Fresh challenges

In the modern world, non-traditional challenges such as climate change, terrorism, food safety, mass migration and the rising trend of globalization have emerged rapidly and need to be addressed, according to Yves Daccord, director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Within China, the Red Cross can help with a range of new problems, such as caring for children left behind when their migrant worker parents move away from home, organizing organ donations for those in need of transplants, and the provision of first-aid training, according to Zhao.

Given its fundamental mission to protect humans, "China's Red Cross is more than a charity that simply raises and distributes donations", she said.

To better transform its role and functions to meet these new demands, the society must increase its capacities and make that fact known to the public and the government, she said.

In the past, "our humanitarian work mainly focused on disaster relief and emergency medical aid, but we now have to constantly broaden our horizons and provide more services to better fulfill our mission", she said.

During recent months, the China Red Cross has been recruiting workers to manage projects such as the control of smoking and tobacco, brand management and fund raising. "We are making efforts to become what the Chinese people expect us to be and to be able to do what they need us to do," said Zhao. "I hope the people will see that and give the Red Cross more support, including constructive criticism."

Contact the reporter at shanjuan@chinadaily.com.cn