“25 ambulances and 184 volunteers, the impressive commitment of the Italian Red Cross in the evacuation due to the bomb”

News – The Viterbo committee: “In the last year, 3,800 calls were handled and 100 tons of food distributed” – Tomorrow is the 160th anniversary of the foundation

Viterbo – We receive and publish – On May 8, on the anniversary of the birth of its founder Henry Dunant, World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated. The current year represents the 160th anniversary of the foundation, from that distant but always current impulse of humanity, 1864, which still stands out in the logo of the Italian Red Cross.

Bomb evacuation – Italian Red Cross volunteers

The action that a “people” of volunteers without borders, who speak the only language of the 7 principles – humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteering, unity and universality – knows no limits: training of volunteers, preparation for first aid for the population, dissemination of life-saving maneuvers in pediatric age, ambulance service for transporting the sick and extra-hospital health emergencies, reception of migrants, support for the poor through the distribution of food and services for the homeless residence, dissemination of IHL and the principles of the Red Cross for the population and the Armed Forces, raising awareness of the issues of bullying and gender violence.

These activities, which have always characterized the action of the international movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, have undergone an exponential increase and highlight an ever greater need for the constant and reassuring presence of all those who, with a profound sense of belonging, dedicate their daily their time to the needs of the community.

Bomb evacuation – Italian Red Cross volunteers

To what has been stated, add the auxiliary activity to the FF.AA. which, the primary reason for the birth of the Red Cross, remains one of the cornerstones of the modern use of auxiliary corps, volunteer nurses and volunteer military corps.

In the last year the Viterbo office with its delegations – Blera, Capodimonte, Tuscania, Valentano and Vetralla – responded to 3,800 calls from users, the kilometers traveled for social and health services were approximately 140,000, the hours spent over 60,000 available from volunteers, 100 tons of food distributed to the vulnerable population.

In particular, for the Viterbo Red Cross, this anniversary, the 160th, also represents yet another test bench in terms of civil protection emergencies of which the CRI is the operational structure.

The use of vehicles and personnel to defuse the bomb that affected the city of Viterbo was of impressive proportions: socio-medical evacuation with approximately 25 ambulances, creation of a field structure for the maximum reception of 90 people vulnerable people who actually welcomed 75 guests and companions, evacuation for the population without means of transport with two buses and 10 vehicles for transporting people with motor disabilities, for a total of 184 volunteers employed.

Bomb evacuation – Italian Red Cross volunteers

The 160th, as every year for over five years now, will see the flag of the Red Cross flying on the facade of the municipal and prefecture building, this to reassure the population that the humanitarian action of the association tells its story with a commitment timeless daily life and with an ever-growing enthusiasm.

This is the value of humanity, this is the value of the Viterbo Red Cross which has been working at the service of the Viterbo community since 1892. A history lasting more than 130 years and which, in step with the times and changes in society, has always been able to adapt, provide its relief work in Viterbo as in various parts of Italy and the world, remaining firmly faithful to its principles fundamentals that guide his work.

A committee present in the area, credible and often a point of reference in the most disparate contexts, both for citizens and for the institutions which today demonstrate their gratitude by displaying the CRI flag on their offices.

With these sentiments, the president of the Viterbo committee Marco Sbocchia wanted to thank the women and men of the CRI of Viterbo for their availability, will, dedication and humanity employed in every action and associative activity: “The day of celebration and the context in which we live both serves as an incentive to do more and do better, as well as an example for the new generations of volunteers and pride for those who have preceded us over the years on this path of solidarity. Long live the Red Cross.”

Italian Red Cross

May 7, 2024