PRCS, ARCS join hands for emergency response, relief services

Islamabad: The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the Afghanistan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) have agreed to jointly work in different areas including Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Integrated Community-Based Risk Reduction Programme (ICBRR), and to set up mobile relief and medical camps on either side to cater the need of people awaiting entry at the time of border closure between the two countries.

PRC Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi shared this piece of information while interacting with the media on his return from a visit to Kabul. Dr. Saeed said that the strategic alliance with ARCS not only allows us to strengthen each other’s capacity to prepare for an emergency, but also helps provide effective response and early recovery of people during a humanitarian crisis. He said, efforts are underway for joint collaboration between the two national societies to setup mobile relief and medical camps on either side to facilitate entry of people at the time of boarder closure.

Talking about new initiatives, Dr. Saeed said PRC is setting up a state-of-the-art Physical Rehabilitation Centre in Islamabad. Secretary General Ghulam Muhammad Awan underscored the need for mutual cooperation between PRCS and ARCS to launch a joint emergency appeal for cross-border returnees and refugees. He said, both societies have agreed to exchange visits of management and relevant staff for experience sharing, capacity building and disaster response initiatives. He said, much can be attained for the betterment of people of both countries through continuous support of Movement Partners.