Together for Humanity: Partners of Red Cross movement joining hands to mark the WRC Day

Nepal has been declared Red Cross Emblem misuse free country. The declaration was made amidst a function organized to mark the World Red Cross Day, 2007 at Basantapur Kathmandu. Every year, World Red Cross (WRC) Day is celebrated by the national societies in 185 countries of the world on May 8, the birthday of John Henry Dunant, the pioneer of Movement. The theme of the WRC Day 2007 was "Together for Humanity".

In Nepal, the WRC Day 2007 was celebrated with different programmes throughout the country. In Kathmandu, Red Cross staff and volunteers rallied from the Open Theatre to Basantapur Darbar Square with banners and placards of Red Cross fundamental principles and movement slogans.

Following the rally, a special public event was organized at Basantapur in which Chairman of Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), Sanjeev Kumar Thapa said NRCS is the largest humanitarian organization of Nepal with its over 9,80,000 members including thousands of volunteers providing humanitarian service all over the country. He added, "The Society has been working together with other humanitarian organizations both within and outside the movement to make the service wider and more effective." Appreciating the support obtained from these organizations at its works, Chairman Thapa pointed out that NRCS aims to continue to lead the humanitarian activities both in times of peace as well as armed conflict and disasters in the country.

Juniors observing the art works prepared by the contestants of "Kathmandu Valley Children's Art Competition"

Declaring Kathmandu free from Red Cross Emblem misuse President of NRCS Kathmandu District Chapter Mukunda Bahadur Pradhan said, "It is only Nepal Red Cross Society which is authorized to use the Red Cross emblem." Similarly, in his welcome speech, NRCS Secretary General Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, highlighted the success of Red Cross Campaign against Emblem Misuse and added that it can also be emulated by other partner societies in South Asia. He expressed a firm hope that this campaign might enhance Red Cross image and its access in humanitarian activities.

Addressing the event at Basantapur, the ICRC Head of Delegates Merry Werntz said "This is the day to share ideas among the volunteers who are ready to serve the vulnerable community at every moment. Similarly, Federation Representative to Nepal Nick Russell said, "In the humanitarian service, including rescue and relief works, all the Red Cross volunteers should work closely together irrespective of geographical and other differences. He added, "Red Cross Day helps us to remain united."

On the occasion, prizes and certificates were distributed to the participants of Kathmandu Valley Children's Art Competition. In the competition participated be 98 students from more than 50 different schools, Supriya Joshi of D. A. V. Shushil Kedia Vishwa Bharati had won the first prize. Likewise, Ashmi Lama of Peace Point Boarding School, Subin Shrestha of Balsewa Secondary School, and Madina Miya of Maryland International English were awarded the second, third and fourth prizes respectively.

Ashmi Lama, one of the contestants who had painted on the theme "Together for Humanity" said, "Through my painting I have tried to express that the power of all lies in humanity and unity".

Demonstration on 'Learn First aid in 15 minutes'

On the occasion, the first aid volunteers NRCS Kathmandu and Lalitpur district chapters organized activities to disseminate information on first aid. A first aid post was also installed at Basantapur where the celebration activities for the day took place. One of the activities that drew public attention was the 'simulation drill' of a motorcycle accident in which first aid activities were simulated. The scene could create such a realistic effect that most people took the event to be real till the end.

After that the First Aid team demonstrated a 'Learn first aid in 15 minutes', activity to deliver the message on first aid to the public. Thus the public got chance to know some techniques on first aid application for bleeding, shock and unconsciousness. It also made them realize the importance of knowledge on first aid.

The World Red Cross Day was jointly organized by the three partners of the movement The International Federation, the ICRC and NRCS. The movement is always in the front line in terms of providing prompt humanitarian service to vulnerable communities of the world.

The enthusiastic participation and wide media coverage of the event have indicated that Red Cross image and its humanitarian work have been deeply rooted in Nepalese minds.