The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) has reached its 90th anniversary, a journey that includes paying the ultimate sacrifice, according to Abera Lulesa, Secretary-General of the ERCS.
The 90th anniversary of the Society's establishment in Ethiopia is currently being celebrated, with the presence of its Patron and President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie.
In his speech for the occasion, ERCS Secretary-General Abera recalled that the Ethiopian Red Cross Society was established and providing services in 1888 E.C. (Ethiopian Calendar) during the reign of Emperor Menelik, even before its formal establishment by proclamation during Emperor Haile Selassie's era in 1928 E.C.
He further clarified that the Society was officially established by proclamation and gained international recognition on July 1, 1927 E.C.
Just a year after its establishment, with the outbreak of the Ethio-Italian war, the then-under-resourced Ethiopian Red Cross Society deployed its available human resources, making remarkable contributions, even to the extent of sacrificing lives.
The Secretary-General highlighted that the ERCS was a pioneering institution in Ethiopia's health sector, becoming the first organization to open a nursing school in the country in 1941 E.C.
He added that this Society played a crucial role in Ethiopia's peacekeeping missions in Korea and Congo. The humanitarian journey that began 90 years ago has now blossomed into a long-standing institution with over 6.8 million members.