KATHMANDU, MAY 8

The World Red Cross Day is being observed by organizing several programmes today with the slogan 'keeping humanity alive'.

The world celebrates World Red Cross Day, on May 8 every year to honour humanitarian works and principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The day helps highlight the humanitarian values and activities of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

These associations play a crucial role in assisting and aiding people impacted by different natural disasters, armed conflicts, and different crises, everywhere.

It is the day when the legacy of Henry Dunant, the pioneering volunteer who founded the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement more than 160 years ago, is commemorated and respected.

Humanity has been weakening in the modern and tech-savvy world due to inter-country and inner wars, violence and discrimination. Likewise, frequent incidents of disaster, drought and famine due to the negative impacts of rising global temperature and climate change have also made the efforts for protecting humanity more pressing.

In this context, the theme of the year has been set to remind the people of the significance of compassion, love, affection, support, and treatment on this day.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Jagan Chapagain has called for elevated level of humanitarian service with the challenges mounting on keeping humanity alive.

Respect for international humanitarian law not only preserves the humanity of people affected by crises, it preserves our own humanity – both today and in the future, the message reads.

As an inseparable part of the Red Cross movement, Nepal Red Cross Society was founded on 19 Bhadra 2020 BS The Nepal Red Cross now has 1,615 sub-branches, including province offices in all seven provinces and district branch offices in all 77 districts, and 6,934 junior and youth circles across the country.

The community-based organization has a robust member base of 930,000 members.

The Nepal Red Cross has been annually offering its humanitarian services to over 2.5 million people.

IFRC's country representative for Nepal Ajmat Ulla informed that humanitarian support will continue in Nepal.