Volunteers termed backbone of PRCS

Have played crucial role during pandemic, other calamities

ISLAMABAD:

International Volunteer Day (IVD) was observed across the country on Saturday to acknowledge the services of volunteers especially who contributed for the well-being of those affected during the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

The day was marked through organising online sessions, programmes and roundtables by different public and private organisations and departments under this year's theme: ''Together We Can Through Volunteering''. The volunteers independently and associated with different organisations and groups played a crucial role since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country through extending support to the vulnerable communities.

The day gives an opportunity to all for paying tribute to the front line volunteers who served the communities risking their own lives.

Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Abrarul Haq in his video message on IVD said the youth volunteers are backbone of the PRCS.

The society is contributing through imparting lifesaving skills to the youth and conducting first aid courses to motivate motivating them to save lives and donate blood.

"We are going to initiate a new drive for the youth volunteers through offering membership. The youth will be prepared to cope with any disaster or calamity. They will be given proper training and incentives for joining this cause,” he said.

"The biggest incentive is the satisfaction you get by saving someone's life,” he said while urging the youth of Pakistan to become a part of the PRCS team. International Volunteer Day is an occasion for all to promote volunteerism, encourage governments to support volunteer efforts and recognise volunteer contributions to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals at local, national and international levels.

The volunteers have been at the forefront of medical, community and societal responses when the Covid-19 pandemic has ravaged across the world.

The International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (December 5), more commonly referred to as IVD, is an international observance mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1985.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2020.