World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is annually observed across the globe on 8th May to honour and thank the volunteers and staff of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
- The day also celebrates the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
The theme of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2024 is “Keeping Humanity Alive”.
Note: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s staff and volunteers embody neutrality, resilience, and compassion, delivering aid even in the most remote and challenging contexts.
Background:
i.The idea for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day came about after the First World War.
ii.During the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross held in London, England, in 1938, the delegates decided to observe 8th May of every year as the International Red Cross Day.
iii.In 1946, the Board of Governors of the League of Red Cross Societies (LORCS) proposed uniformly celebrating an international Red Cross Day by all National Societies.
iv.The 1st ‘International Red Cross Day,’ was celebrated on May 8, 1948.
v.The official title of the day changed over time and became known as ‘World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day’ in 1984.
Why 8th May?
8th May marks the birth anniversary of Jean Henry Dunant (1828 – 1910), founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the 1st Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
- The 1st Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. The Peace Prize for 1901 was shared between the Frenchman Frédéric Passy and Jean Henry Dunant of Switzerland.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
i.The IFRC was founded in 1919 in Paris (France) as the League of Red Cross Societies (LORCS).
- It was the brainchild of Henry Davison, the president of the American Red Cross War Committee.
ii.In 1983, it became the League of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and changed its name to the IFRC, in 1991.
iii.IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 192 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
- Its secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in over 191 countries, bringing together more than 16 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement:
i.The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is made up of the:
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); 192 National Societies, and the IFRC.
ii.It is a vast humanitarian network comprising over 90 million individuals dedicated to assisting those confronted with disaster, conflict, and various health and social challenges.
About the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC):
President– Kate Forbes
Headquarters– Geneva, Switzerland
