The name of the Red Cross organization in Bulgaria is an emblem not only of disaster and crisis relief aid, but is also a symbol of humanity and a humane society. This is what President Rumen Radev said at a meeting with Francesco Rocca – President of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The guest is visiting Bulgaria on the occasion of marking 140 years since the Bulgarian Red Cross was established, which  is under the auspices of the Bulgarian Head of State.  The meeting at 2 Dondukov street was attended by Hristo Grigorov, president of the Bulgarian Red Cross and Dr. Sofia Stoimenova, director general of the organization, and also by other members of the International Federation, which has 190 national associations as members, together with the Bulgarian Red Cross.

President Rumen Radev thanked Francesco Rocca for the support the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies offers to the Bulgarian Red Cross. The biggest volunteer organization not only rescues victims of disasters, but also offers social and health care for the children in need, elderly and lonely people, it creates the feeling that somebody is ready to help without payment, risking their life, President Radev said. In his words, namely humanity and gratuitous support are one of the pillars of every society.

Francesco Rocca expressed satisfaction with the activity of the Bulgarian Red Cross not only in Bulgaria, but also in the region and said that the Bulgarian organization plays a leading role in the Balkans and this potential should be utilized. “You should be proud of the young Bulgarians who energetically devote themselves to volunteer activities and set an example in this respect,” Rocca added.  The guest briefed President Radev on a project for the establishment of a disaster preparedness logistics center in Bulgaria to attend to the whole region and also a school for paramedics from the Balkan region. The Head of State welcomed the initiative and emphasized that a regional center of this kind provides the opportunity for adequate and timely reactions to different crises. Such a project will improve the contacts between the volunteers from the region, President Radev further said.