Syrian Arab News Agency S A N A
Damascus, SANA – The Syrian Arab Red Crescent organization held a reception ceremony marking the International Volunteer Day which coincides on December 5th each year.
The ceremony shed light on the organization’s efforts and achievements in the humanitarian field, with Head of the organization Abdul-Rahman al-Attar stressing the great value of volunteering work which constitutes the essence of the organization’s activity.
He extended heartfelt greetings to all volunteers who risked their lives to save people and provide help to the needy families throughout the years of current war, noting that till now, the SARC has offered 57 martyrs aged between 18 and 26 years old.
In turn, Local Administration Minister Hussein Makhlouf said that the SARC cadres set a brilliant example of sacrifice, devotion and humanitarian work.
He underlined the Syrian government’s continuous efforts to improve services in health, educational and developmental and humanitarian sectors, in parallel to encouraging local reconciliations and rehabilitating damaged infrastructure in areas restored by the Syrian army.
In a statement to journalists, Health Minister Nizar Yazigi highly appreciated the SARC efforts during current circumstances to provide emergency medical services and deliver relief supplies to civilians and families in the terrorist-controlled areas.
The minister highlighted the close daily cooperation between the two sides to go through all difficult conditions, adding that the ministry has offered 270 martyrs of its medical cadres.
For his part, Deputy Foreign and Expatriates Minister Fayssal Mikdad hailed the organization’s humanitarian activities across the country to alleviate the suffering of people in terror-affected areas, adding that the ministry is providing all necessary facilitations to help SARC members perform their duties.
The ceremony included screening a 4-minute documentary film on the organization’s intensive efforts in humanitarian aid field over five years of war on Syria.
The International Volunteer Day on December 5th was designated by the United Nations in 1985 as an international observance day to celebrate the power and potential of volunteerism. It is an opportunity for volunteers and volunteer organizations to raise awareness of, and gain recognition for, the contribution they make to their communities.
R. Raslan / Ghossoun
