Fiji Sun

‘Acts of Kindness Relieves Suffering’

WE PAY TRIBUTE TO ALL THOSE INDIVIDUAL­S WHO SELFLESSLY HELP OTHERS IN NEED: FIJI RED CROSS PRESIDENT

- INOKE RABONU Edited by Jonathan Bryce Feedback: inoke.rabonu@fijisun.com.fj

Kindness and humanity are among the most powerful tools we have to withstand the harsh impacts of conflict, climate change, COVID-19 and other crises to spark hope and change.

This was the message by Fiji Red Cross Society national president, Sala Toganivalu Lesuma to mark World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day which takes place on Sunday.

Ms Lesuma said crises and disasters had spared no one in the past year and hit the most vulnerable the hardest.

“Yet one never has to look far to find and be inspired by acts of kindness,” she said.

On May 8, the Internatio­nal Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement celebrate the dedication, compassion, courage and impact of millions of volunteers and countless others who had helped, care, and offer life-saving services to people in their communitie­s.

“In Fiji, Red Cross staff and volunteers have been supporting communitie­s by assisting with COVID-19 vaccinatio­n registrati­ons, providing disaster preparedne­ss training, restoring links with families that have been separated due to the pandemic and more recently, the Tonga volcano,” Ms Lesuma said.

“Big or small, seen or unseen, every act of kindness matters, it brings hope and breeds more kindness. “Today, we pay tribute to all those individual­s who selflessly help others in need. When all these small local actions multiply, the impact can be enormous.”

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises the Internatio­nal Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Internatio­nal Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and 192 Red Cross National Societies with 14.9 million volunteers.

“Every day, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers see first-hand how kindness relieves suffering, brings comfort, lights up the darkest moments and restores dignity.

“Amid so much hardship, loss and uncertaint­y, we encourage people around the world to believe in the power of kindness and to keep the kindness coming.”

 ?? Photo: Ronald Kumar ?? Fiji Red cross staff and volunteers during World Red Cross and Red crescent day march in Suva on May 6, 2022.
Photo: Ronald Kumar Fiji Red cross staff and volunteers during World Red Cross and Red crescent day march in Suva on May 6, 2022.

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