We arrived at 7am. The Links (primary school), Units (secondary school), Detachments (adult volunteers) and Officers gather at the Esplanade. It’s a lovely morning.

Today, 8th May, is the World Red Cross Day, the Red Crescent included, of course. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies of all nations celebrate the birthdate of the founder of the movement, Sir Henri Dunant, as World Red Cross Day.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent movement has been instrumental in advocating and providing for humanitarian services throughout the world.

The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization ensuring humanitarian protection and assistance for victims of war and armed violence.

The ICRC has a permanent mandate under international law to take impartial action for prisoners, the wounded and sick, and civilians affected by conflict.

With its HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, the ICRC is based in around 80 countries and has a total of more than 12,000 staff.

In situations of conflict the ICRC coordinates the response by national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and their International Federation.

The ICRC is at the origin of both the International Red Cross / Red Crescent Movement and of international humanitarian law, notably the Geneva Conventions.

Source

Besides armed conflicts, the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement mobilizes it’s volunteers and staff to provide relief care for the affected population in the event of natural disasters.

On the local scene, the Penang Branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society provides disaster relief services, first aid stand-by services, ambulance service to complement hospital ambulance services, youth services for school students and blood donation campaigns.

After the chapter level competition held two weeks ago, the branch level competition was held yesterday at the branch HQ in Penang. 75 members from the three chapters in Penang participated. The chapters are Island, North Seberang Perai, and Central and South Seberang Perai. Here are some shots of the action.

Cool Slideshows

The challenge trophy went to the North Seberang Perai chapter this year. Congratulations! (But we’ll take it back next year! ;-))

The MRCS Penang Branch and the Emergency Dept of Hospital Pulau Pinang are jointly running a Basic Ambulance Care Course for RC members as well as some members from the St. John’s Ambulance and volunteer fire corps from Penang and Butterworth. The participants already have knowledge of basic first aid. They learned to recognise and handle the common trauma and medical problems encountered by ambulance crews, use ambulance equipment and the day-to-day running of an ambulance service. Thanks, Dr. Teo and his team from the Emergency Department of Hospital Pulau Pinang

Dr. Teo giving a lecture

Oxygen delivery systems

Airway protection devices

Extricating a patient with suspected spinal injury from a vehicle

Using a spinal board to protect an injured spine

Some of the course participants taking a break