“Cyclone ‘Nargis’ that swept across Myanmar last weekend has engulfed minimum 25,000 lives and many more thousand are still missing. It is a manifestation of the fear that climate change is leading to increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Climate change is with us and it’s no more a conjecture”; says Prof. (Dr.) S.P. Agarwal, Secretary General during the observance of World Red Cross Day. As a mark of solidarity Indian Red Cross Society has sanctioned relief to the tune of Rs. 60 lakhs for the survivors of the cyclone in Myanmar.

Dr. Agarwal informed that he has triggered National Tree plantation campaign at State, District and Sub-district level by writing to the State Secretaries to plant more trees.

The National Headquarters observed the World Red Cross Day by pledging to raise awareness on climate change and its human consequences in coming years.
To mark the occasion 10 saplings were planted in the IRCS campus, which was followed by a seminar on topic “working together to combat climate change”. Dr. Salim J. Habayab, WHO, Representative to India was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Dr. Habayab said that the World Health Organization (WHO), Regional Office for South East Asia (SEARO) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have Memorandum of Understanding for technical and other collaboration to addresspublic health issues. Both share similar concern for the betterment of vulnerable population. Climate change impacts on health need to be addressed by both the organizations together before it gets too late.