World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated annually on May 8th to honor the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was the first person to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a worldwide humanitarian network that operates in almost every country across the globe. The network offers aid and support to people in need during various emergencies, conflicts, disasters, and other crises. The movement strives to alleviate human suffering, safeguard human dignity, and promote health, peace, and overall well-being.
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The theme of World Red Cross Day for 2023 is “Everything we do comes from the heart.” The objective is to recognize and pay tribute to the people in our communities who are always ready to provide assistance to those in need, often without receiving any acknowledgment or appreciation. The focus is on honoring those individuals who selflessly extend a helping hand to those in distress, demonstrating the true spirit of compassion and kindness that lies at the heart of the Red Cross movement.
The primary objective of World Red Cross Day is to recognize and celebrate the humanitarian work accomplished by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at an international level. It provides an excellent opportunity to educate people about the organization’s principles, mission, and undertakings, and to appreciate the dedication and bravery of its volunteers and employees. World Red Cross Day also emphasizes the significance of humanity, empathy, and unity during times of crisis. It highlights the critical role played by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in offering humanitarian aid and advancing humanitarian values throughout the world.
World Red Cross Day has its origins in the efforts of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. The history of World Red Cross Day can be traced back to the establishment of the Red Cross movement itself.
In 1859, Henry Dunant witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers on the battlefield of Solferino, Italy, during the Second Italian War of Independence. Shocked by the lack of medical care and support, he organized local civilians to provide assistance to the wounded, regardless of their nationality.
World Red Cross Day has its roots in World War I, where the notion of an annual commemoration to honour those who contributed to global peace was initially suggested. The Tokyo conference in 1936 approved the proposal named the “Red Cross Truce,” but the League of Red Cross Societies (LRCS) postponed it until after World War II in 1946. The first-ever Red Cross Day was eventually observed on May 8, 1948.
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