IFRC President visits Cyprus

President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Francesco Rocca visits Cyprus

Nicosia, 12 February, 2019--The Cyprus Red Cross Society is delighted to welcome the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Francesco Rocca, who is on an official visit to Cyprus for three days.

Mr Rocca will meet with local dignitaries including the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Christodoulides and Minister of Interior Constantinos Petrides. He will also spend time with Red Cross staff and volunteers.

Mr Rocca will hold a press conference with local media on Wednesday 13 February, between 11.30am and 12.30pm at the Cyprus Red Cross Society Headquarters in Nicosia.

Mrs Fotini Papadopoulou, President of Cyprus Red Cross Society said: “Mr Rocca’s visit is of great importance to the Cyprus Red Cross Society. He heads 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies all over the world. It is an honour for us that he chose Cyprus for an official visit.”

This is Mr Rocca’s first visit to Cyprus as President of the IFRC and part of his visit will acknowledge the work the Cyprus Red Cross Society does in migration.

“Cyprus Red Cross Society is a small National Society yet it does its share of heavy lifting when it comes to assisting vulnerable migrants. In 2018 alone, they helped more than 10,000 people, of whom 2,600 were migrants. I look forward to seeing the work it does on the ground, especially the contribution made by its youth volunteers,” Mr Rocca said.

Mr Rocca will also visit the Stella Soulioti Children Therapy Centre which provides therapy for children and young people with physical and mental disabilities.

Cyprus Red Cross Society has 42 staff and 4,000 volunteers, with an active Youth Section. In addition it has six branches and two local units. Its areas of focus include migration, psychosocial support, first aid, disaster management, restoring family links, and EU programmes.

For further information on Mr Rocca’s visit please contact the Director General of Cyprus Red Cross Society, Christina Kapartis on [email protected] or +357 22 504 400 or IFRC Europe Communications Manager Corinne Ambler +36 704 306 506.

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