HCM CITY— Nearly 800 HCM City officials and members and volunteers of the Việt Nam Red Cross Society took part in the annual celebration of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement held on May 5.

On May 8 celebrations are held around the world to commemorate the birthday of the NGO’s founder, Henry Dunant.

The theme of this year is the dedication, bravery and achievements of all volunteers and staff, whose life-saving and life-changing services ensure that we keep our commitment to humanity, Gianni Volpin, the International Committee of the Red Cross’s representative in Việt Nam, said.

Every year millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff around the world are able to reach more than 160 million people and provide a diverse and innovative range of services, he said.

“Whether natural or man-made disasters, armed conflict or health and social care issues, our volunteers and staff are there to help people in need without discrimination. The month of May is important for the Việt Nam Red Cross (VNRC), which celebrates it as ‘Humanitarian Month’ across the country," he said.

The VNRC, with some four million volunteers, has outstanding achievements to its credit, with the Tết (Lunar New Year) charity campaign for the poor and the victims of the Orange Agent being a great example of humanitarianism and dedication to help the most destitute.

The blood bank of the VNRC, blood donation campaigns and clubs make a significant contribution to the lives of people who need transfusions.

Trần Thị Hồng An, deputy chairwoman of VNRC, said the Humanitarian Month is celebrated across the country with the aim of helping poor households escape poverty in a sustainable manner and raise public awareness of humanitarian works. —VNS