This was stated by Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Saeed Ahmad Qureshi while speaking at a ceremony held in connection with International Volunteer Day here on Friday.
Qureshi said the volunteers were considered as catalysts for change for any society anywhere in the world.
Therefore, at the national level an enabling environment should be created to promote volunteerism.
They should be provided opportunities to contribute to a culture of humanity and non-violence and to promote the fundamental principles of the Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement in all segments of the society.
He said the PRCS in the last few years had been laying special emphasis on enlarging its volunteer base to enhance the scope of service provided to the needy. “Today, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society is proud to have more than 87,000 volunteers attached to its programmes in various forms and every year we are recruiting and training about 25,000 volunteers, drawn from all segments of society, particularly youth, to bring new skills, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective to the activities of the society,” he added.
Mr Qureshi said volunteers were given an opportunity to learn and develop their skill through additional responsibilities.
It is in this connection PRCS has organized 1st National Youth camp from November 29 to December 5 and volunteers from all over Pakistan participated with strong representation of female volunteers, even from remote areas of NAs, Balochistan and AJ&K.
He said the PRCS volunteers are engaged in a wide-range of activities, to include emergency services, rescue and relief operations in natural and man-induced disasters, youth programmes, blood donor recruitment, community-based disaster preparedness, community-based first aid, fund raising & in re-establishing family links.
PRCS Secretary General Mohammad Ilyas Khan speaking on the occasion said that the Red Crescent since its inception has emerged as the leading humanitarian organisation with an impressive track of services towards the cause of humanity during the periods of turmoil and conflicts throughout our history.
He said during disasters of earthquake of October 2005, floods of July 2007 in Sindh and Balochistan and recent 2008 Earthquake in Balochistan, the Pakistan Red Crescent staff and volunteers, with the support of Movement Partners were first to reach the disaster areas and have worked tirelessly to provide relief assistance and medical care to millions of people and to continue in this area when others have pulled out.
An oath-taking ceremony of volunteers was also held on the occasion. The volunteers also demonstrated different skills at the ceremony. Shields and certificates were also distributed among the volunteers.