Mr. Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, decided to visit Syria on his first mission as IFRC president. The visit started on 16/12/2017 and ended on 20/12/2017.
On the first day, Mr. Rocca paid a visit to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent where Eng. Khaled Hboubati, SARC president, and the HQ-top management welcomed him. He has a look at the work and activities carried out by SARC. “Every time I visit Syrians and Syrian Arab Red Crescent, I have been overwhelmed with emotions,” He said.
On the second day, he met SARC volunteers at Damascus branch and listened to their stories about the difficult circumstances in Syria that motivated them to engage more in the humanitarian work. He praised and appreciated their work. “One of the impressive moment was when I met SARC volunteers and received their feedback and their expectations for the future. I appreciate their dedications that is on a daily basis they exert efforts to reach needs and reach the families in need. This is as always means something to me because this is the message of our foundation, and they need this spirit to carry out their voluntary work. When I will be back I will bring with me the thoughts about their dedications and how they keep the principles of our work” He said.
On the third day, he visited a community center supported by IFRC in Al-Ghizlania area where he met children, who were attending educational and entertainment activities, and women on sewing vocational training supported by livelihood program. He highly admired the interaction of the people with SARC activities and efforts exerted by all possible means. “I have the opportunity and privilege to visit one of the sheltering centers and to meet the children, who are going there to receive education, and the ladies and the men and women, who found another opportunity in their life. This is something that is moving. This country needs this kind of action everywhere” He said.
On the last day, Mr. Rocca attended SARC General Assembly meeting and had a speech in which he praised the efforts of all SARC volunteers and staff member. “Thank you to all the Syrian Arab Red Crescent volunteers and staff, thank you to the president, to all the staff and especially to the old volunteers who are dedicating their lives to save this country more than ever in this period,” He said.
In addition, Mr. Rocca promised that the response to Syria would be on the top of his priorities.
SARC, in its turn, expresses deep gratitude to Mr. Rocca for his visit, interest in Syrian people and his appreciation to SARC work.
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