Md. Arifur Rahman

Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has celebrated “World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day” with colourful events. 

Emphasizing the importance of engaging oneself in humanitarian service by upholding the seven fundamental principles of the global Red Cross Red Crescent movement, this year’s theme was determined as “Beside Humanity, Together.”

On Thursday morning, the day’s program began with the hoisting of the national flag, the flag of the Red Cross Red Crescent movement, and the Red Crescent flag at the society’s national headquarters. The chief guest at the event was the Chairman of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Major General (Retd.) Professor Dr. Md. Azizul Islam. On this special day, a colorful rally was brought out from the national headquarters by releasing doves and balloons, symbols of peace. The rally concluded at the Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College premises. More than 1,000 youth volunteers and staff of all levels of the society participated. On the occasion of the day, the chairman of the society distributed prizes among the winners of wall writing, quiz, and essay competitions organized for the volunteers. At the same time, he inaugurated a voluntary blood donation program organized by the Red Crescent Blood Program at the medical college premises.

In a brief speech on the occasion, the Chairman of the Society, Dr. Md. Azizul Islam, called upon the youth volunteers to take the organization founded by Jean Henry Dunant forward with a commitment to humanitarian welfare through collective effort. He said, “We are working with a zero-tolerance policy against past mismanagement, irregularities, and corruption to operate the Red Crescent, always engaged in humanitarian service, with honesty, dedication, and impartiality.”

At the time, the Society's Honorable Vice Chairman Dr. Tasnim Azim, Board Member Muhammad Saidur Rahman, Dr. Sheikh Abu Jafar and Dr. Mahmuda Alam Mitu, Secretary General Dr. Kabir M. Ashraf Alam ndc, Deputy Secretary General Sultan Ahmed, directors of various departments, and officials, youth volunteers, and representatives of IFRC, ICRC, and Partner National Societies from all levels of the society were present.

Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, was born on May 8, 1828, in Geneva, Switzerland. Every year, this day is celebrated globally as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in respectful memory of this great man. In that continuation, like 191 countries of the world, the day is observed with due dignity and importance in Bangladesh as well. Alongside the national headquarters, the day is also celebrated by 68 units of the Red Crescent across the country.