Myanmar celebrates 2023 World Red Cross Day

The 2023 World Red Cross Day Commemoration Ceremony took place in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister for Health Dr Thet Khaing Win said the World Red Cross Day is celebrated every year on 8 May, which is the birth anniversary of Jean-Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The theme of this year is “Everything we do comes from the heart” and it highlights the true loving kindness and compassion of volunteers across the globe. About 15 million volunteers are participating in the Red Cross movement’s work through its network.
Moreover, the Myanmar Red Cross Society stands as the reserve force of the country protecting and saving the entire people regardless of their religion and social status in every disaster like flood, fire, storm and earthquake along its history.
The significant activities of the Myanmar Red Cross Society are that it participates in national-level protection and response to natural disaster and other emergency cases, conduct disease preventive measures, makes efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, conducts health awareness campaigns, cooperate with international red cross societies and AHA Centre.
Today, it should persuade the youths to participate in red cross movements more so as to keep abreast with the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It also should accelerate the momentum to raise the basic red cross spirit at basic education schools.
The Myanmar Red Cross Society opened 17 model red cross camps with 3,379 members between 1971 and 1988 and 21 camps with 3,237 members between 1993 and 2019.
He then said the government presented certificates of honours to the outstanding members of the Myanmar Red Cross Society. The ministry will provide the required assistance to the Myanmar Red Cross Society.
Then, Myanmar Red Cross Society President Prof Dr Myo Nyunt, Resident Representative of ICRC Ms Elena Ajmone Sessera and Resident Representative of IFRC Ms Nadia Christine Khoury made remarks respectively.
The Union minister and relevant officials also gave prizes to the winners in the competitions of essays and poems marking the 2023 World Red Cross Day.
The members of regional and state red cross societies who served the duties until they reach the age of 65 for Myanmar Red Cross Society were also honoured at the event.
The Union minister and party had a documentary photo taken together with the attendees and viewed around the booths.
The World Red Cross Day is celebrated annually from 8 May 1948 and now it reaches 75 years. — MNA/KTZH