Dear volunteer friends and friends of volunteers, Everyone likes to make a difference in life.
Nothing is more rewarding than making a difference to the lives of others.
This year we are celebrating and promoting the many unselfish volunteers who give of their time and emergy to make a difference to the lives of others. Never have voluntary efforts been more needed. I have been moved many times during the term of my Presidency of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. I have been moved by the dedication and commitment of our volunteers in the field and I firmly believe that the international system for provision of humanitarian assistance would be very much the weaker without them. With our presence in 176 countries, and with close to 100 million members and volunteers, we are there to meet humanitarian needs - across the world and across the street.