Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) on Thursday signed a Letter of Understanding (LOU) for mobilizing, training and capacity building of students studying at educational institutions registered with the FDE. PRCS Secretary General Khalid bin Majeed and FDE Director General Zia Batool signed the document on behalf of their respective organizations. Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood, PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq, Federal Secretary Education Farah Hamid and other senior officials of PRCS and FDE were also present on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Shafqat Mehmood said Covid-19 has reshaped the whole world and changed the dynamics of behaviors and responsibilities, including in the educational institutions. He stressed the need for the people and the society to adapt to the changing scenarios following the pandemic. The minister highly appreciated the establishment of Red Crescent Corps (RCC) by the PRCS and termed it an initiative that will go a long way in training and capacity building of the youth and students to cope with any emergency situation or national-level disaster in future. He also hailed the services recently rendered by the PRCS to contain the spread of coronavirus in the country as well as mitigate the sufferings of the affected segments of society. PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq said the PRCS is a huge platform with presence in every nook and corner of the country in the shape of young volunteers and trained first aid providers. He said the PRCS can significantly help materialize government’s vision of bringing about a change in the society and building a better Pakistan for the generations to come. “We want government to own this platform and utilize its potential and expertise to ensure the desired change in society,” he underscored. Abrar ul Haq said the agreement between PRCS and FDE will help raise a force of trained volunteers under the umbrella of RCC which will be readily available to serve the humanity in the time of need. He said dedicated and trained volunteers are the backbone of PRCS who have always played a vital role in carrying out different activities in peace time or disaster-like situations as well as maintaining strong links and regular interaction with the communities. PRCS Secretary General Khalid bin Majeed said under the agreement, willing and motivated students from FDE-registered educational institutions will be enrolled as RCC members for voluntary humanitarian work in the time of need. He said first aid trainings will be imparted to students and faculty of all FDE-registered institutions. Under the umbrella of RCC, the PRCS and FDE will facilitate each other by effective co-ordination for blood donation camps at educational institutions, he said, adding that the two organizations will collaborate to organize cleanliness and hygiene drives, tree plantation campaigns, awareness sessions, environment conservation activities, school safety program activities and behavioral change activities.