RedCrossSocietyofSeychellesHunaitariandayAugust192021   Volunteers honoured on World Humanitarian Day   By Patrick Joubert |20 August 2021

A souvenir photograph to mark the occasion (Photo: Jude Morel)

All volunteers in Seychelles and across the world were honoured yesterday for sacrificing their lives to help others.

This was through a small ceremony organised by the Red Cross Society of Seychelles (RCSS) at its head quarters, Providence, to commemorate World Humanitarian Day (WHD).

Apart from staff members, Miss Seychelles 2020, Kelly Mary Annette and founding member of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles, Justin Freminot, were also present to symbolically thank and honour volunteers and staff of RCSS for their noble humanitarian work.

Ms Annette availed of the opportunity to discuss on a possible partnership with the RCSS on ongoing projects of her Maylene’s Hope Foundation to give hope to children, aged 6 to 20 years old, whose lives have been forever disrupted by the loss of a parent.

The theme for this year’s World Humanitarian Day is ‘Human Race’, and it is  highlighting the immediate human costs of climate crisis on the world’s most vulnerable people and the need for world leaders to take meaningful actions to protect the ‘human race’. Every year, the WHD brings together partners from humanitarian networks across the world to promote and advocate the ‘survival, well-being and dignity of crises victims’. It also recalls the safety and dignity of humanitarian and aid workers.

On this day, people who have sacrificed their lives for humanitarian causes and dedicated their lives also to humanitarian welfare, are honoured. It is also a day to celebrate humanity and the spirit that inspires people to help others who are in need, even in difficult and dangerous situations, often putting their own lives at risk.

The climate emergency is wreaking havoc across the world at a scale that people on the front lines and in the humanitarian community are finding it very difficult or impossible to manage. Those who have contributed least to the global climate change are the hardest hit. Climate change has caused millions of people to lose their homes, their livelihoods, and their lives as well.

World Humanitarian Day was designated in memory of the bomb attack on the Canal Hotel in Bagdad, Iraq, on August 19, 2003, in which 22 people, including the Iraqi chief humanitarian, Sergio Vieira de Mello, were killed.

The secretary general of RCSS, Marie-May Esparon, in thanking and honouring all volunteers, said that RCSS will continue with its mission to help people in need of its assistance.

“The country has not been spared from the effect of climate change and RCSS recognises the need for assistance in relation to that effect, especially now with the Covid-19 pandemic and today we want to thank all volunteers and partners for assisting people in need of help, as we celebrate World Humanitarian Day,” she said.

Speaking on RCSS’ partnership with the Maylene’s Hope Foundation, she stated that the RCSS will be on board as both organisations deal with humanitarian issues.

As for Mr Freminot, he gave an overview of the formation of the RCSS and its activities in 1989 following the dissolution of the then British Red Cross after Seychelles got its independence in June 1976.  

Besides Mr Freminot, other founding members of the RCSS are Christold Chetty, Barbara Carolus Andre, Norman Lucas and Daniella Larue.

Speaking about her project with the RCSS staff, the Seychelles beauty queen said that she was seeking the society’s help in terms of psychological therapies for the semi orphans.

“It’s easy to give money, clothes and other items but psychological support is the most important part to bring hope to children who have lost a parent and I think we can get the help from the Red Cross in this aspect. We are not qualified psychologists, although we give advice, but the professional support from you will help us a long way,” she said.

She also noted that as the RCSS has much experience and knowledge in humanitarian issues, including in First Aid, it could help to educate the eight members of the Maylene’s Hope Foundation through workshops and other means of training, so that they can better deliver in their tasks.

The RCSS has 9 staff and over 100 volunteers who are trained in multiple humanitarian related skills including First Aid, psychosocial support, contact tracing for Covid-19, among others.

Patrick Joubert