ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Red Crescent Society Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Lagahri held a high-profile meeting with His Excellency UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Muhammad Yahya at the UN office on Monday. The meeting marked a pivotal moment in the cooperation between the PRCS and the United Nations and reaffirmed their shared commitment to alleviate human suffering and advance humanitarian efforts.
President Laghari congratulated Mohamed Yahya on assuming his new role as UN Resident Coordinator in Pakistan and highlighted it as a milestone in the PRCS-UN partnership. Discussions at the meeting revolved around issues of common concern, particularly focusing on building resilience in communities and effective coordination through cooperation between UN entities and PRCS programmes. He also highlighted the cooperation of the PRCS program with partner organizations including IFRC, ICRC, NorCross, German Red Cross, Turkish Red Crescent and various national societies.
PRCS Secretary General Muhammad Abaidullah Khan and UN OCHA Head of Office Carlos Geha were present to provide a comprehensive platform for dialogue and cooperation. Chairman Laghari provided an insight into the ongoing programs and projects of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, highlighting the historic 2022 PRCS monsoon floods and ongoing recovery efforts.
With the PRCS boasting the largest volunteer base in the country, Chairman Laghari highlighted the organisation’s commitment to serving humanity. He emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership between UN entities and the PRCS by aligning programs and projects on disaster response and preparedness, health care, food security, water and sanitation, gender equality, volunteer engagement, child protection, climate resilience, innovation and technology and capacity. Building.
He appreciated the humanitarian efforts of PRCS headed by Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari in providing relief to the vulnerable especially during times of crisis. He emphasized the need for joint efforts in strengthening community resilience and expressed interest in exploring opportunities for collaboration and exchange of knowledge and expertise on search and rescue and emergency planning for disaster preparedness. Yahya emphasized the key role both organizations play in confronting the challenges of climate change and its impacts.
Mohamed Yahya and UN OCHA Head of Office Carlos Geha pledged to visit the PRCS National Headquarters in the coming days, further cementing the partnership.
At the end of the meeting, Chairman Laghari presented a PRCS commemorative souvenir and book highlighting the achievements of the PRCS under the leadership of Chairman Laghari to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohamed Yahya, symbolizing the spirit of humanitarian cooperation between the PRCS and the UN.
