WORLD Red Cross Day, to be observed tomorrow, is themed ‘Urbanisation’; and Secretary General of Guyana Red Cross Society, Mrs. Dorothy Fraser said that theme will guide the work programmes through 2011.
She said violence, poverty, food shortages, insufficient health care, inadequate access to water and sanitation are among the many challenges facing people in cities and other densely populated areas.
“For the first time, more than 50 per cent of the world’s population is living in urban areas, a figure that is forecast to rise more than 60 per cent by 2030,” she reported.
Fraser said their attention will focus on the challenges presented by urbanization, which also presents enormous opportunities that can serve as an engine of social inclusion, cultural expression, diversity and economic growth.
She said the local body is working on a long term plan of action, which was discussed recently with civil society organisations, international donors, representatives of the various ministries and agencies and the Government.
“We presented the Federation (International Federation of Red Cross) Strategy 2020 and we got feedback from these persons on where they would like us to work more, do things differently and where they saw us working better in partnership,” Fraser reported.
She said it was the first and an important step to involve stakeholders in the Guyana Red Cross 2015 strategy.
Fraser said the next step will be the dissemination of it and assessment of the feedback on how well expectations were met.
She said the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are emphasising the importance of community-based action.
Fraser said the concur that, around the world, national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are working with city leaders and civil society to address urban challenges by aiming at their root causes.
In Guyana, it is up to the individual to effect change and make a difference in the lives of someone else, she said.
“It is up to each of us to make a difference in our communities, making sure that drains are clean, that we put the garbage where it should go and work with schools and communities to ensure that the fundamental principles of what is correct are adhered to,” she oulined.
Fraser observed that, in these efforts, the youth play an integral part in effecting change and noted that they have the energy and willingness to make the world a better place.
Acknowledging their contribution to agencies such as the Red Cross, she pointed out that there is a Caribbean Youth Network in existence which links national societies in the region as well as abroad.
Fraser reiterated the importance of youth and affirmed that they are the ones who will continue the work of the Red Cross in the future.
“We need their energy and vitality to see us through,” she maintained.
Fraser lauded the efforts of the local media and highlighted their link between the Red Cross and the community.