Skopje, 5 December 2025 (MIA) – On the occasion of International Volunteer Day (Dec. 5), Members of Parliament joined volunteers from the Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia Friday morning to offer help wherever it was needed.

Activities include packing and distributing humanitarian aid, supporting homeless individuals, home-based support for elderly and infirm persons, social programs for seniors, assistance for people with disabilities, awareness campaigns in first aid and blood donation, and various other humanitarian and social activities within local communities.

Before heading out into the field, the President of the Red Cross, Romel Velev, addressed the MPs at the Red Cross premises in Skopje. He briefed then on organisation’s work, noting that this year they celebrated their 80th anniversary and that there are 22 municipal branches across the country.

“The Red Cross of the Republic of North Macedonia is working today side by side with a group of MPs, who demonstrated their readiness to dedicate their precious time, engage directly with people in the field and feel the true spirit of humanity,” Velev said.

He thanked them, saying that this example shows that volunteering is a universal value.

Parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi said that when they first discussed the idea, he liked it, as it aligned with the vision of bringing Parliament closer to the citizens.

Gashi congratulated everyone on International Volunteer Day and said that such initiatives should continue even off-camera.

He also noted that the Law on Volunteering is slightly outdated and requires revisions to better respond to contemporary challenges.

Photo: MIA