| James Kon |
THE Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) yesterday marked World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2018 with the launching of its ‘Building a Resilient Community towards Vision 2035’ programme, at The Centrepoint Hotel.
The launching was officiated by Minister of Communications Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof.
The programme outlined four-long term initiatives to be achieved: first-aid for the community, a road safety culture, a safe school programme and establishing safety culture within the community.
In his speech, President of the BDRCS Haji Mohd Suhaimi bin Haji Ibrahim, said, “The Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society will be carrying out a basic first-aid training programme in all mukims across the country, to train the public on the importance of basic first-aid for saving lives. The long-term goal is to accomplish the objective of having a ‘first-aider’ for each home or family by 2035.”
On the second initiative, “It is about empowering and generating a road safety culture, especially among youths in schools. Addressing the importance of such a culture can help reduce the risk of road traffic accidents, while helping to reduce and lower fatality rates.”
The BDRCS will implement the road safety programmes through seminars, workshops and awareness camps for youth, students and village residents.
Through this initiative, said Haji Mohd Suhaimi, “A basic first-aid programme will also be conducted for the benefit of car drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists and members of the public who use the road for recreational activities such as jogging.”
He also disclosed that the BDRSC has set a long-term target for achieving the remaining two initiatives.
Yesterday’s proceedings also saw the minister presenting badges and certificates to the executive members of the BDRCS, including the association’s Lifetime Honorary President, Datin Hajah Siti Hajar binti Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Yusof.
Certificates were also presented to BDRSC members who responsible for organising fundraisers and overseeing special projects.