On the occasion of the International Day of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, which is celebrated on 8 May, a day in which the relief work carried out by millions of volunteers every day is celebrated throughout the world and which coincides with the anniversary of the birth of the founder, Henry Dunant, a delegation of the CRI Committee of Messina led by the president Antonio Chimicata, with the vice-president Francesca Melita, the councilor and youth representative Giovanni Ungaretti and Arianna Foscolo volunteer of the Civil Service, delivered this morning to the mayor Federico Basile and the councilor the Social policies Alessandra Calafiore the flag with the red cross on a white background, which has always been a symbol of help, protection and respect. From today and throughout the week, until May 12, the banner will fly on the facade of the town hall to remember the values of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteering, unity and universality, which are the fundamental principles that animate the International Movement of the Red Cross.
“The display of the flag represents the tangible sign that testifies not only to the humanitarian power of the Red Cross emblem, but also to the indissoluble bond that increasingly sees the CRI Committee of Messina and the Municipality united – highlighted Mayor Basile – in support and closeness activities to citizens, with particular regard to the most vulnerable. Displaying the flag is also a way to express our gratitude to the many volunteers for what they do every day, without forgetting the extraordinary commitment they face in every emergency and their dedication which serves as a precious example and encouragement for all of us”. Furthermore, as part of the celebrations, from this evening Palazzo Zanca will be illuminated in red, the symbolic color of the Red Cross for the week dedicated to it, in order to raise awareness among citizens and make known the tasks carried out by thousands of volunteers committed to deal with needs or emergencies that may arise in the territory, as well as on the fronts of crisis and war.
At the end of the meeting, President Chimicata thanked Mayor Basile for his effective collaboration and reiterated the commitment and presence of the Messina CRI Committee in support of all the initiatives promoted in the area, “from the primary function of the association in the field of the diffusion of international humanitarian law, education and training, emergency intervention, health protection and protection of cultural heritage, as well as prevention campaigns and the many social welfare activities”.
