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May 8 is the World Red Cross Day
Why do we celebrate May 8?
May 8, 2001, is the 172nd anniversary of the birth of Swiss citizen Henry Dunant who is credited with founding the International Red Cross Movement in 1863 to help alleviate the suffering of victims of armed conflict. After witnessing the suffering of the Battle of Solferino in 1859, with its 40,000 casualties, Henry Dunant wrote a best-selling memoir, "A Memory of Solferino." In it he called for the humane treatment of the wounded and sick on the battlefield and the establishment of a voluntary relief corps to relieve their suffering. Prior to that, wounded were typically left to die on the battlefield or be executed on the spot by the victorious army. Prisoners, much less the humane treatment of prisoners, were exceptionally rare. As a response to this inhumane treatment, the International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in Geneva, Switzerland in 1863. In the following year, the First Geneva Convention (www.redcross.org/services/intl/geneva.html) came into existence to protect the wounded and sick on the battlefield. This Convention specifically provided that all those who were "hors de combat" (out of the battle) receive adequate care regardless of their affiliation.
What we have achieved since then.
The Red Cross is everywhere. With societies in 176 countries, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is prepared to help the most vulnerable whenever and wherever help is needed to save lives. National societies in 176 countries make up the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (www.ifrc.org) The Magen David Adom is the humanitarian society or red cross equivalent in Israel. Each society operates in accordance with the seven Fundamental Principles (www.redcross.org/ok/okc/principl.htm) and to save lives and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable in their communities. The International Committee of the Red Cross is mandated to provide protection and assistance during times of armed conflict. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is a membership body for the national societies that provides coordination and support during times of natural disaster.
The American Red Cross
Every hour of the day, with the generous support of the American people, the American Red Cross is saving lives in nearly 40 countries around the world. We provide basic needs such as clean water and primary health care to helping our Red Cross partners confront and overcome chronic emergencies in addition to meeting immediate needs.
- As part of a global network of 176 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, the American Red Cross works to relieve human suffering and empower people with the skills they need to help themselves. Guided by the seven Fundamental Principles of the international Red Cross Movement, the American Red Cross strives to restore dignity and hope to the most vulnerable people around the world while promoting self-sufficiency. By sharing its expertise and resources, the American Red Cross is committed to strengthening the capacities of other national societies, supporting them to better serve their local communities. Working with more than 30 national societies in Africa, the Balkans, the Caribbean, the Caucasus, Central America and Russia, the American Red Cross is helping to build and sustain strong Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations to deliver quality community services.
- The Caribbean as a region has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world. To prevent the further spread of HIV infection in the Caribbean, the Jamaican Red Cross and the American Red Cross have worked together to develop a peer education program called: "Together We Can" (www.redcross.org/news/in/caribbean/010319together.html). Targeting teens and young adults, one of the highest risk groups for infection, the program teaches the facts about AIDS, acceptance of people living with the disease and builds the self-esteem of young people helping them make responsible life decisions.
- To combat high infant mortality rates in Uganda (86 per 1000 births), the American Red Cross, the Ugandan Red Cross in cooperation with Uganda's Ministry of Health and UNICEF recently launched a two-year immunization and education program (www.redcross.org/world/africa/ugan.html). Red Cross volunteers travel to the villages and teach mothers the benefits of vaccinations. Thanks to their dedication and continued efforts, nearly 272,000 children were vaccinated against measles in 2000.
- Worldwide, the number of children who die each day due to easily prevented or treated conditions is the same as if a jumbo jetliner crashed every 23 minutes. In 1999, the American Red Cross, along with a consortium of international organizations, pledged to save the lives of 100,000 children under age 5 in the Americas by the end of the year 2002. This will be done by preventing the five most common causes of childhood death, which are diarrhea, acute respiratory infection, measles, malaria and malnutrition. Progress toward that goal has already been made through programs with our international partners in the Caribbean and Central America.
What you can do
To extend a helping hand to our international neighbors, we rely on caring members of communities in the United States to reach out. Local volunteers and financial contributors empower the American Red Cross to help people in other countries.
- The best way to help the victims of international disasters and crises, is by making a financial contribution to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling 1 (800) HELP NOW or 1 (800) 257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
- The American Red Cross is a leader within the International Red Cross Movement and can apply its resources through the world's largest humanitarian network to deliver aid most effectively. For instance, in India, the Red Cross compiled its relief kits working with local Red Cross volunteers, using financial contributions from Americans who care, rather than importing supplies. This ensured that relief supplies were well received by people in their time of need.
- Send an e-card! In celebration to its rich history and to educate people worldwide about the world's foremost humanitarian organization the American Red Cross is launching an E-Card Campaign in its web site www.redcross.org on May 8. Send a card to your friends and colleges and celebrate this day with us.
- The American Red Cross is not a government agency. It starts in your community. Thanks to the generous support of Americans, Red Cross international aid is free to those who need it -- whether it's during the tumult of an international disaster or conflict, or long after one has passed.
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