Nigerian Red Cross marks 150 years of humanitarian action

Details

Written by Abdullateef Abubakar Jos

Speaking to newsmen in Abuja , Diram said the Red Cross activities in Nigeria dated back

to 1917, when an Adimu Orisha play was staged in Lagos.

He said the play was to raise funds for the Red Cross to provide relief for returning soldiers

of World War 1.

Diram said the Nigerian branch of the British Red Cross was opened in Lagos by the

Governor-General in 1951.

He said that in August 1960, the two legislative houses passed the Nigerian Red Cross Act

and the General Conventions Acts.

He said the Nigerian Red Cross Society became an independent National Society in

February 1961 following its recognition by the International Committee of the Red Cross.

``Therefore, Nigeria became 86^th member nation of the International Federation of Red

Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

``The Nigeria Red Cross Society complements public authorities in the area of

humanitarian interventions,’’ he said.

Diram said the society had over 500,000 volunteers across the nation as well

as the foremost first responder to emergencies in Nigeria.

``The Nigerian Red Cross works round the clock to bring relief to the vulnerable group and

people affected by crises, shocks, conflicts, situations of violence and other natural hazard

induced disasters.

``In peace time, we prepare for emergencies, thus; we are engaged in disaster

preparedness, mitigation, disaster risk management, epidemic preparedness, general

training on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian values.’'

He said in crises situation, the society mobilised its volunteers and resources and go into

emergency response, emergency health care, shelter and relief, water and sanitation.

 Reports say that the 2013 World Red Cross Day has the theme: ``150 years of

Humanitarian Action''.