Reference :
V-P-ES-E-00009
Date :
26/10/2012
Caption :
Oviedo. Prince of Asturias Awards.
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
reserved users only
Description :
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement receives Prince of Asturias Award for 2012
25-10-2012 News Release 12/209
Geneva (ICRC/IFRC) - The prestigious award in the category of international cooperation will be presented in Oviedo on 26 October to Tadateru Konoé, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)..
The jury awarded the prize in recognition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's "performance in armed conflicts such as those of Syria, Libya and Somalia and in the natural disasters which have beset Haiti, Indonesia and Japan. The Red Cross Red Crescent and their volunteers save lives, protect livelihoods, provide support for recovery after disaster and crisis, enable people to lead a safe and healthy life and promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace."
"We are honoured to accept this prestigious award on behalf of all our member National Societies and 13 million volunteers who serve vulnerable people worldwide as part of the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement," said IFRC President Tadateru Konoé. "Together, we aim to tackle the major humanitarian and development challenges of this decade. Together, we are committed to saving lives and changing minds."
"I would like to dedicate the award to the staff and volunteers of the Movement who have lost their lives in recent months trying to save the lives of others," said ICRC President Peter Maurer. "In Pakistan, Yemen and Syria, to mention just a few places, we have suffered losses that are tragic for two reasons. First, because talented and selfless persons were taken from us far too soon. And second, because hundreds, perhaps thousands of people are now left without help as a result of these tragic losses."
(...)
SPEECH BY Mr. PETER MAURER
President
Your Royal Highness, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
Together with my friend and colleague Tadateru Konoé of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, I am honoured to accept this award on behalf of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
I would like to dedicate the award to the staff and volunteers of the Movement who have lost their lives in recent months trying to save the lives of others.
In Pakistan, Yemen and Syria, to mention just a few places, we have suffered losses that are tragic for two reasons.
First, because talented and selfless persons were taken from us far too soon. And second, because hundreds, perhaps thousands of people are now left without help as a result of these tragic losses.
I therefore call upon all armed forces and all armed groups, politicians and local leaders to allow not only Red Cross and Red Crescent workers, but everyone seeking to alleviate human suffering in an impartial manner, to perform their tasks in safety.
In particular, local nurses, paramedics and doctors must be allowed to carry out their neutral and impartial work free from pressure and free from attacks.
That is what is required to preserve some measure of humanity when disaster strikes.
Thank you.
Original material :
print
Resolution :
3917x3164
Orientation :
landscape
Colour/B&W :
colour
