Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have recognised the efforts of their volunteers and staff in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.   The organisations say they are "immensely proud" to recognise the hard work of their volunteers and staff who are doing everything they can to support communities affected by the COVID-19.   The appreciation came ahead of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day which falls on May 8.    “Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, a part of the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is everywhere for everyone, every day,” said Md Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General of BDRCS.   This year is even more challenging.   By Thursday, Bangladesh confirmed 12,425 coronavirus cases and 199 deaths.   BDRCS said Red Crescent volunteers are at work, despite huge risk to themselves, helping vulnerable individuals and communities to protect themselves from COVID-19, and the BDRCS continues to provide many other services that people need to keep themselves safe and healthy.   They said each and every volunteer in Bangladesh deserves applause, and encouraged everyone to #KeepClapping on May 8.   Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers have been active in communities since the novel coronavirus was first detected in the country. The COVID-19 response activities have been carried out alongside other humanitarian works that Bangladesh Red Crescent is well known for.    With support from the ICRC and IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Partner National Societies and others, every year, BDRCS reaches almost two million people with a diverse range of services tailored to local needs.   Azmat Ulla, the Head of IFRC Bangladesh Country Office, said: “When we practise physical distancing to break the transmission, it’s extremely important to have social solidarity and support.”    He said it is difficult time for everyone but he sees “so much hope in the bravery and dedication of Bangladesh Red Crescent Youth volunteers, the community volunteers, cyclone preparedness volunteers countrywide”.   “This solidarity will help us not only survive this pandemic, but also help it to thrive afterwards,” he said.   Pierre Dorbes, the Head of Delegation for ICRC in Bangladesh, said: “Beyond the public health crisis, the COVID-19 epidemic is impacting the economic security of millions of Bangladeshi people while for displaced people from [Myanmar’s] Rakhine, this is another factor of vulnerability.    “The ICRC together with other partners of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement stands side by side with all those vulnerable people in such an unprecedented crisis.”

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