The International Day of Charity is commemorated annually on 5 September to create awareness and mobilise people, NGOs, and stakeholders to help those in need through volunteer and philanthropic activities.
On World Charity Day, the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) thanks all partners for supporting our work and urgently appeal for further donations to fulfil our mandate of serving the most vulnerable communities.
“Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care, education, housing and child protection. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and underprivileged and spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations”, according to SARCS Acting CEO Lindel Papiah.
South Africans are overwhelmingly supportive towards their society, according to a report by the Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa, which claims almost 90% of persons surveyed had given to charitable causes over the previous year.
“As an emergency response organisation, we need support that covers the breadth of Red Cross work rather than a single project. This gives flexibility to respond immediately, wherever and whenever we are needed”, added Papiah.
For online donations please visit www.redcross.org.za, or download the SARCS Mobile App on Google Play or App Store.
Editor’s Note: The South African Red Cross Society was founded in 1921 and is a member organisation of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). As the largest volunteer driven organisation in the world, the Red Cross Society has over 100 million members and a presence in 189 countries. SARCS has 400 staff members and approximately 3 000 volunteers, based around 34 branch offices in nine provinces, to effectively and efficiently implement humanitarian interventions.
