ISLAMABAD, May 25: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmad on Wednesday assured full support to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society in its humanitarian efforts for the distressed people. He was speaking at a ceremony arranged to mark the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day at the PRCS headquarters.

The minister said he had been associated with the PRCS from his college days and joined it as a volunteer.

He said the PRCS had emerged as a respectable humanitarian organization by effectively responding to disaster situations such as the Tsunamis which hit some South East Asian countries and flash floods in Pakistan earlier this year. The minister urged the society to set up a blood bank in Rawalpindi besides ambulance service as the city required these facilities, especially in times of emergencies.

Speaking on the occasion, PRCS Chairman Jahan Dad Khan said without active participation of media, goals of humanity services could not be achieved. “The society, since its inception has evolved into a leading humanitarian organization in the country,” Mr Khan said.

He said the society volunteers throughout the country raised relief assistance worth Rs80 million to address the needs of victims of Tsunami in the Indian Ocean and flash floods in Pakistan. Mr Khan said the society would revise its priorities and strengthen its operations where people needed assistance in the country in the future. In his speech, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Asian Regional Head Bob Mckerrow highlighted the priorities of the movement. He stressed the youth to contribute to the noble cause of serving humanity.

He reiterated the commitment to continue cooperation with the PRCS in disaster management, health and other areas of work.