World Red Cross Day, also known as Red Crescent Day, is marked annually on May 8. It honors the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman and the founder of the Red Cross, the world’s largest humanitarian aid organization. He was the founder of (ICRC) International Committee of the Red Cross and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
Dunant was the first Nobel Peace Prize winner. The Red Cross supports those in need during emergencies and conflicts. On the World Red Cross Day volunteers promote the mission and principles of the 161-year-old international aid organization which has national chapters in 192 countries.
World Red Cross Day: History and Significance
World Red Cross Day traces its roots to 1859 after Swiss businessman Henry Dunant was deeply moved by the lack of treatment given to soldiers and civilians at the Battle of Solferino in Italy. A few years later, in 1863, Dunant organized volunteer-supported relief societies that committed to providing non-partisan help to the wounded during wartime or conflict.
The same year, Dunant and five colleagues established the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which evolved into the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The aid organization soon became popular as simply Red Cross, after its emblem which was inspired by the Swiss National flag. In World War I and World War II, the Red Cross played an important role in aiding injured civilians and prisoners of war. Today it has many local and national chapters across the globe.
The Red Cross’s significance in the world of human rights is enormous. The non-profit’s motto “Per Humanitatem ad Pacem”, which means “With humanity, towards peace”, espouses the message of world peace. The organization is active in conflict zones or sites of natural disasters.
It is credited with codifying the Geneva Conventions, a four-point treaty, about how soldiers and civilians should be treated during war. All 196 countries in the world have ratified the four Geneva Conventions.
As per Geneva Conventions: all civilians, even those in occupied territory should be protected; prisoners of war must be treated with humanity; sick, wounded, medical and religious personnel should not be attacked during conflict; Those wounded, sick, and shipwrecked during war at sea should be protected.
World Red Cross Day: Theme
The theme for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 2024 is “I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward”. The theme encourages the joy of charity and service.
World Red Cross Day: Celebration
Many national and local chapters of the Red Cross commemorate World Red Cross Day by organizing special events and activities such as running blood donation drives, giving first aid training sessions, hosting fundraisers, public awareness campaigns, and honoring outstanding volunteers and humanitarian achievements of individuals and groups .
