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The
tragic reality and sheer scale of the tsunami disaster has resonated
around the world. The numbers of dead and displaced are staggering.
The graphic images of the aftermath have highlighted to all
who have seen them nature’s random fury. However, in times
of natural disaster, the true nature of humanity is revealed
through community volunteers lending a hand to those less fortunate.
More than 22,000 Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers have participated
in tsunami relief and recovery operations, often working in
the most difficult circumstances imaginable.
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p-IDN0258)
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The
vast Red Cross Red Crescent volunteer network was combined
with global Red Cross Red Crescent infrastructure to bring
relief to tsunami-affected populations. Often, as many roads
were completely destroyed by the walls of water, the only
way to bring relief to communities was by air or sea –
a task made even more difficult by the damage caused to some
airstrips. Given that millions of people were affected by
the emergency, the size of the logistical task for the volunteers
who give their time freely to help others, was enormous.
Photo: International Federation (p12653)
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Because Red Cross Red
Crescent has so many volunteers – almost 100 million
in 181 countries – often communities will have sufficient
volunteers and resources to respond to natural disasters when
they occur. Clearly, the tsunami emergency of December 2004
was a tragic exception. Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers
from the communities themselves, from the local regions, from
across entire countries, and from throughout the world came
together – united by grief and concern for those affected
but also united by the desire to lend assistance to those
whose lives had been damaged by the tsunamis.
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation (p-THA0045)
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Nowhere
is the power of humanity more starkly illustrated
than through the spirit of volunteerism. To lend a
hand to another person who is in need, without expecting
anything in return is the hallmark of the Red Cross
Red Crescent volunteer. In many tsunami-affected counties,
volunteering is a way of life. There can be no doubt
that these proud and resilient Red Cross Red Crescent
volunteers, through their humanitarian actions have
alleviated human suffering, indeed saved lives, on
a massive scale.
Photo: Yoshi Shimizu/International Federation
(p12563)
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| News |
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Video
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 30/05/2008
- Indonesia
Nias community learns how to prepare for future disasters
Dozens of children crowd excitedly around Juwita Kristina Zebua, a 24-year-old Indonesian Red Cross volunteer in Nias. They watch with fascination as she demonstrates cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid using mannequins.
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Disaster management
