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In these two short days in Sindh after our trip into Swat Valley, we had been exposed to an extraordinary amount of misery and displacement. We had also seen evidence of a strong, experienced Red Crescent Society doing what our international movement does best: responding to the needs of the most vulnerable in times of disaster.
It was incredible to see the full range of staff and volunteers working together, from senior management and disaster response coordinators and governance volunteers in the branches to the dedicated volunteers working in the camps. I was reminded of Henry Dunant’s founding words: “tutti fratelli” – we are one united family working toward one common humanitarian cause: responding to the needs of the most vulnerable.
My time in Pakistan was very intense and equally informative. I came away in confidence that we are partnering with an experienced and capable sister National Society. Our own Canadian Red Cross delegates posted in the country are working side-by-side with their Pakistan Red Crescent counterparts. And most importantly, I could report back to Canadians that the funds they are entrusting to us are being put to good use, as they intended they would be when they invested their trust in their Red Cross.
On my way to the Islamabad airport to fly back to Ottawa, I stopped in at the hotel where our Basic Health Care Emergency Response Unit team had just arrived. These seven skilled delegates were about to journey to the front lines of this calamity.
They certainly have a great deal of essential work ahead of them as they deliver urgently-needed health services alongside our Pakistan Red Crescent friends.