World Red Cross Day - Celebrating Strength and Reach

Highlights:

The World Red Cross Day observed on the 8^th May of every year commemorates the birth anniversary of its founder Henry Dunant
This year focuses on highlighting the diversity of work and universality of approach
It is time to show your love for Red Cross and Red Crescent this year

The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day are celebrated on 8th May of every year commemorating the birth anniversary of its founder Henry Dunant who was the also the first recipient of Nobel Peace Prize. This year the celebration is about the strength, global reach and the contribution of staff and volunteers of Red Cross.

By highlighting its diversity in work and universality of approach the Red Cross also aims to expand the public's understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Cross is hoping to use the power of people's emotion felt towards the Movement to celebrate the impact and commitment of its staff and volunteers.

Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a large humanitarian network of around 80 million people worldwide helping those affected by a disaster, conflict, health and social issues. It is comprised of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. These components are united by the seven principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

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World Red Cross Day 2015
World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of the Red Cross founder, Henry Dunant who was a Swiss businessman.

‘World Red Cross Day is observed on 8th May every year. This year (2019), it celebrates the strength, global reach and the contribution of staff and volunteers of Red Cross.’
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Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality are the seven fundamental principles that provide a framework for the Movement and define its approach while helping communities.

Adherence to these principles can help the Movement safeguard its humanitarian nature and helps it achieve consistency in the wide range of activities it is involved in across the globe. The primary objectives of the Movement are:

To alleviate human suffering
To protect people's lives and improve health and
To protect human dignity during emergencies and conflicts

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The Red Cross Society was established in 1863 by Henry Dunant after he witnessed the aftermath of war and called upon people to help the victims. Following this, a five-member committee including Dunant was formed by the Geneva Society for Public Welfare in 1863 which came to be known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Since then, having worked through the two world wars, ICRC has continued urging governments to strengthen international humanitarian law.

World Red Cross Day : ‘Less Known Red Cross Stories’
The World Red Cross Day is to be observed on 8 May. The 2017 theme is 'Less Known Red Cross Stories'.

With around 16,000 employees and centers in almost 80 countries, ICRC helps people affected by conflicts, violence, natural disasters, and crises and also promotes laws protecting war victims. An impartial, independent and neutral organization, the ICRC's mandate is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949. Voluntary donations from governments and the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies fund the activities of ICRC.

Activities of the ICRC are concentrated in the following domains:

Addressing sexual violence
Building respect for the law
Cooperating with national societies
Economic security
Enabling people with disabilities & physical rehabilitation
Forensic science
Health
Helping detainees
Humanitarian diplomacy
Migrants, refugees, asylum seekers
Mine action
Restoring family links
Water and habitat
Working with the corporate sector

Their focus is on helping civilians, women, children, migrants, refugees, detainees, asylum seekers and people with disability among others.

Red Cross Day Celebrations 2019

This year the Red Cross hopes to continue to position the local and global reach and relevance of the Movement and also its capacity to help the communities that are most difficult to reach, leaving no one behind. It also aims to identify and profile the local actors who are capable and have community acceptance and accountability.

The celebrations this year are around the theme 'Love.' The Red Cross is using a simple call to action: 'What do you #love about Red Cross and Red Crescent?' It is asking the public and its volunteers to share their stories through short videos posted on social media platforms, telling why they '#Love Red Cross and Red Crescent.'#RedCrossDay #RedCrescentDayare the hashtags to be used on social media. Social media kits including posters, logos and templates have been designed.

This year also marks the centenary year of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) which was named the League of Red Cross Societies when it was founded in the year 1919.

The Red Cross deserves all the love, encouragement and support to continue the selfless and unconditional work it has been doing and acknowledgment for their efforts this time of the year.

References :

International Committee of the Red Cross - (https://www.icrc.org/en)
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2019 - (https://media.ifrc.org/ifrc/world-red-cross-red-crescent-day-2019/)

Source: Medindia

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