The 68^th edition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was celebrated in Cameroon on Saturday May 9, 2015.

Helping individuals in their sufferings and providing them their most urgent needs in times of distress is one of the most important missions of the International Red cross and Red Crescent Movement.  The 68^th edition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was celebrated in Cameroon on Saturday May 9, 2015 on the theme “Our Principles in Action”.

Speaking at the occasion, the President of the Cameroon Red Cross, William Aurélien Eteki Mboumoua said the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement does not make any distinction of nationality, race, religion, social condition and political adherence. He called on his collaborators to remain faithful to the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for the popularity of the country.  

Adopted in Austria in 1965, the seven fundamental principles are the expression of the practices and values of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. These are humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, volunteerism, unity and universality. A series of activities were organised nationwide during the week to mark the day. These include conferences; clean up campaigns, sensitisation on the fundamental principles, visit to orphanages and athletic walk, among others. This year, apart from the traditional march past in some parts of the capital city, a conference on the fundamental principles took place at the headquarters of the Cameroon Red Cross on May 6, 2015 and two sensitisation caravans went through major roads in Yaounde on May 7 and 8, 2015.

Since 1947, the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated every May 8. The date is the birthday of the founder on the movement, Henry Dunant. It is an occasion for societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent to organise various activities in order to bring into limelight the role of the Movement in their respective countries.