The Red Cross & Red Crescent Day is celebrated worldwide on May 8 every year. It is International festival of the largest humanitarian movement. The Red Cross idea was born in 1859 when Heny Dunant, a young Swiss man, came up on the scene of a bloody battle in Solferino. Later, the Red Cross was named Red Crescent in the Islamic countries. This humanitarian association is now known as Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement with seven fundamental principles chosen for the global movement. If the mankind adopts the seven fundamental principles, it will be a concerted effort to maintain peace on the earth. Though the United Nations was established to minimise conflicts and acts of violence, the track-record of world body is not very satisfactory in this respect. The UNO did not succeed to guard peace and harmony among the member nations, but on the other hand, the humanitarian efforts made by Red Cross & Red Crescent movement have been successful to a much extent to promote the cause of peace and brotherhood. The movement consists of two main organs - International Committee of Red Cross and International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies. The roles of these organs have been specifically defined. 190 states and national societies are now the members of Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. At this critical juncture of time, when the world is in a state of turmoil, the ICRC and IFRC should widen its humanitarian activities and enhance its scope of operation in conflict zones, especially in the Middle East.

The important objective of Red Cross & Red Crescent movement in the present day world is to address the humanitarian consequences arising out of climate change, urbanization, violence as well as regular and irregular migration. Another objective of Red Cross & Red Crescent movement is to support the integration of disadvantaged people into their communities. It is volunteering; and youth networks contribute to cross-generation dialogue bridge divides between religions and cultures and quietly challenge discrimination wherever it is encountered. In a world with increasing isolation, tension and recourse, it is clear that the Red Cross Red Crescent movement must champion the individual and community values which encourage respect for other human being and a willingness to work together to find solutions to community problems. It is the responsibility of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the National societies together with internal branches to vigorously work towards the achievement of the aforesaid objective in letter and spirit. In fact, this is the demand of time.

The Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement. It is obligatory on the part of national societies and their branches to ensure that the membership should be open to all so that the movement smoothly carries out its humanitarian work throughout its territory affectively with massive participation. Unfortunately, in the province of Sindh, the management of the Provincial Headquarters has miserably failed to maintain the dignity of the movement. The cosmetic role of Sindh provincial branch affected the image of international humanitarian movement by violating the values set by the movement. The Red Crescent Sindh Provincial Secretariat, which mostly comprises paid employees does nothing but only on the basis of a one-time affair. The citizens of Karachi are suffering from the havoc of heat waves but Red Crescent is seen nowhere. If at all, Sindh Provincial Headquarter rises to the occasion, it would be just a one-time affair.

The aim of Red Crescent movement in Pakistan should influence the behaviour of the people we work with, through a better understanding of the fundamental principles and humanitarian values. It is hoped that the leadership of National Society of Pakistan will take up this challenge. The statue concerning the Red Crescent movement in Pakistan needs to be revised in order to enable the PRC national society and its branch to meet the requirement of time. President of Pakistan Mamnoon Husain, who is also the President of National Society Pakistan Red Crescent in Pakistan, is supposed to take a lead in this direction.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017