President Boakai Issues Month-Long Red Cross Proclamation

The President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has by Proclamation declared Friday, May 1–31, 2026, as World Red Cross Month and May 8, 2026, as World Red Cross Day, to be observed as a working holiday throughout the Republic.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, President Boakai has directed all civic and voluntary organizations, as well as government agencies concerned, to fully participate in the programs planned by the Liberian National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) to make the occasion meaningful and impactful.

The Proclamation calls upon all persons residing within the territorial limits of the Republic of Liberia to observe the event under the global theme: “United in Humanity” empowering solidarity and compassion in the face of global challenges, and recognizing the humanity of both volunteers and beneficiaries.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, this year’s theme is crucial for the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the local context, as it transforms abstract principles into concrete community action, strengthens local resilience, and enables impartial access to vulnerable populations.

The Proclamation reinforces that, regardless of a community’s background, national societies are unified in their commitment to serving people based solely on need, bringing together diverse groups under a shared goal, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance is delivered locally to all people without discrimination.

The Presidential proclamation further stated that, for more than 107 years, the devoted volunteers and members of the Liberian National Red Cross Society have responded to challenges across Liberia’s counties and communities with compassion and generosity delivering humanitarian relief, saving lives, and offering hope.

“Empowering local actors highlights the crucial role of staff and volunteers, who are the first to arrive and the last to leave during local disasters, emphasizing that humanity begins at home, with members of their own family,” the proclamation states.

The proclamation stresses that the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, recognized under the Geneva Conventions ratified by the Republic of Liberia in 1954, has consistently rendered timely and relevant services to distressed and needy people around the world in times of trouble, sickness, war, natural calamity, and other disasters.

The Presidential proclamation informs that the events will focus on highlighting the universal presence and impact of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in humanitarian service. Activities will be held in Liberia’s 15 counties, with the Liberian Red Cross focusing on giving and helping others in need, membership recruitment and certification, demonstrating kindness toward humanity, and appreciating those who have offered help and support to people in need.

The proclamation further notes that, after more than 150 years since its founding, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is present in more than 192 countries, providing humanitarian services to vulnerable communities and reaffirming its commitment to continue doing so.

The release emphasized that ensuring access through neutrality allows local Red Cross branches to navigate challenging social, religious, or political environments to reach the most vulnerable, upholding the neutrality required to gain community trust.

The Foreign Ministry release also informs that the Liberia National Red Cross Society will implement a comprehensive May-month plan to strengthen local humanitarian actions, build partnerships, mobilize resources, and enhance visibility through activities such as local donations, community service days, partnership dialogues, membership drives, fundraising campaigns, and media engagements.

The presidential proclamation adds that these activities will be held across Liberia’s fifteen counties and will include donations to orphanages and elderly homes, support to families in urgent need, environmental clean-up campaigns, meetings with key stakeholders, and the launch of the “Give a Dollar, Save a Life” campaign.