This year’s theme—"On the Side of Humanity"—underscores the enduring significance of these principles, with a special focus on Humanity first: the foundation of all humanitarian action – the principle of humanity has always been a driving force of humanitarian action, seeking to prevent or alleviate suffering wherever it may be found. It is the essential principle that makes all other humanitarian principles possible. Without humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence would lack meaning.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is the world's largest humanitarian organization with more than 17 million volunteers working to provide various humanitarian services to victims of natural disasters and conflicts around the world. Committed to its fundamental principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality, these principles express the values and practices of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. They always guide the actions and decisions of the International Movement and all its personnel in all situations, and they ensure the continuity of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's humanitarian work.
The Sudanese Red Crescent Society, in cooperation with its partners, provides a diverse package of humanitarian services to meet the urgent needs of victims of the ongoing war in Sudan. Its services include protection and life-saving aid such as food, medicine, and shelter. It also helps residents cope with and recover from crises through a number of programs, including psychological support programs, disaster preparedness and response, reducing disaster risks in communities and climate change, strengthening the resilience of local communities to climate change in Sudan, restoring family links and reuniting families separated by war, in addition to promoting humanitarian values and international humanitarian law, dissemination the culture of peace, and providing refugee protection services, along with community development and care.
The Society provides these services thanks to the tireless dedication of its volunteers and staff, who work with happiness and complete satisfaction. Mrs. Aida Al-Sayed Abdullah, the SRCS secretary-general, said, "We at the Sudanese Red Crescent Society provide humanitarian assistance to citizens affected by the war in Sudan, which has entered its third year and created a humanitarian situation that has made Sudan the largest humanitarian disaster in the world." We do this in compliance with the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which has made our association the humanitarian organization capable of working in all eighteen states of Sudan. We affirm our commitment and continuity to help vulnerable groups in community through our volunteers spread throughout Sudan with complete neutrality and impartiality. As we renew our celebration of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, we express our gratitude and appreciation to all volunteers in Sudan and around the world who stand with humanity every day, wherever they are and whenever they are, contributing everything they have to help people affected by conflicts and humanitarian crises. They do not only provide relief, but also give hope, solidarity, and support to those in need, making a positive impact on people's lives and saving their lives despite the multiple challenges they face. She added, "Our shared commitment to humanity is not just a guiding principle, it is a lifeline. Supporting humanity is not just a goal; it’s our imperative, ensuring that even in the darkest moments, we remain on the side of humanity and stand firm in safeguarding humanitarian space.