Plea for respect of the Red Cross emblem and strengthening of humanitarian support in the DRC

Kinshasa, DRC – Leaders of the Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo (RDC) have issued a powerful plea for enhanced respect for their emblem and a significant boost in support for humanitarian operations. This call to action, made on the occasion of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, underscores the dire humanitarian situation gripping the nation, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, natural disasters, and epidemics.

Grégoire Mateso, the national president of the RDC Red Cross, stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The humanitarian situation in the DRC is critical, and the Red Cross, even with its partners, cannot face it alone. We are asking for increased funding for humanitarian action in our country." He emphasized that the Red Cross emblem, a symbol of protection for volunteers, equipment, and property, is frequently subject to misuse, placing humanitarian workers at greater risk. Mateso urged the public to trust the Red Cross, noting the presence of volunteers in nearly every village across the vast country.

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On this World Red Cross Day, I make a solemn appeal for solidarity and action. The humanitarian situation in the DRC is critical, and the Red Cross, even with its partners, cannot face it alone. We are asking for increased funding for humanitarian action in our country.

This appeal resonates deeply within the DRC, where the scale of humanitarian needs often outstrips available resources. While international attention is frequently drawn to the country's protracted crises, the Red Cross's message highlights the vital role of local volunteers and the necessity of sustained, robust support. The theme for this year's World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, "United in Humanity," serves as a poignant reminder of the shared responsibility to aid vulnerable populations. The Red Cross's plea is not merely a request for funds but a call for collective action and unwavering solidarity in the face of immense suffering.

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This emblem protects the volunteers, the materials, and the property of the Red Cross. We ask the population to trust the Red Cross, because in almost every village in the DRC, there is at least one Red Cross volunteer.