PRESIDENT of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mr. Tadateru Konoé, who is also President of the Japanese Red Cross, ended a two-day visit to Guyana yesterday.

On Thursday, a reception was held in his honour at the Ken De Abreu Auditorium of the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) Headquarters, in Eve Leary, Kingston, Georgetown.
The IFRC is one of the three components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which, for a number of years, has been actively serving the Caribbean Region through its Regional Office located in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Konoé’s coming to Guyana was intended to explore ways to deepen the relationship and level of cooperation between the IFRC and the GRCS, which has delivered 65 years of service in this country.
He engaged in discussions on the GRCS emergency programmes and issues related to disaster preparedness.
Konoé also used the opportunity to meet with CARICOM officials based in Georgetown, towards a better understanding of the socio-economic dynamics of the Caribbean Region, particularly the needs of Guyana, in the fulfillment of its humanitarian mandate and development agenda.

National disaster
The IFRC assists when there is a national disaster that is beyond the scope of capacity for a local society
Konoe` paid a courtesy call, as well, on President Donald Ramotar and was able to meet Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
The IFRC is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 187 member national societies.
Together, the IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to deal with the needs of and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions.