Elizabeth Mosima
12 May 2008
Week-long activities to mark the 61st World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day and the 45th Cameroon Red cross Day ended with a gala night in Yaounde last Saturday.
Organised by the Cameroon Red Cross, the event brought together members of government, diplomatic corps as well as invitees. The gala night was organised under the patronage of the First Lady of the Republic, Mrs Chantal Biya. The occasion was presided over by Mrs Fadimatou Cavaye, special representative of the First Lady. The day was an occasion for the members of the Cameroon Red Cross to draw attention on people who suffer from violence, draw up an inventory on the different challenges faced and reaffirm their engagement to work together for humanity. The theme for this year's celebration was: "Together for humanity".
Reading a message from the First lady, Mrs Fadimatou Cavaye congratulated the members of the Cameroon Red Cross their services rendered to humanity. She called on them not to relent in their efforts in order to attain the objectives of saving humanity. The President of the Cameroon Red Cross, William Aurélien Eteki Mboumoua, recalled the activities of the Cameroon Red Cross for the past year notably the efficient intervention by the volunteer workers in the Far North Province concerning the case of influx of refugees from neighbouring Chad and the intervention of Cameroon Red Cross volunteers at the Kenya Airways crash at Mbanga Pongo. According to him, the work of the volunteers was made possible through assistance from the International Community of the Red Cross (CICR).
The Cameroon Red Cross, according to the president, renders services with the barest equipment to protect them and help in movement. He said in the face of these difficulties, the Cameroon Red Cross must inspire confidence and be able to render efficient services throughout the national territory to help vulnerable persons in pertinent domains. To attain these goals, the Cameroon Red Cross must have adequate human resources and infrastructure among others. He used the occasion to call on the audience to support the Emergency Humanitarian Fund so that it will enable the supply of material to facilitate movement of volunteers among others. Prior to the gala night a march was organised along the streets of Yaounde to mark the day. Red Cross volunteers, school children and officials marched carrying flags and placards to sensitise the population on the need to serve humanity.
Apart from the march past, other humanitarian activities organised during the week included free screening for diabetes and hypertension, exhibitions, as well as award of certificates of participation to volunteers.
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