Hon Alaileula tuku'aho and Hon Salote Tuku'aho

Tonga marked the World Red Cross Day 2012 on May 8 under a theme "Youth on the Move", and recruited 80 new volunteers to carry out its humanitarian work of assisting people who are most vulnerable.

Hon. Alaileula Tuku'aho, the chairperson of the Tonga Red Cross Society board, said that "Youth on the Move" was an important message that acknowledged the work of TRCS volunteers and youth. "They are the backbone of this organization's work in corresponding to people most vulnerable in times of natural disasters, and helping to teach children with intellectual disabilities."

The event called on new volunteers and attracted up to 80 new recruitments ranging from young people to older people of various professions, who pledged their support to the organisation.

A new Response Team of 20 people were awarded Certificates in First Aid training, at the event held at the Tonga Red Cross Society main office in Nuku'alofa.

Tonga Red Cross previously had up to 15-25 current active volunteers.

Leadership

Aloma Johansson, a TRCS board member, said the theme recognized the power of young leadership and showed the inspirational work by youths and volunteers in supporting the people in Tonga, "making better use of our volunteers and to give them a sense of ownership of Red Cross activities to assist the most vulnerable, which is the heart of our work," she said.

Volunteers

'Eva Tu'uholoaki, the Program Manager, said the new volunteers were needed as times were tougher, especially with the challenge of climate change and tropical cyclones.

"Their work is very important, and we have witnessed how our volunteers answered our call for help. They assisted us to relocate people who were flooded out of their homes by heavy rain and to hand out basic supplies after the last Tropical Cyclone Jasmine."

She said volunteers also helped to teach children with intellectual disabilities at their centre. "All of our volunteers are trained in immediate response and first aid, before they are assigned," she said.

The event was also attended by Hon. Salote Tuku'aho.