Red Cross Blogs

What will your move be?

By Sarah Oughton
May 8, 2009 at 2:11 pm

Just been flicking through today’s papers, unsurprisingly a pretty depressing experience. Here are some of the headlines:

• Afghans riot over air-strike atrocity
• Labour’s record on poverty in tatters
• Witch hunts, murder and evil in Papua New Guinea
• Villagers flee as military tackles Taliban in Swat
• A year on, China quake survivors face uncertain future

But do you want to hear the good news?

It’s Our world. Your move.

If you’re wondering what I’m talking about, well today is World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, which honours the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Movement. And basically to celebrate this, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a campaign and it’s calling you to action. That’s right. Your world needs you!

We are living in a time of unprecedented challenges, ranging from conflict to climate change, and not to mention the global financial crisis. Sometimes it can be hard to know what you’re suppose to do.

I’ve got one friend who’s currently working for the Red Cross in Sudan and one in Sri Lanka. They are literally

on the front lines, out there changing lives, helping people in a very practical way. I have massive respect for them and I sometimes wonder how useful I am being in my job as a writer. But you know what, there’s not room for us all on the frontline and there are many other parts to play.

“We have a collective responsibility to make our world a better place. It’s up to each of us, as individuals, to make a move and do something to help others. Young or old, we can all make a difference.” It’s Our world. Your move. Check it out.

P.s. Although it’s true enormous challenges remain for recovery in China, the point is we are there. Find out more about the people we are helping.

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Tags: Afghanistan, China, Papua New Guinea, red cross, Sri Lanka

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This entry was posted on Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 2:11 pm and is filed under Emergencies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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