INTERNATIONAL RED STAR

        International Red Star believes that true humanitarian relief can only be provided on a voluntary basis. True humanitarians do not wish to be paid for lending a helping hand to others who are in distress. Help should be provided purely for reasons inherent in the concepts of brotherhood, solidarity, love and compassion. In this we differ from all other non-governmental organisations (NGOs), such as Red Cross, Care, and World Vision etc, whose relief workers render their services for money. When money is donated by the public to these NGOs, a considerable proportion goes towards paying their staff. When money is donated to Red Star nothing is wasted on salaries, since no-one asks for payment.

        The practical effectiveness of our approach has already been fully demonstrated in Sri Lanka. During the darkest days following the tsunami, it was the Relief Forces of Red Star Sri Lanka who first came to the people's rescue, and carried out the most difficult and important tasks. Later our Red Star members rebuilt railways, bridges, houses, and continued to help the survivors for a long time. They worked on the basis of "all for one-one for all" since they know that what unites us is stronger than what divides us.

        The 2004 tsunami led to a humanitarian revolution in Sri Lanka. It brought about a second tsunami of brotherhood, solidarity, love and compassion which has reached all parts of the world. International Red Star is a reflection of this. It sends out a call to humanitarians of all lands to respond to the epic achievements of Red Star Sri Lanka by founding similar Red Stars in their own countries. These can then take their place alongside Sri Lankan Red Star, and work together in the name of humanity.

        Delegates all over the world from International Red Star will be invited to meet next year at a conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka to launch the International Red Star programme.