The efforts and accomplishments of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) in providing humanitarian assistance as the country grappled with COVID-19 were commended by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
IFRC country office head Robert Kaufman said that the PRC is the “setting the standard” worldwide for the humanitarian organization’s testing. He also noted that the PRC - headed by its Chairman, Senator Richard Gordon - is the only society out of 192 that received a letter from IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain acknowledging its “extraordinary accomplishments” on testing.
“I want to express our support globally for the work of the Philippine Red Cross and acknowledge the extra-ordinary contribution they’re making by testing over a million people all throughout the country,” Kaufman said. “And I hope very much that it continues,” he added.
The PRC - setting the standard worldwide for humanitarian organization’s testing - is an accomplishment that is a “critical life-saving action” according to Kaufman. “While we have incredible work in many places, this is one of the extra-ordinary Red Cross societies across the globe,” he said. “They set an example to membership, staff and volunteers all around the world,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kaufman also pointed to the importance of the community’s trust and partnerships - which grow stronger after trust has been gained - in the success of the PRC’s endeavors.
However, Kaufman noted that the PRC cannot do it alone. “It requires partnerships. And those partnerships are essential to success,” he said. “Trust has to be earned everyday with good decisions and the right actions - and PRC is doing that,” he added.
The IFRC, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, aims to inspire, encourage, facilitate and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies, with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering, and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.
Founded in 1919, the IFRC comprises 192 member Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, a secretariat in Geneva and more than 60 delegations strategically located to support activities around the world.