World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is annually observed across the globe on 8th May to celebrate the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The theme of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023 is “Everything we do comes #fromtheheart”
Background:
i.The idea of World Red Cross Day originated during the 14th International Conference was held in London, the United Kingdom, in 1938.
ii.In 1946, The Board of Governors of the League of the Red Cross Societies (LORCS) proposed the celebration of World Red Cross Day and it was later adopted in 1948.
iii.The first International Red Cross Day was celebrated on 8th May 1948.
iv.The celebration was renamed as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day in 1984.
Significance of 8th May:
8th May marks the birth anniversary of Jean Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1901).
- He was born on 8th May 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland.
- The first Nobel Peace Prize was jointly received by Jean Henry Dunant and Frédéric Passy. Dunant was the first Swiss Nobel laureate.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
i.International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was founded as the League of the Red Cross Societies (LORCS) on 5th May 1919.
- The league changed its name to the IFRC in 1991.
ii.The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives, build community resilience, strengthen localization and promote dignity around the world.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
i.The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 97 million volunteers, members and staff worldwide.
ii.It is made up of three independent parts: The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC); and National Societies.
About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
President– Francesco Rocca
Members– 192 member National Societies
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
