“SLRCS has a strong volunteer base of which majority are youth,” Orman Bangura said. He noted that the SLRCS is a relevant partner in government youth implementation programmes.

Mr. Sandy expressed his gratitude to the minister for the recognition of the Society’s leadership in humanitarian services, adding that his organization remains committed to the provision of much needed support to vulnerable communities across the country.  The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, he noted, is believed to be the biggest humanitarian organization with a huge base of active volunteers and local district/branch structures that are strategically focused on youth development (among other things), because about 70% of the Society’s esteemed volunteers are youth.

The Secretary General said that as part of its auxiliary role to government, the SLRCS has developed 2019 Operational Plan which he pointed was in line with the government’s new direction agenda.

The Secretary General further called on the minister to help in Advocacy with the Government for the allocation of Annual Subventions to the Society and the issuance of a tax/duty waiver; as clearly enshrined in the revised SLRCS Act of 2012.

The Secretary General informed the minister that as a result of Executive Order number one, the Society has been facing serious challenges with the importation of essential supplies for vulnerable communities, with two containers full of food and non-food items originally intended for mudslide victims now being listed on the government’s action list.