PHILIPPINE Red Cross (PRC) Chairman Richard J. Gordon flew to Austria last week to chair discussions on the 50th anniversary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) Fundamental Principles.
During the weeklong talks in Vienna, Gordon pushed partnerships for a PRC program to aid overseas Filipinos in need through the 189-strong network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies worldwide.
Gordon also thanked the member-societies of the IFRC continuing to support the PRC in its health, welfare and disaster-relief programs for the country.
Gordon chaired discussions on “Independence for Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,” one of the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.
He also chaired discussions on how Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world can work effectively with governments while still maintaining independence and impartiality in assessing and deploying aid resources to the people.
Founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1863, the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has some 100 million volunteers worldwide who protect the life and dignity of all human beings. The PRC has consistently been cited for its health and relief efforts, both here and abroad, as one of the most active member-societies in the system.
Because of its independent and respected status in all countries, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies will act as an additional safety net for Filipinos overseas, under a program to be launched shortly by the PRC, Gordon said.
“We met with our counterparts and threshed out final details on the launch of our program for overseas Filipinos in need. We also conveyed our gratitude for their untiring support for the PRC and pledged to continue being there for them in their time of need.”