Dear colleagues,

I look to the new year ahead and I am hopeful. We live in a time where everything is connected. What affects you affects me, and what affects me affects you. Once, this notion might have inspired fear. Today, I believe it brings opportunity.

We are a family of 187 National Societies. Like all families, sometimes we quarrel. But when it comes down to what counts, we unite. With solidarity and through the strength of our network, we can make an even greater impact on humanity in the months ahead.

The more people that hear about our good work, the more we can influence the humanitarian agenda and the better we can serve. For these reasons, we must not be shy in promoting our work. We must intensify our efforts to be recognized as a long-term, developmentally-oriented service provider. The growth and sustainability of our network depends on it. We must also continue to be seen as the leading agency in responding to emergencies.

As in any family, we have the chance to help each other become stronger. We must continue to invest in strengthening National Society capacities, so that our individual and joint responses can be most effective. With the rise in climate and environment-related disasters, as well as incidents rooted in discontent from social inequality, the need for a strong Red Cross and Red Crescent presence in every community is even more vital.

Forging partnerships can also play a role in increasing our impact. By leveraging the resources and reach of other institutions – be they corporate, academic, non-governmental or civil society – we can do more and do better. But we must choose the right partners: those that share our values and that can make a practical difference in amplifying our effectiveness. With our 187 strong network, imagine the remarkable partnership opportunities that we could develop, together.

In this fast-changing world which can at times be overwhelming, our family, our network, is uniquely positioned to play a transformative role in making the world a more humane place to be. By serving the vulnerable, giving voice to those that cannot be heard, empowering communities, building a culture of peace, and mobilizing partners around the world, I believe we can help build a better future and a better world. One that is more comforting and compassionate. For our entire Movement, this is what I hope for in this new year.

I send with this message my best wishes and my continued support to you and your National Societies.

Sincerely,

Bekele Geleta