On the eve of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, which also marks the 128th anniversary of the Porto branch, Luís Sena de Vasconcelos revealed that approximately 5,000 individuals have improved their daily lives due to the Red Cross’s efforts. He aims to increase this number by attracting more sponsors and supportive partners to the institution’s “Red’Amiga” initiative.
“At the Red Cross, we believe in the power of solidarity. By joining Red’Amiga, friends and patrons are investing in the education of over 100 children, assisting more than 200 vulnerable families, combating social isolation for over 300 elderly individuals, aiding more than 4,000 emergency cases, and training 1,500 citizens to act in emergencies,” he articulated.
In 2024, CVP-Porto conducted 4,198 emergency responses, provided 4,091 volunteer hours, and completed 2,988 adapted transport services as directed by the Urgent Patient Guidance Center (CODU).
CVP-Porto’s School of First Aid delivered 192 courses to 1,545 trainees, accumulating a total of 1,869 hours of first aid training.
“We are present with field hospitals at major sports and cultural events in Porto. Last year, we participated in 70 events, assisting tens of thousands of people, and heavily relied on volunteers,” Vasconcelos stated, highlighting the delegation’s other services which include a family support office assisting around 150 families with rent, food, and hygiene supplies.
Vasconcelos also mentioned shared apartments for immigrants, a technical aids department offering articulated beds, bathroom equipment, and wheelchairs, as well as nurseries, day centers, and home services for isolated individuals or teleassistance.
“We want to expand certain areas and improve, and for that, we need the Red’Amiga. People contribute voluntarily to the Red Cross. It’s 24 euros a year, a coffee a month. For individuals, it’s a small amount, but for us, it can make a significant difference. Our goal is to have at least 1,000 supporters during this term,” he explained.
Currently, the Red’Amiga initiative in Porto – which seeks to involve businesses and individuals in humanitarian missions to promote a more dignified and solidary society – has fewer than 100 members.
Vasconcelos aspires to increase this number to 1,000 “in the shortest possible time.”
“We have areas that generate and consume resources. Our goal is to create a sustainable operation to reduce dependence on the state. We collaborate closely with Social Security, the city council, and INEM, our partners to whom we provide services. We aim to secure more support, which may not always be financial but material, such as recruiting more volunteers from Porto’s civil society,” he concluded.
