Red Cross, Red Crescent appeal for aid

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Lau handing over the trophy to a representative from the winning contingent. Chua is at fourth right, Sim (second left) and Wong (third left).

SIBU: The Red Cross and Red Crescent are appealing for donations for the Ebola Outbreak and crises in Syria, Gaza and Iraq.

Malaysian Red Crescent (Sibu Chapter) Advisor Temenggong Vincent Lau said aid was also needed to help the victims of the Yunnan quake in China and the Kaohsiung gas blast in Taiwan.

“In the event the generous public are suspicious when approached for donation to any of these appeals, kindly contact the Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter.

“This is because whenever there is a disaster there will be some people who seek to take advantage of those who wanted to donate,” said Lau at the Annual Inspection Parade held in conjunction with the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day at Stadium Tun Zaidi yesterday.

Among those present were Malaysian Red Crescent (Sibu Chapter) chairman Penghulu Chua Hiong Kee, Malaysia Red Crescent (Sibu Chapter) secretary John Wong and Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee.

Lau cautioned that there were many online scams, including through emails, claiming to be acting on behalf of the Red Cross and other NGOs to solicit for donations.

On the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, Lau said it is celebrated every year to highlight the hard work Red Cross and Red Crescent members the world over had done to alleviate human sufferings, uphold human dignity, protect life, and to provide relief for emergencies and natural disasters such as flood, earthquakes, and epidemics.

“Thus, this special day is meant to aspire and promote all humanitarian activities that are carried out by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross the world over.”

The theme for this year’s Red Cross Day is “My Red Cross Story”. It is meant to connect with anyone who had been touched by the Red Cross.