On World First Aid Day, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for children everywhere to be trained in first aid, and is urging Governments and Ministries of Education to make first aid a mandatory part of school curriculums.
“Children are particularly susceptible to accidents in their daily lives and are especially at risk during major emergencies, like natural disasters, conflicts and epidemics,” says HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, the IFRC’s 2016 goodwill ambassador for first aid. “Empowering young people as first aid providers will not just save lives. It will prepare them for a future in which they can be an active and responsible citizen in their local communities”.
An estimated one million children die every year from treatable injuries and millions more are hospitalized as a result of accidents like drowning, automobile crashes, falls and burns.
“Children are capable of saving the lives of themselves and others around them if they are equipped with first aid training,” said HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco, a former Olympic swimmer from South Africa and President of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation which aims to save lives by putting an end to drowning.
The IFRC is also calling on authorities to ensure that parents and other adults who are in regular and close contact with children are trained in first aid.
“Our goal is to ensure that communities everywhere are prepared to react effectively in times of crisis and to equip as many people as possible with skills that help save lives, regardless of their age,” said Elhadj As Sy, Secretary General of the IFRC. “We know that bystanders are often the first on the scene when emergencies occur and are the first critical help in the chain of saving lives and alleviating suffering.”
National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been the world’s leading first aid trainers and providers for more than 100 years. More than 46 million people receive Red Cross and Red Crescent first aid assistance each year. In 2014, 180,000 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff in 116 countries trained 15 million people in first aid. Currently, 76 National Societies run first aid courses designed for children.
“We believe at least one person in every household around the globe should be trained in first aid,” said Mr. Sy. “When ordinary people know what to do in everyday emergencies and have the confidence to use their skills, they become everyday heroes.”
Visit www.ifrc.org/first-aid-day to learn more.
About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
IFRC is the world`s largest humanitarian network comprising 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world.
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About the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation
The primary objective of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is to save lives by fighting against drowning.
It’s missions are to raise public awareness about the dangers of water, teach children preventive measures, and teach them to swim. Too many people drown worldwide. When a drowning is non-fatal, often the victim is left with severe aftereffects, in particular neurological. A number of “Learn to Swim” and “Water Safety” programmes have been implemented worldwide in order to fight against this affliction.
The Foundation’s actions are also based on the values of sport such as discipline, self-respect and respect for others, determination and team spirit. This is why the programme “Sport & Education” was created. It allows children, most notably through international sports events and exchanges, to open themselves up to different cultures.