Red Cross charts the course for 2017-2021 |22 August 2016

Dedicated to furthering the cause of humanity, a group of experienced and younger volunteers of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles and their partners gathered at the weekend at the Eden Bleu Hotel to launch a strategic planning exercise as the society reaches the final year of its strategic plan 2012-2016.

The focus was on taking stock of their achievements over the past five years and plotting out the new strategic direction for the national society.

Red Cross Society of Seychelles president Kisnan Tamatave welcomed all those who took part and partners to the workshop, a fitting activity to commemorate World Humanitarian Day celebrated on August 19.

He thanked everyone for their support to the Red Cross and for taking part in an exercise that should take into account the rapidly changing socio economic and technological environment, emerging humanitarian needs of communities and sustainable approaches to the national society development.

The workshop was ran by Colette Servina (secretary general), Sandra Sabury (First Aid coordinator), and Barbara Carolus-Andre (former president of the Red Cross Society of Seychelles).

According to a press communiqué, the Red Cross Society of Seychelles wrote that many government initiatives and new non-governmental organisations are now operating in the humanitarian sphere once solely occupied by the Red Cross. In the interest of efficiency the Red Cross has to adapt to this new environment, work with the partners and focus on the areas where its services and programmes are most needed.

The communiqué adds that the heart of Red Cross activities remain voluntary service and volunteer leadership in building community resilience.

“New approaches have to be devised to mobilise resources to sponsor its programmes and services as the Red Cross mission is dependent on financial support from philanthropists – individuals and businesses who wish to give a helping hand and make a significant contribution to humanity. As the Red Cross song goes it is our mission to ‘help the world find its heart, help the world find its soul, help the world find its peace through the power of humanity’,” concludes the communiqué.

The president, management and staff and volunteers of the Red Cross extend their sincere gratitude to the management and staff of Eden Bleu Hotel for generously hosting this workshop and for their contribution to humanity.