The Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) has vowed to accelerate its efforts in increasing community resilience and building sustainable national capacity to address youth issues among others in the country. The 2nd Vice President of the LNRCS, Mr. David K. Vinton, made the vow at program marking the 153rd celebration of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at a local football stadium in Monrovia. This year's World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was celebrated here on the theme: "Youth In Action."

Delivering a special statement on behalf of the LNRCS during the celebration, the LNRCS 2nd President stated that this year's anniversary of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, "Is a clarion call as a Movement to accelerate our efforts in increasing community resilience and building sustainable national capacity to address youth violence, poverty, rural-urban migration and the need to equip young people with marketable skills."

He noted that the Liberian Red Cross remains a key humanitarian partner in national recovery, adding: "the LNRCS through its recovery programs acknowledges the critical role of youths as agents of change specifically that they are the future of Liberia."

As part of the capacity building of young Liberians, the Liberian Red Cross 2nd President disclosed that his organization through its Child Advocacy and Rehabilitation program since 2005, has been providing basic trainings in various fields, including masonry, welding, tailoring, carpentry, tie and dying, agriculture and pastry to over 1600 young people in 23 communities in Montserrado, Bomi, and Grand Gedeh Counties.

He added that as a means of equipping young women in the country, the LNRCS's Women Integration and Training Program has also trained over 389 young women in cosmetology, pastry, tie and dying, tailoring, catering and among other marketable skills.

He maintained that the Liberian Red Cross is a part of the solution in Liberia, adding: "As a voluntary humanitarian organization with over ninety years experience in emergency relief services, the LNRCS is well placed in the effort to strengthening humanitarian values, promoting peace, reducing poverty and tackling discrimination in Liberia."

However, he pointed out that: "As we commemorate the 153 years as a Movement and 93 years as Liberian Red Cross, the Liberian Red Cross in partnership with the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement stresses that the task of saving lives and changing minds is an important campaign for national recovery and development that requires collective community-based actions."