The Red Cross Society of Nigeria has urged parents and groups to encourage youths to participate in humanitarian volunteerism to better their community and society at large.
Prof. Peter Katchy, Chairman of Red Cross in Anambra, made the call in Enugu on Friday while speaking on World Humanitarian Day (WHD) 2022.
Katchy noted that there was a delusive notion that propels some geographically based group, which emboldens them to claim ownership of statehood, by being rebellious.
According to him, such is always an essential element of their propaganda to potentially recruit recalcitrant youth groups to generate national crises with fake and negative indoctrination.
He said: “Groups should encourage youth groups to volunteer in humanitarian activities, relief projects to help victims of disaster and violent conflicts in neighbourhoods, communities and the society at large.
“If they teach the youth groups to help others, give them the tools to empower themselves and feel that they are part of the national vehicle of humanity, it will be very purposeful and meaningful.
“Youths must be protected by providing to them with positive counter-narratives of national ethos and values of which will yield adequate patriotism.
“This is done by offering opportunities of language learning, cultural exchange, professional service providers, mentors, tutors, helpers, social network fosters employments, vocational and industrial training which is the panacea to National Economic Growth.”
Katchy also said that protecting the civil populace was becoming more difficult in a world where crises are increasing in complexity and magnitude.
The don noted that the world humanitarian system faces unprecedented strain, with four “level 3” emergencies the UN’s highest classification for a humanitarian crisis in Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, Yemen and Nigeria.
“Violence and insecurity in these countries are causing massive internal and cross-border displacements, and aid workers are saving lives at great risk to their own.
“In just over a decade, the number of people in need of humanitarian aid has more than doubled,” he said.
Katchy said that sequel to raising difficult situations of internally displaced persons mostly in North East, North Central and other theatres of internal conflicts in Nigeria; humanitarian workers are called upon to rapidly respond in one way.
He said: “The humanitarian volunteer must cushion the effect of excruciating hardship, severe malnutrition, health hazards and psychological problem of displacement and vagaries of harsh weather, contaminations and terrorists invasions.
“It is most auspicious to use this day to call on every person to eschew any illegal dead, incisive utterances, bellicose stance, felonious threats, and pugnacious attitude that will precipitate violent exhibitions which would lead to death of defenseless civilians.”
The chairman said that the Red Cross was using the day to sincerely thank all volunteers, who have committed their lives, to intervene in humanitarian situations within Nigeria and globally.
