Bhubaneswar: The World Red Cross is celebrated every year on May 8 as a remembrance of the birth anniversary of the founder of the Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Henry Durant as known as Henri Durant. He was born on 8 May 1828 in Geneva, Switzerland.
A bird’s eye view of the founder of the Red Cross:
Jean-Henri Durant was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize which he shared with Frederic Passy. He was instrumental in raising a movement for the formation of an international set of laws governing the treatment and nourishment of injured soldiers and prisoners of war.
As a relief activist, Henry was deeply devastated after witnessing fatalities caused during the Battle of Solferino in 1859, fought between French-Piedmontese and Austrian armies in the northern part of Italy. The visuals of this war made Durant write his book “Memory of Solferino” published in 1862.
The First Geneva Convention which laid out the fundamentals of humanitarian consideration for war wounded soldiers back on August 22, 1864, was deeply influenced by Durant’s activities through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) which he founded along with Swiss lawyer Gustav Moynier.
Red Cross Day & its significance:
Post World War II, the idea of celebrating; “World Red Cross Day” annually was adopted on 8 May 1948, on the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant.
In 1984, the day was formally named “World Red Cross And Red Crescent Day”.
The primary objective behind the observation of Red Cross Day is to encourage and inspire people to engage themselves in humanitarian activities. The International Committee of The Red Cross even supports other charitable organisations to work for the betterment of victims of war, and natural disasters such as cyclones, floods, tsunamis and other similar situations.
Regularly the organisation also promotes blood donation drives in collaboration with other institutions working in the health care sector as well as on its own.
The Red Cross Society works on seven fundamental principles, which are Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality.
The organization empowers youths to participate in voluntary activities and help uplift people who are suffering due to war crimes, financial crises and health-related issues.
The theme for the celebration of “World Red Cross Day and World Red Crescent Day 2024” is “I give with joy, and the joy I give is a reward.”
Conclusion:
The celebration of World Red Cross Day serves as a reminder of human values, compassion, and empathy people have towards each other. It also acts as a medium to promote values of selfless service, mutual respect and universal equality.
