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UNIFIL peacekeepers donate blood during Ramadan

On World Blood Donor Day UNIFIL Chief, Maj Gen Michael Beary donates blood along with Brig Gen Francesco Olla, UNIFIL’s Sector West Commander.

Major Nina Raduha, UNIFIL’s Slovenian Contingent commander, settles into the medical chair and stretches out her arm. Along with 100 UNIFIL peacekeepers from Italy, Slovenia, Ireland and Armenia, Major Raduha has volunteered to donate her blood to the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC). An LRC medic straps the peacekeeper’s arm, and looks for a vein. As the blood starts to fill the bag Major Raduha says, “Every drop counts. This is a small step to make a contribution to the Lebanese population.”

Blood transfusions are commonly used in trauma-related injuries, cardiovascular surgery and transplant surgery. The UNIFIL blood donation event was organized on 14 June, marking World Blood Donor Day.

“The initiative came about when discussing Ramadan and the difficulties Lebanese people observing Ramadan were facing,” explains Brigadier General Francesco Olla, UNIFIL’s Sector West Commander, as he too donates a unit of blood. “Today is World Blood Donor Day so it was a great opportunity to do that. But we are prepared to give even more donations not only on the 14th of June but also where needed, anytime."

Imad Hilal, from the LRC blood transfusion services agrees, “Donations decline in the holy month of Ramadan, because when people are fasting they cannot donate blood. This leads to a shortage. Even on normal days the donations are not enough to meet the people’s needs, and that is why the donation from UNIFIL today is of great help.”

The blood collected through mobile blood drives such as this is transported back to the LRC branches and is distributed across Lebanon. In order to reduce waste, the donated blood is separated into various components such as plasma and platelets, so the receiving patient receives only the component they need.

As Major General Michael Beary, UNIFIL’s Head of Mission and Force Commander, provides his unit of blood he contextualizes the day, “We have protection of civilians as part of our mandate. This really is just a small gesture in that direction, whereby we provide our blood to share with the people of Lebanon in an emergency situation this helps everybody.”

The mission of the LRC Blood Transfusion Services (BTS) is to ensure self-sufficiency in terms of blood products throughout the Lebanese territory.  Blood donation by 1 per cent of the population can meet a nation’s basic requirements for blood. Fifty-seven countries collect 100 per cent of their blood supply from voluntary, unpaid blood donors.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Article: Aoibheann O’SullivanVideo Camera: Mohamad HamzeVideo Editor: Suzane BaderddinePhotos: Pascual Gorriz---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------