ERCS Provides Recognition To Ambassador Bekele Geleta

Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) provided recognition to Ambassador Bekele Geletas humanitarian services during his tenure in the ERCS and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) at a dinner reception organized in honor of him at the National Palace on May 23rd, 2014. Dr. Mulatu Teshome, President of F.D.R.E. and Patron of the ERCS expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Bekele for his unwavering contribution to Ethiopia, the ERCS, and the World as a whole. On behalf of the Government of F.D.R.E., the ERCS and myself, I would like to congratulate you for your exemplary humanitarian deeds which our government and the Society appreciate much and many people could learn from.Dr. Ahmed Reja, President of the ERCS on his part stated that Ambassador Bekeles role as a leader in emergency response to the most vulnerable communities particularly, during the drought occurred in Ethiopia in 1980s is always remarkable and honorable humanitarian service of him. He also expressed his gratefulness to Ambassador Bekele who has worked over 30 years in the humanitarian field. On behalf of the ERCS, I would like to thank Ambassador Bekele Geleta for his extraordinary humanitarian service throughout his career as Secretary General of ERCS from 1984-1988 and the IFRC from 2006 up to now, he said. Ambassador Bekele reflected on the event that he reiterated his commitment to keep supporting the ERCS and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. I am delighted that I did not expect such honorable recognition Ambassador Bekele said. I assure you that I will keep doing my level best to support the cause of ERCS and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement; I do not want to be emotional, I just say thank you very much for your credit. Ambassador Bekele, whose term as Secretary General of the IFRC will come to end in July, 2014, has served in the ERCS from 1984-1988 and in the IFRC from 2004 up to now. Under his leadership in ERCS, the Society has improved its operational efficiency and was able to help more people affected by drought occurred in 1980s, which resulted in tremendous decrease in death rate in a few months of his disaster response operation. Since his appointment as Secretary General of IFRC in 2008, Ambassador Bekele has developed a visionary approach reflected in the IFRCs ten-year Strategy 2020, which has enabled the networks 190 member National red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to increase their capacities in disaster management and risk reduction, health, and community development while enhancing humanitarian standards, disaster laws, transparency and accountability. He also initiated a robust humanitarian diplomacy across the network and enhanced existing systems and policies while driving innovative methods such as beneficiary communication and cash transfer programming in to effective practice. In the meantime, ERCS hands a memorial present to ambassador Bekele, and the Henry Davison Award to Dr. Dawit Zewdie (through his representative) who was the winner during the 19th General Assembly held in Australia. During the handing over ceremony, W/ro Frehiwot Worku, Secretary General of ERCS highlighted Dr. Dawits effort to expand humanitarian service in the country during his tenure as President of ERCS.