A fine service world wide

Press, 1 May 1981, Page 9

A fine service world wide

The New Zealand Rec Cross Society stands high in public esteem for the almost incredible range of activities in which it engages, ranging from “Meals on Wheels” in New Zealand to the relief ol suffering in stricken areas ol the world.

It is 50 years since the Red Cross here became an independent society, though it is linked to the League of Red Cross Societies and the International Red Cross. The motto of the New Zealand Red Cross is ‘ To be there when it hurts” and it is a pledge that it has carried out with distinction. Of more recent memory is the sterling work it accomplished in bringing succour to the refugees on the Thai-Kampu-chean border. The New Zea-

landers pioneered the sanitation programmes and supplementary feeding programmes and established a laboratory as well as tracing missing people and reuniting families.

It must have been a tremendous inspiration to the New Zealand Red Cross Society that when, in 1979, it appealed for SIM to help the international aid operation for Vietnamese and Kampuchean refugees, the public responded to the tune of SIM. Whether it be in the provision of personnel, medical supplies or funds, the society is continually showing the flag in areas of desperate need.

Much of its work at home may not make the news but it goes on steadily in a great variety of spheres, including visits ’by youth officers and leaders to schools to run health, hygiene, first aid and community service courses. The society is also engaged

in the dissemination oi humanitarian law. It would appear that it has almost as many activities as its total years of service. Funds are channelled from public donations and Red Cross branches for work in areas of concern in the world. This assistance can take the form of money in disaster situations or kind, such as blankets, medical supplies or food. The New Zealand Red Cross has adopted the South Pacific as a specific area oi interest and supports a field officer who looks particularly at rural health and health education projects. Associated with this programme Red Cross has arranged for a number of people to come from the South Pacific for training in health and related fields.