May 8, 2008

“There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.”
                             --Woodrow T. Wilson

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is celebrated on May 8^th every year. On this day, the world teams up to celebrate the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the largest humanitarian movement in the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. There can be no better theme for the year other than 'Together for Humanity'-- a powerful and apt reflection of the ethos of this glorious and compassionate organization.

Red Cross and Crescent For Humanity

The day is in remembrance of this movement’s undying effort to alleviate human suffering of any kind, be it during natural disasters, diseases, or even war, with a motive to re-establish hope and dignity in human lives.

An organization where ‘discrimination’ is considered a dirty word, the Red Cross has managed to weave ‘sensitivity to human suffering’ into its moral fabric. It is almost as if the Red Cross is an omnipresent outfit. Even before the truth of an earth- shattering disaster sinks in, the Red Cross has kick started its network to uplift people in the throes of the disaster. What could be the abiding vision of this force

Red Cross Vision

The International Committee of the Red Cross, through its initiatives, positively impacts the life of about 250 million people. The organization seeks to:

1. Mitigate the impact of injury and death due to disasters of any kind.

2. Initiate efforts  to reduce deaths due to illnesses.

3. Cause a decline in the rate of public health emergencies. 

4. Empower the Red Cross, civil society and local communities to ensure speedy response to emergencies and vulnerable situations.

5. Always reinstate human dignity

Unity in Diversity

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an autonomous and unbiased organization, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, comprising an able- bodied network of 12000 or more staff positioned across 80 countries worldwide.

As a keeper of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC is allowed to initiate relief operations, to visit prisons, and lead humanitarian endeavors in times of armed conflicts. The organization also undertakes the process of uniting separated families.

In the face of increasing humanitarian challenges, how does the International Red Cross stick its head out to save the day for many millions of people?

Nearly 30% of the ICRC’s work is done with the assistance of 186 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies located worldwide that strive to alleviate human suffering during natural or man-made disasters.

Touted as one of the biggest networks in the world, The Red Cross Umbrella of societies consists of 97 million volunteers, many of who are women and youth. In addition, around 300,000 people are employed by the national societies.

These wonderfully tuned units breathe life and vigor into the initiatives of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, enabling a range of assistance- during war, natural calamities, and diseases. Further, the organization also initiates search activity to reunite lost or misplaced families during war and conflict.