BRCS marks World Humanitarian Day

Manama, Aug. 21 (BNA): Secretary-General of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society (BRCS), Dr. Fawzi Abdulla Amin, has called for doubling efforts to provide relief aid to victims of wars and disasters across the world, noting that the BRCS is exerting tremendous efforts in order to maintain Bahrain’s leading status in humanitarian work at all levels. In a statement marking the World Humanitarian Day 2016, Dr. Amin said that the world is witnessing the worst humanitarian situation since World War II as a result of successive wars and disasters, explaining that UN figures indicate that about 130 million people in 40 countries are in dire need for assistance in order to survive, and that more than $ 21 billion are needed to meet their urgent needs. He expressed regret over the fact that many needy countries are in the region because of the on-going wars and natural disasters, which, he said, "doubles our humanitarian responsibilities towards the brotherly victims in those countries." The World Humanitarian Day is an annual reminder of the need to act to alleviate the sufferings of vulnerable people. It is also an occasion to honour the humanitarian workers and volunteers toiling on the frontlines of crises, he said. He pointed out that UN has launched the "World You'd Rather" campaign to raise money for the organisation's emergency fund or CERF and to enroll the support of individuals worldwide as Messengers of Humanity. The BRCS chief said that BRCS, as a one of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world, had received messages from the presidencies of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on the World Humanitarian Day. They lauded the efforts of humanitarian workers and volunteers, including humanitarian aid workers who stand on the front lines of wars and disasters, braving tremendous dangers and difficulties to deliver assistance to those who need it most.