ICRC launches ‘2017 Young Humanitarian Writers Competition: Even Wars Have Limits’

KUALA LUMPUR: The International Committee of the Red Cross ( ICRC) and The National Press Club Malaysia ( NPC), together with the Malaysian Red Crescent Society ( MRCS), celebrated World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day Monday by launching the 2017 Young Humanitarian Writers Competition with the theme,‘Even Wars Have Limits’

People aged between 16 and 30 are invited to join the competition and share their views about the chosen topic that hopes to highlight the dire humanitarian consequences in today’s world, largely due to the violation of international humanitarian law, its principles and rules, and the lack of respect for principled humanitarian action, the Genevabased humanitarian institution said in a statement .

“On this World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day as we celebrate humanity, we invite young people including journalists to write for humanity,” NPC president Datuk Mokhtar Hussain was quoting as saying in the statement.

“Writing is one very effective way to mobilise attention publicly on pressing humanitarian issues”, he added.

Echoing the sentiment, head of ICRC’s regional delegation in Kuala Lumpur, Isabelle Barras, stressed the need to reaffirm the relevance of the rules protecting humanitarian workers and healthcare delivery in armed conflicts.

“Through this competition, we hope writers will join in our call for compliance with international humanitarian law and an end to attacks on civilians, including humanitarian and health workers,” she said.

MRCS secretary-general, Datuk Sayed A Rahman Sayed Mohd urged youths to call for respect of humanitarian law and principles to protect lives and prevent human suffering.

“We must not close our eyes to the immense humanitarian challenges we see in the world today,” he said.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated on May 8, each year to commemorate the founder of the Red Cross and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize, Henry Dunant, who was born on May 8, 1828. This will be the third edition of the Young Humanitarian Writers Competition. The last day for entries is Oct 31, 2017. More information on the competition can be obtained from kualalumpur@ icrc.org. — Bernama