On International Volunteer Day, an awards ceremony was held to honour volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response teams

International Volunteer Day is about those who remain by our side in the most challenging moments. On this day, an official awards ceremony took place in Kyiv to recognise volunteers of the Ukrainian Red Cross emergency response teams from various regions of the country.

The event brought together more than 100 participants — those who are the first to arrive at the scene of emergencies, who save lives, evacuate people, support the work of rescue services and help those affected: from providing first aid and taking part in evacuations to responding to the consequences of emergencies alongside first responders.

For their tireless work, endurance, dedication, selfless service, resilience and courage, as well as their contribution to saving lives, the volunteers received awards and letters of appreciation from the Ukrainian Red Cross. The honours were presented by Mykola Polishchuk, President of the Ukrainian Red Cross; Maksym Dotsenko, Director General; and Volodymyr Demchuk, Deputy Head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine.

“Being a volunteer is not a job — it is a choice. It is action. And it is action that changes destinies and saves lives,” emphasised Mykola Polishchuk during the ceremony.

We sincerely thank each and every one of you for your support, courage and willingness to help, regardless of the circumstances. Thank you for being there.