ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) has been working on expanding its current fee-paying members and volunteers from 6 million to 20 million in the coming two years.
ERCS President Abera Tola told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that the society has been paying heed on increasing the number of fee-paying members and volunteers thereby augmenting domestic resource mobilizationt.
The ERCS has several key responsibilities including; providing assistance to vulnerable citizens affected by natural and man-made disasters, rehabilitating displaced, supporting environmental initiatives and others, he said.
The youth has 80% share from the total 120 population. Accordingly the number of youth members is too low. It has been performing various activities to make all youths ERSC member. However, awareness creation activities are not yet took place to increase the number of members, he added.
Responding to recurrent natural and manmade disasters, he said that the society has been facing challenges with the current number of members. Hence, the association is recruiting new members across the country having new organizational structure.
Furthermore, it has been digitalizing members’ data by restructuring new communication and media teams. It also strived to increase the number of volunteer youths to practice volunteerism.
“It will hugely support country’s overall economic development and growth if there is no conflict, desertification, internal displacement and others in the country.”
Moreover, it has been supplying drugs with affordable price across the country to overcome the shortage, but foreign currency exchange has been challenging to facilitate additional tasks, he noted.
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 8 MAY 2024
