Volunteers at the Heart of our Humanitarian Mission: International Volunteer Day 2024
International Volunteer Day, celebrated on 5th December every year, is an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the efforts of volunteers, who remain at the heart of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s humanitarian mission. In 2024, MRC aimed to showcase the stories and the journey of its volunteers over the past 15 years, highlighting the way in which they continue to embody the spirit of resilience and play a pivotal and irreplaceable role in shaping the success and growth of the National Society.
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As part of these efforts, volunteer appreciation events were held across MRC Units in December 2024. In the Greater Male’ Area, Kulhudhuffushi City and Addu City, formal events were held to award volunteers with tokens of appreciation for their vital contributions to MRC, and to create a space for volunteers to engage with one another and celebrate their achievements. The IFRC Deputy Regional Director, Ms. Juja Kim, acted as the chief guest for the volunteer appreciation and celebration event in Male’ City.
In addition to the celebration of volunteers, with International Volunteer Day being marked at the end of a tumultuous year for humanitarians, National Societies of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement across the world, including MRC, came together under the banner of “Protect Humanity” to raise the alarm about the urgent need to protect humanitarian workers and volunteers and mourn the lives lost.
Volunteer Highlights:
“I initially joined First Aid Services to learn and bond with my volunteer friends, but it led to community service opportunities, skill development, and meaningful experiences. It enhanced my competence, social skills, leadership, teamwork, and allowed me to contribute to finding solutions within my community.” - Mohamed Adam, Kulhudhuffushi City Unit
“I started volunteering at MRC after completing psychological first aid training. As a facilitator, I led multiple sessions, helping people with PSA and PFF. Volunteering transformed my life, enhancing my leadership and communication skills, deepening my sense of purpose, while positively impacting the community.” - Shahza Mohamed, Male’ City Unit
”ދިވެހި ރެޑްކްރެސެންޓްގައި ދަރުމަވެރިއެއްގެ ގޮތުގައި މަސައްކަތްކުރުމުގެ ތެރެއިން، ޗައިނާ ރެޑް ކްރޮސްގެ ފަރާތުން ކުޅުދުއްފުށީގައި ބޭއްވުނު ވޯޓާރ އެމަޖެންސީ ރެސްކިއު ޓްރެއިނިންގައިބައިވެރި ވުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު ލިބުމީ ރަށުފެންވަރުގައި ކާރިސާތަކަށް އިޖާބަދިނުމަށް ލިބޭ ހިއްވަރެއް" – ހަސަން މަހުދީ، މ. ކޮޅުފުށި ޔުނިޓް