Nigeria Marks World Red Cross Day & Red Crescent Day
Nigeria joined the rest of the world on Friday to commemorate World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, an annual event celebrated every May 8 to honour the humanitarian principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The occasion, marked under the theme: United in Humanity, brought together humanitarian workers, volunteers, health professionals and stakeholders in Abuja to reflect on the growing need for humanitarian support amid rising global and local crises.
Speaking during the event, the National President of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, Prince Oluyemisi Adetayo Adeaga, said Nigeria was rapidly emerging as a global hub for humanitarian response services.
He, however, expressed concern over worsening insecurity, increasing displacement and declining funding support for humanitarian operations across the country.
According to him, an estimated 3.7 million Nigerians have been displaced by violent conflicts and insecurity, placing enormous pressure on relief agencies and volunteers.
He appealed to governments at all levels to strengthen support for the organisation, describing it as a critical national humanitarian institution established by an Act of Parliament.
