade schoolchildren was entitled: "The idea I serve". "It was so difficult for the committee members to choose among the hundreds of compositions received from all over the country" Aida Zargarian dissemination officer says. "However we managed to choose the best works and encourage the other participants to enter future contests. " she continues. Acknowledgements and prizes to the children were handed out during the 8 May celebrations. The information department contest "Volunteers about volunteers" winners were Tamara and Aram. Prizes were given to them for the best article and video material. 8 May celebrations were also marked by words of thanks, congratulations from government officials, Red Cross family members, veterans and volunteers. It was really nice to acknowledge the value of that special day, to see the happy smiles of the volunteers and to realize the great potential. As ARCS acting president Mr. Boshian says "The year of volunteers will not end, it will simply develop and replenish, bringing light to the darkness and hope for the best". Related links Events: May 8 2001 - World Red Cross Red Crescent Day Make a donation |
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Watch
the step: fitting visual aids in Nograd's buses (p6470).
