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Thousands of participants are expected to join the yearly “Walk for Humanity” on Sunday, August 12, 2012.

The annual campaign and information dissemination of the International Humanitarian Law is now on its 6th year.

The theme for this year’s celebration of walk for humanity is “Itaguyod ang IHL: Sibilyan Pangalagaan.”

“The objective of the activity is to raise funds to support our awareness campaign and dissemination of the International Humanitarian Law. The people should know what IHL is,” Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Zamboanga City Chapter Administrator Victor Liozo Jr., said.

The walk will start at 5 o’ clock in the morning simultaneously from different points then the group will converge at the Joaquin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex and a program will immediately follow.

The guest during the program will be Mayor Celso Lobregat who is also one of the Governors of the PRC. 

The walk for humanity is in line with the IHL month which is being observed every August this year.

Aside from the walk for humanity, the 3rd IHL Hip-Hop Dance Competition will also take place at the grandstand.

According to Liozo, his office is expecting 15,000 people coming from the different sectors to join during the said activity.

The PRC Zamboanga City Chapter pioneered the Walk for Humanity and it is now being duplicated by other Red Cross Chapters.

The Walk for Humanity will be participated by employees of government, non-government employees, students, civic clubs and organization and other sectors of the community.

The participants in the mentioned event will be asked to donate P10.00 for students while P20.00 for adults.

The proceeds, according to Liozo, will go to the conduct of IHL advocacy campaign in the different barngays.

IHL is a set of rules which place restrictions on the use of weapons and methods of warfare, it protects people who are not or no longer participating in hostilities and it has the aim of protecting human dignity and to limit suffering during times of war.

The law requires parties to a conflict to distinguish combatants and civilians and to refrain from attacking civilians, care for the wounded and sick, ensure that the dignity of prisoners of war and civilian internees is preserved by allowing visits by International Committee of the Red Cross ICRC delegates.

It is protecting civilians, medical and religious military personnel, wounded, sick combatants and prisoner of war it is important because it is one of the most powerful tools the international community has at its disposal to ensure the safety and dignity of people in times of war with the guiding principles that even in war there are limits.

The IHL is applied in two situations during international conflicts which involved two countries and armed conflicts that take place in one country such as government and rebel forces and the IHL applies to all conflict parties regardless of who started it.

By R.G. Antonet Go