Mamnoon asks PRCS to aim for ‘one home, one volunteer’

Islamabad
President Mamnoon Hussain Wednesday advised the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) to set the target of ‘one home, one volunteer’ all over the country as being a disaster-prone country, Pakistan needs trained community volunteers to cope with natural and man-made disasters.
The president was addressing a ceremony organised in connection with World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day which is being observed all over the world under the theme ‘Our Principles in Action.’
Addressing the ceremony, Mamnoon said, selflessness is the very spirit of volunteerism and it must be promoted under the teachings of Islam. “Every volunteer should follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who not only cared for his fellows but also for those who were against him,” he said. Quoting the Quran, he said, “He who saves one life, is as though he has saved the entire humanity.”
The president said, when guided properly, our youth can achieve what the volunteers of the PRCS have accomplished, and thus stand tall amongst the comity of the nations. He complimented the entire staff, volunteers and management of PRCS for their services to humanity and assured government’s continued support to the Society in its mission.
Speaking on the occasion, PRCS Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi thanked the president acknowledging the PRCS volunteers’ competencies and contributions and motivating them to bring further laurels for the Society and indeed to Pakistan. He said, PRCS being part of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is celebrating World Red Cross Red Crescent Day to rededicate its services to serve humanity. He said, PRCS has acceptability with everyone and everywhere in Pakistan; be it FATA, Awaran or the no-go areas in urban centres, the staff and volunteers of PRCS are welcomed with open arms. “These volunteers come with different skill sets, are extremely motivated and are invariably the first to reach a scene of a disaster and the last to leave,” he added.
Later, the president inaugurated the Mohtrama Fatima Jinnah Auditorium at the PRCS Headquarters, and cut a cake to mark celebrations of World Red Cross/Red Crescent Day. Others who spoke on the occasion included Minister of State for Health Saira Afzal, PRCS Secretary General Ghulam Muhammad Awan, ICRC Head of Delegation Reto Stocker and IFRC Head of Delegation Ghorkhmaz Huseynov.
The ceremony was attended by ambassadors of different countries, PRCS managing board, representatives of movement partners, partner national societies, staff members of PRCS and a large number of volunteers.