The National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), as part of this year’s World Humanitarian Day celebration, has donated assorted items to the 37 Military Hospital and the fire victims of the June 3 disaster in Accra.
The items include 16 cartons of milk, four cartons of Milo, two bails of mosquito nets, one bail of blanket, 280 pieces of toilet rolls, eight packs of Healthy Life fruit drink, four cartons of key soap, four cartons of Nescafe, six bags of rice, two boxes of frytol, five boxes of clinical gloves, and eight boxes of Tuna tin fish.
The United Nations General Assembly put aside August 19 each year to recognise those who have faced danger and adversity in the bid to help others. This year’s celebration is on the theme “Inspiring the world’s humanity”.
The celebration is aimed at inspiring humanitarian work around the globe and also recognise the sacrifices and contributions of humanitarian personnel increase public awareness about humanitarian assistance and activities worldwide, as well as the importance of international cooperation.
In a speech read on his behalf Brigadier General Francis Vib Sanziri, Acting National Coordinator for NADMO, said the organization would like to use the opportunity to honour the response organisations that play various roles over the years in saving lives in neighbouring countries such as Togo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, among others.
“On this day we will also like to pay tribute to the victims of the June 3 Accra disaster as well as the emergency responders who had to endure trying circumstances to save precious lives,” he added.
Brig Gen Sanziri said the theme for this year’s celebration is appropriate in the era where more humanitarian workers are needed to provide services to the large number disaster victims.
He said: “No country is an island and a nation that does not honour its heroes is not worth dying for. In line with this, we will like to pay homage to personalities like the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, Dr Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, Dr Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Dr Ibn Chambas and last but not the least Sir Dr Kofi Portuphy, the immediate past National Coordinator of NADMO for their dedication and hard work to bring relief to distressed people.
“As we celebrate this day, we will like to honour all humanitarian workers who have worked in promoting the course of humanity and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We will also like to honour the men and women who continue to risk their lives to help others around the world,” he added.
Colonel Mercy Yelbert, Matron of 37 Military Hospital, who received the items, commended NADMO for the gesture.
She said the hospital plays an important role when it comes to humanitarian services and “we appreciate the recognition”.