Red Cross marks 30th anniversary with exhibition, school competition

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has held a photo exhibition in Abuja in commemoration of its 30th anniversary in the country. The exhibition tagged Through their eyes featured a collage of 50 photographs by youths living everyday with the consequences of armed conflict or violence.

“The exhibition puts the spotlight on what has always been at the heart of our work over the last 30 years – the voices of people who have been affected by armed conflict or violence”, said Eloi Fillion, ICRC head of delegation in Nigeria.

“The collections of amateur photographs were taken by teenagers whose lives have been irrevocably marked by the consequences of violence, from being separated from their families to being forced to flee their homes.

The photographs provide an authentic and un-edited account of the humanitarian challenges many Nigerians are facing today,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Lagos branch of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria on Tuesday marked the Red Cross Day with competitions ranging from quiz, spelling bee and art among schools in Lagos.

The national president, Bolaji Anani, had said during a press briefing to commence this year’s celebration that everyone can play a role in putting a smile on someone’s face.

“We live in an affluent, modern and cosmopolitan city in Lagos, but there are many individuals or families struggling with vulnerabilities and unmet needs arising from both natural and man-made disasters, epidemic and diseases,” he said.

Anani added that the Red Cross day is to reaffirm commitment to relieving human suffering, protect lives and respond to emergencies.

“Our crop of trained volunteers have worked tirelessly over the decade to ensure that these people are attended to and have helped in restoring hope to the hopeless.”