BY AUN PHEAP
The Commemoration of the 147th Anniversary of the World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day, under the theme of “Saving Lives – Changing Mindsets”, was held on Saturday May 8th in Phnom Penh, under the presidency of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
This was an important event for the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) as well as the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia as it attests to the common will, determination and effort among all stakeholders to bolster socio-economic development and rescue people threaten by natural disasters.
“Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and myself, I would like to extend my deep appreciation to H.E. Dr. Bun Rany Hun Sen, President of CRC, all levels of management and officials of the organization, Cambodian Red Cross volunteers, as well as donors, national and international organizations for the support and cooperation in implementing humanitarian acts within the framework all strategic plans of the Cambodian Red Cross and numerous achievements have been made. I would like to note that the CRC has been an instrumental force in social development, poverty reduction and the protection of humanity,” he said at the 147th Anniversary.
Prime Minister said that over the last decade, the CRC fulfilled its role efficiently in life rescue missions, response and prevention against natural disasters, diseases e.g. HIV/AIDS, dengue fever, bird fl u, participation in public health services, promotion of the principle and value of humanity, provision of first aid services in community, supply of clean water, early warning system for fl ood, drought and storms, education, reduction of UXOs casualties, and traffi c safety and so forth.
“We acknowledge that the CRC has always faced with daunting challenge in mobilizing human and financial resources, rescue equipments, and other support to respond effectively to the urgent needs of victims,” he said.
However that in spite of some drawbacks, the CRC has received technical, financial and mental support from national and international organizations, domestic and overseas donors, he said, adding that these contributions have always been effective and transparently managed and utilized for saving the victims without racial, sexual, political and religious discrimination.
These donations and kindhearted attitudes reflect mutual care and support of our people during difficult times. Based on critical thinking methodology, this kindness is the spirit inherited from the cultural heritage of our ancestors dating back centuries ago, and this spirit has been flourishing in the mindset of Cambodian people of this generation and has been evolving into the “culture of sharing”, which is the foundation and guideline for the starting of humanitarian activities of the Cambodian Red Cross Movement which is the biggest humanitarian organization in the country since its inception on 18th February 1955.
The increasing demand for natural resources to meet the demand of economic developments of developing countries in the world, characterized by globalization, has triggered climate change and global warming. Given this reality, I am of the view that more disasters of huge magnitude will occur in the future and pose threat to security, safety and livelihood of mankind all over the world. Of that, Cambodian people will not be able to escape from impact of those disasters.
Obviously, disasters such as Ketsana typhoon which occurred in 2009 and the recent cyclone which destroyed houses, property and claimed the lives of our people several weeks ago are clear examples.
“I strongly believe that from now on, the CRC will always be the biggest humanitarian institution in Cambodia and continue to play the role as an effective assistant to the government and active partner to all stakeholders in humanitarian sector to address and relieve all struggles of our people,” he said. “I would like to remind the CRC to continue making the effort to actively and strongly fulfill its mission aiming at making achievements as inscribed in the vision of the CRC for the cause of “Saving Lives – Changing Mindsets” of the general public in relation to humanitarian issues, promoting the virtue of mankind and contributing to poverty reduction of the people,” he added.
The government has always given priority and attention to socioeconomic development in order to ensure the support for humanitarian activities of CRC. Undeniably, the difficulty that Cambodia is facing is huge, but it is incomparable to the misery and suffering happened during Pol Pot genocidal regime and the struggle after the 7th of January 1979. During that time, Cambodians were living in extreme exhaustion without sufficient food, with diseases and mental scars, he said.
“I may recall that during that hard time, the CRC was reborn from the disruption of war and worked with the government to relieve the hardship of the people, especially rescued people from starvation and all kinds of struggles,” he said. “I do believe that to this end, the CRC must continue to give priority to strongly, deeply and more extensively fulfi lling its humanitarian missions in “Saving Lives – Changing Mindsets” of mankind which aims at mobilizing great national and international solidarity force to prevent, combat and to cope with all disasters that will happen to our Cambodian people in a timely, effective and effi cient manner.”
Now a day the world is confronting with natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, seaquake that causes the tsunami, volcanic eruption and hurricanes, which occur more frequently and at bigger magnitude causing devastation to property, houses, crops, rice field and farms and people’s lives and cast burden to the society.
“I would like to fully support the CRC who has selected the theme of “Saving Lives – Changing Mindsets” as the key message for its campaign during the Commemoration of the 147th Anniversary of the World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day 8th May this year and for including it in the strategic framework 2011-2020 by highlighting the 3 signifi cant mottos as the catalysts to strengthen the life saving activity, hence, to ”take more actions” “make it better” and “take a step deeper and farther than before” in its humanitarian operation in order to continue to contribute to poverty reduction, enhancement of the respect of human rights and dignity of human being,” he said. (SEAW)