Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Remembering Road Traffic Victims & Their Families


WORLD DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (WDR)

The Association for Safe International Road Travel (ASIRT- Kenya) invites you to join us in the World Day of Remembrance on Sunday 16th November 2008. The event begins with a processional walk at 12noon, Freedom Corner in Uhuru Park to KICC, and 130pm at KICC launched by President Daniel Arap Moi.

This is a day established by the United Nations (UN Resolution 60/05) and calls on all governments to mark the third Sunday in November each year as World Day of Remembrance for road traffic victims. It was created as a means to give recognition to victims of road traffic crashes and their loved ones.

Why mark it?
Road crashes in Kenya are a leading cause of death and account for over 30,000 injuries per year. Many of the injured are permanently disabled, and many are unable to contribute to the well-being of their families or themselves, causing great hardship for many more. We know that all of these injuries and deaths are predictable and preventable. We know that our road culture can be changed and that the responsibility lies with the government, the administration, and with us as individual drivers, passengers, pedestrians and cyclists.

During the observation of this day we will review the epidemiology of the problem, what are the obstacles to change, and how we can actually change road culture in Kenya. We will honour the victims of road carnage by making roads and road users safer.

Where will it be?
This event will start with a walk at Freedom Corner within Uhuru Park at 12 noon and end at The Kenyatta International Conference Centre – KICC. The walk will include school children with reflective arm bands, victims of road crashes in wheel chairs, family members, friends and the general public.

At KICC President Daniel Arap Moi will launch events at 1:30. There will be an inter-denominational service; a large memorial quilt comprised of hand-written memorials to victims of the road, and more quilt squares for people to sign at KICC. There will also be a children’s essay contest, several exhibits, information, memorial candle-lighting and entertainment.

Who?
Many dignitaries have been invited to the event which will be launched by retired President Daniel Arap Moi who is also a road crash victim. Neuro-traumatologist, Mr. David Oluouch-Olunya, will be our Master of Ceremonies.

It is our hope that collaboration with the Government of Kenya, World Health Organization, road safety organizations, medical organizations, media, religious leaders, driving schools, road crash victims and their families and various companies will come together to promote immediate change, including the immediate implementation of the National Road Safety Plan.

Come join Glen and Kim Edmunds as they help bring recognition to this day.