Around 400 volunteers and 300 school cadets have registered with the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BRC) since April this year, said society president Haji Muhammad Suhaimi bin Haji Ibrahim during the association’s 76th anniversary celebration, held in conjunction with World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2024.
“BRC will give focus and deep study to retain volunteers as there are challenges in the involvement of students and youth who are not keen to engage in school’s co-curriculum, which is also faced by other local non-governmental organisations,” he said.
Through the BRC Strategic Plan 2020-2025, the association hopes to train more first aiders and cultivate safety in the community, he added in his remarks. “The main priority is to produce at least one first aider per household by 2035.”
The BRC president noted that in the last year alone, there were 19 humanitarian disasters, 160 small and medium scale crises, which saw the involvement of 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent organisations.
“Volunteers as well as Red Cross and Red Crescent members are often the first to respond to a crisis or disaster. From the most remote corner of the world and the most challenging of contexts, the volunteers and staff of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement are pillars of hope,” said the BRC president.
The anniversary celebration yesterday also saw an award ceremony at the BRC Hub Centre, Annajat Complex.
Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office and Minister of Defence II Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof presented the award.
The late Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yussof bin Pengiran Haji Bahar, who was the society president from 2022 to 2024, received the Henry Dunant Leadership Award 2023 for his contributions throughout the years. His son received the award on his behalf.
Henry Dunant Humanitarian Award 2023 was awarded to Datin Hajah Hasanah binti Haji Ibrahim, an honorary member and member of the BRC National Council since 2022.
The BRC Distinguished Medal of Honour was also presented for the first time to 41 recipients comprising veteran senior officers, officers, staff and volunteers.
Members of the BRC National Council and Board of Governing Body for 2024-2029 also received their appointment letters.
BRC awarded Jerudong International School as Friends of BRC for their humanitarian works and support. – Lyna Mohamad
