|
PRC hosts Asia Pacific Red Cross Red Crescent leaders meet in Manila The Philippine Red Cross is hosting a two-day meeting of Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders in Asia-Pacific zone, on May 21 and 22 this year in Manila, aimed at building the capacity of the National Societies in the region, in preparation for bigger disasters and other threats brought by climate change as well as other hazards. The two-day meet was jointly organized by PRC and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Delegation in the Philippines. In his welcome remarks, PRC Chairman & CEO Richard J. Gordon said PRC is honored to host such an important gathering of Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders from eight National Societies from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Fiji, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Korea, and the Philippines. Three facilitators also came; two from IFRC Geneva and one from AP Zone in Kuala Lumpur. The Philippine is represented by PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang. The meeting which will focus on organizational capacity and assessment is pursuant to IFRC Strategy 2020 aimed at further strengthening the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. "This meeting is very timely as we prepare for the growing humanitarian challenges ahead," Gordon said. "I can feel the strong impulse of unity and universality among the participants. We hope that our shared vision and shared struggle will enable us to do more, do better and reach further to save more lives and alleviate suffering," Gordon stressed. Gordon further stressed that the meeting should also aim to establish a management benchmark process anchored on transparency, integrity, and accountability. John Gwynn, IFRC Organizational Development Coordinator for Asia Pacific Zone, said the meeting should serve as opportunity for all participants to reflect on the humanitarian needs of the most vulnerable and what changes the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement can do to make a difference. On behalf of IFRC In Kuala Lumpur, Gwynn thanked PRC for its hospitality in hosting the two-day meet. The Red Cross Red Crescent leaders’ meeting will be followed immediately by a three-day forum for facilitators who will conduct organizational capacity review among identified national societies in the region. |