Islamabad, October 25, 2021 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) hosted a breakfast meeting with the diplomatic community at a local hotel here on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by ambassadors and representatives from 12 countries including the Ambassador of Denmark H.E. Mr. Lis Rosenholm, Deputy Head of Missions of Kingdom of Netherlands, UAE, China and senior representatives from the embassies of United States, British High Commission, Canada, Turkey, Japan, Belgium, Norway and European Commission Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO).
Chairman PRCS, Abrar-ul-Haq, Regional Director IFRC Asia Pacific, Mr. Alexander Matheou, PRCS Vice Chairman, Mr. Asif Bajwa, members of managing body, Dr. Irshad Muhammad, Syed Hashim A. Hassan, Dr. Pervaiz Ghaffar Rajwani, Brig. (Rtd.) Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana, Secretary General PRCS Dr Adeel Nawaz, HOD IFRC in Pakistan Peter (Piwi) Ophoff, PRCS and IFRC officers, and volunteers were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq said that PRCS is serving the suffering humanity to the best of its capability and without any discrimination. He said PRCS had expanded its door-to-door mobile vaccination campaign against Covid-19, to contain the spread of the pandemic in the country adding that the state-of-the-art Red Crescent Corona Care Hospital was set up within a record period of 15 days and it was inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan. He said it was a matter of great honour for the PRCS that the RCCH was designated by the government as a Mass Vaccination Centre. “More than 300,000 people had been vaccinated so far from PRCS static units and door to door vaccination campaign”, he added.
Abrar ul Haq said that the Muhafiz Force set up by the PRCS helped vulnerable segments of the society and provided food to 9 lac families during the campaign as well as raised awareness among the people on adherence to safety and security SOPs devised by the government. He said PRCS would soon launch Red Crescent Corp and students of educational institutions will be trained under this initiative to render First Aid services to vulnerable communities.
Abrar ul Haq hailed the cooperation of Movement Partners; particularly, ICRC, IFRC, and ECHO and countries for providing funding support during Covid-19 operations. The Chairman urged the diplomatic community to broaden the support channels towards PRCS which will enhance its outreach in communities.
Speaking on the occasion, IFRC Regional Director Asia Pacific Mr. Alexander Matheou said that Red Cross Red Crescent Movement is the world’s largest humanitarian network providing relief to the vulnerable people. “IFRC is providing support to 192 National Societies around the globe to help in mitigating the sufferings of vulnerable people, be it the pandemic, climate change challenge in the region or any disaster and humanitarian crisis situation”, he added.
PRCS Secretary-General, Dr. Adeel Nawaz briefed the diplomats, on COVID response activities, programme interventions and future operations being undertaken by PRCS in collaboration with IFRC, ICRC, Partner National Societies and external partners. Dr. Mowadat Hussain Rana spoke on organization commitment and gave a briefing on the creation and objectives of Red Crescent Corp.
For more information, contact:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
PRCS National Headquarters, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-300-8508138
Ph: +92-51-9250404-5
Fax: +92-51-9250408
E-mail: hilal@isb.comsats.net.pk
Web: http://www.prcs.org.pk