PRESS STATEMENT
LIBERIA – 5th December is observed every year as International Volunteers Day since 1985. This day encourages volunteerism and recognizes and appreciates the efforts and contributions of volunteers at different levels.
During this year’s, International Volunteer Day, we will celebrate the theme of solidarity through volunteering. For the future of our planet, we must act together and we must act now. This is not an era to stand alone but together, as one, in solidarity with each other. This year’s theme- “Solidarity through Volunteering” – highlights the importance of coming together to care for one another.
It is a reminder that everyone has a role to play. Wherever you live, whatever your skills, we urge you to take action. The Liberian Red Cross sees this day as an opportunity to celebrate and thank all of its volunteers and others providing unpaid services to humanity across the country for dedicating their precious time and efforts to voluntary service.
For the Liberian Red Cross, we are celebrating our 3,707 volunteers in Liberia and the nearly 15 million volunteers of the IFRC in 192 countries currently engaging in local humanitarian actions for global good. We are deeply proud of our fantastic, selfless, and incredible volunteers who are saving lives and striving for our shared humanitarian values every single day.
Even though the scale of today’s challenges—be it Ebola virus Disease, COVID-19, the climate crisis, global food insecurity, epidemic outbreaks, and other public health threats or the dangers (floods, storms, droughts, etc.) faced by communities at risk of disasters— we can feel overwhelmed and convinced that there is hope. Through their selfless services, volunteers show the best of humanity. They are true champions of our work to build resilience, offer hope and support and address needs, and promote recovery.
Our volunteers were recently involved in the road safety awareness campaign, the measles vaccination campaign, and COVID-19 response actions across the country. Some of our volunteers are engaged with school club activities while others are involved with the repair of damaged hand pumps and the construction of new ones in 12 communities in Sinoe, Grand Kru, and River Gee.
Hope is in the form of countless acts of kindness from one person to another. Because wherever and whenever there is a crisis, there is a Red Cross volunteer ready to support those affected. Their commitment never wavers, and their compassion has no limits.
International Volunteer Day 2022 reminds each one of us that we must come forward to help others in time of need. Though volunteers do not get paid for the kind of work they are doing, it is beyond any price.
By volunteering our services to different causes, we can make a big difference. Let us, volunteer, because the world needs our services. We may not be able to make a living by volunteering but we can certainly make many lives worthy with our volunteering effort and together we can make this world a much happier place to live.
Be a volunteer today, your services are needed.
