The
pride of Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is its volunteerism,
its success of infusing the spirit of service among people without
the discretion of class, colour or creed. PRCS is proud to have
more than 50,000 volunteers attached to its programmes in various
forms, and an impressing 90% (45,000) of these volunteers are
youth below the age of 25. The volunteers are assets for the
Society, and these assets are increased as the volunteers are
given opportunities to learn and develop their skills.
The volunteers are organized through Red Crescent Service Corps
and Red Crescent Clubs. The Service Corps involve volunteers
from different walks of life that include community notables,
schoolteachers, shopkeepers, midwives and housewives. The Clubs,
on the other hand, involve youth from different institutions
and communities.
Spearheading Relief for Tsunami Victims
After the terrible disaster at the conclusion of 2004, the volunteers
of Pakistan Red Crescent Society lead the campaign for Tsunamis
victims. The volunteers went door-to-door to collect donations,
and also donated gifts, food items and donation for the affected.
At a ceremony they presented a tableau depicting the situation
at the time of disaster. The donations collected by the volunteers
may not have been spectacular but they were reflective of the
wish to share the loss experienced by those affected, and a
resolve to help them at this hour of grief.
Volunteerism and MDGs
The National Commission for Human Development hosted an International
Conference on Volunteerism (ICV) in Islamabad in December 2004,
and volunteers and members of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society
attended. The objective of the conference was to enhance the
understanding of the roles and contributions of volunteers as
this relates to the achievement of the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) set by the United Nations. The conference considered
the opportunities and constraints in promoting volunteerism,
and the actions needed to create an environment for volunteer
contributions to each goal. The conference also contributed
to ongoing efforts in Pakistan to facilitate and promote citizens’
participation in development.
International Youth Exchange Programme 2004
Japanese Red Cross Society organized an International Youth
Exchange Programme in Tokyo on November 12-24, 2004. Two youth
members Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Ms. Sidra Shakeel and
Ms. Sonia Iradat, attended. The main objective was to promote
international understanding and friendship amongst Junior/Youth
Red Cross/Red Crescent Members in Asia Pacific region. The participants
made brief presentations about their activities and about issues
that young people face in the society, such as, poverty, conflict,
health issue and other related matters.
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| Pakistan Red Crescent
volunteers at a ceremony. |
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| Pakistan Red Crescent
volunteers presenting a tableau depicting the situation
at the time of the tsunami disaster. |
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| Pakistan Red Crescent
volunteers and members participated in an international
conference on volunteerism in December 2004 in Islamabad.
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