New Hariko site in Esch-sur-Alzette; Credit: Luxembourg Red Cross

According to the Luxembourg Red Cross' 2017 activity report, released earlier today, last year witnessed many projects and strategic achievements for the non-profit association, including volunteers helping over 200,000 Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar.

In the field of international aid, Marc Crochet, deputy director general, detailed the most emblematic actions of recent months, stating: "We mobilised €1 million from our emergency fund for populations threatened with famine in East Africa. From October 2017, the Emergency Response Unit Benelux was deployed in Bangladesh, with Luxembourg volunteers, to provide relief supplies to more than 200,000 Rohingya refugees who fled Myanmar." He also emphasised the strengthening of current efforts to deal with other crisis situations in Africa, namely related to armed violence in Niger, Cameroon and Chad.

In the health sector, the focus has been on the recent opening of the Château de Colpach Rehabilitation Centre, which houses the National Post-Oncological Rehabilitation Service and the National Physical Rehabilitation Service. They offer a total of 60 beds for patients who require care for optimal recovery of functional performance and an improvement in their independence and quality of life. 

Finally, the new Hariko address was announced. Created in 2016, this project contributes to the development of young people aged 12 to 26, through art and creativity. 22 artists in residence and 9 dancers and musicians offer free workshops to young people. The planned demolition of the Sogel building where it is housed imposes a new site, recently signed with the City of Esch-sur-Alzette, on Rue de l'Eglise. There was also discussion of the potential opening of a Hariko in Ettelbruck Spring 2019.