As part of celebrations to mark 60 years of existence, the Uganda Red Cross Society has announced an aggressive campaign that will climax with the launch of a humanitarian fund to support its activities.
Speaking on Tuesday, Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society, Robert Kwesiga said the six month campaign dubbed 'Humanity needs you' will seek to recruit members and volunteers to support their activities.
"There is no way Uganda Red Cross will be sustainable by relying on external partners. It is every day you send your children to the neighbour to eat and you think your family will be safe. If we are looking at the sustainability of Red Cross activities, international funding and donors can't help," Kwesiga said.
He explained that whereas international donors can provide funds, these are earmarked for specific activities and projects where they have interest, noting that other emergencies where they don't have interest might not be funded.
Kwesiga said it is high time Ugandans funded their own.
"At a global level, the big economies are not doing well and when this happens, it cuts across how much they can spend to support those outside their boundaries. If you look at our needs as Uganda, these big powers just give a small drop in the ocean and so in a way, we need to fund our own."
"For example, in Uganda we need a minimum of 450,000 units of blood but last year we collected around 300,000 yet there are many people who want blood. However, there is no international donor who funds blood donation because it is not among their priorities. Disasters are on the increase allover but until they get to the headlines, they will not get the attention of the donors, yet most of the disasters we get are low key. This is why as Ugandans; we need to come in."
The URCS Secretary General said launching a humanitarian fund will ensure they fund their activities while responding to disasters and emergencies in the various parts of the country, other than waiting for donors.
Kwesiga explained that whereas they get funding from government is it not enough to sustain their activities and yet some of the funds come in when disasters have already happened and they can't do much.
"We could do more since there are so many people deserving our assistance to be supported but the resource constrains how we reach out to them. Ugandans can play a role in funding humanitarian assistance programs in their own country, other than waiting for international donors."
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He said that whereas they will not be setting amount for each person to contribute, however small contribution Ugandans make, they will leverage on the magic of big numbers to ensure they reach their target.
"The call is for Ugandans to become Uganda Red Cross members and register as volunteers . We call upon Ugandans to join Red Cross because humanity needs you. It is not only about giving money but if you can offer service, or their time, this can be equated to monetary values. Whichever small amount of money you can, we will use the magic of numbers."
Kwesiga said for transparency and accountability purposes, a trustee will be put in place and an international audit fund to ensure the humanitarian fund is run well.
"We are going to have a mechanism where each person willing can make a payment which goes to a fund which will be having a team of trustees and having international audit firm. Whenever we need to respond or carry out an activity or emergency, the fund will come in handy."
