The sound of drums echoed through the hall, capturing the spirit of Africa. The rhythmic melodies of the Soweto Choir, with its members colourfully dressed in their traditional costumes, added an inspiring touch to the 149th World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day celebrations in South Africa.
The South African Red Cross Society, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, celebrated this event on 8 May at the Pretoria Country Club, re-affirming their commitment to alleviating human suffering and calling for “Action Beyond Borders”.
This year’s theme, “Together for Humanity”, highlighted the power and strength of acting together to provide support for those in need and to protect human dignity.
During this festive affair, the South African Red Cross Society launched a 90-day campaign to promote respect for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s emblems.
The campaign, which celebrates the passing into law of the Red Cross Act in South Africa, aims to combat the misuse of the red cross and red crescent emblems. To raise funds for this campaign, the South African Red Cross Society has called for support for its fundraising drive, the digital “Humanity Chain” (www.humanitychain.org).
“The Red Cross Red Crescent has something that protects it and is identified with its humanitarian mandate – the emblems,” said Mandisa Kalako-Williams, South Africa Red Cross Society Secretary General-Designate, in her address. “Where people are threatened by conflict, hunger, disasters, disease and various forms of discrimination, the sight of the red cross, red crescent and red crystal brings hope.”
In August 2007, President Thabo Mbeki passed the South African Red Cross Society and Legal Protection of Certain Emblems Act 2007 into South African law. The act formally recognizes the National Society as an auxiliary to the public authorities, and provides statutory protection for the emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Kalako-Williams described the passing of the law as a “moment of triumph” for her organization. “In addition to restoring the credibility of the world’s best known symbol of hope, the Government of South Africa gave us a tool for the legal recognition of the South African Red Cross Society as an official auxiliary to the state – a vital relationship in the execution of our humanitarian mandate,” she said.
Furthermore, Francoise Le Goff, head of the International Federation’s southern Africa zone, pointed out: “This cooperation is a unique model in the region and is very inspiring to all other National Societies and their governments.”
January 2008 marked the one year anniversary of the coming into effect of the Third Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions, which introduced a third protective emblem in the effort to end proliferation. Three emblems - the red cross, red crescent and red crystal - are now in use. They are globally recognized symbols of assistance for those affected by armed conflicts and natural disasters.
“The respect and protection of the emblems is of utmost importance to the ICRC as it is through the protection that these emblems afford us in the field that we are able to ensure respect for human dignity”, said Catherine Gendre, head of the ICRC regional delegation for southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.
All three emblems stand for the strict neutrality of the Movement’s humanitarian work. According to Gendre, the recently added symbol of the red crystal - which is free of any religious, cultural or political connotations - will strengthen the protective value of the emblems and make the Movement even more universal.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is not only the birthday of its founder, Henry Dunant, but also a day to remember that no boundaries can stop the activities and actions of the Movement. “It is commonly accepted that the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of humanity are the same, regardless of their race and nationality,” said Le Goff.
Looking ahead, Le Goff said that the International Federation was working to meet challenges linked to the region’s difficulties, which combined to make people more vulnerable to poverty. The International Federation has treated the African continent as a priority since 2006.
The upcoming 7th Pan African Conference of the International Federation, which will bring together 53 African National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and their partners, “will take stock of present achievements and challenges, particularly in the areas of health and care, HIV, food security, climate change and migration,” she said.
The event will be held in South Africa from 19-22 October 2008 and is hosted by the South African Red Cross Society.
|
 |
 |
|
|
The sound of drums echoed through the hall, capturing the spirit of Africa. The rhythmic melodies of the Soweto Choir, with its members colourfully dressed in their traditional costumes, added an inspiring touch to the 149th World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day celebrations in South Africa. (p17595)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
The South African Red Cross Society, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, celebrated this event on 8 May at the Pretoria Country Club, re-affirming their commitment to alleviating human suffering and calling for “Action Beyond Borders”. (p17596)
|
|
News
