FREE!

Dear Red Cross colleagues,

Do you recognize that feeling of freedom? That you can decide what you want to do and where you want to go? I've missed that so much lately. Little by little it came back, to disappear again. It was a matter of perseverance. And this didn't just happen to me; many of you will recognize it. We weren't able to just visit a store and look around, there were no parties with friends or family, it was not possible to visit relatives who live elsewhere in the world and there were no tourists coming to the islands.

At the same time, I realize all too well that there are places in the world where the situation is very different. Where relaxing the measures does not directly lead to a greater sense of freedom, because there is a conflict going on or because there are other disasters in addition to corona that have a major impact on people's well-being.

At the beginning of May I was present at Remembrance Day on the Dam Square in Amsterdam. As I stood there, I thought of all those Red Cross colleagues who gave their lives for others. And that still happens, every day our people all over the world set out to help others - at the risk of their own lives.

Since the start of corona, we as an organization have been trying to fight the pandemic and play a role in the vaccination program. On the mainland, but also overseas. It is a privilege to live in a country where all people have the right to be vaccinated. The annual report on our corona assistance shows that our help is still badly needed. Although for some the corona crisis has faded into the background, many people experience its consequences every day. Simply because there is no money to buy food. We hope to help these people with our food interventions. 

For many of us, the holiday season is upon us again. A great moment to take some time for the stories in this HENRY+. I'm looking forward to my vacation. No bulging agenda for a while, but time and space to organize my day myself. I hope you will enjoy your holiday and free time to the fullest.

Sincerely,

Marieke van Schaik 

Managing Director