World Red Cross Day: All That You Need to Know

World Red Cross Day: All That You Need to Know

World Red Cross Day is also known as Red Crescent Day. It is an annual celebration of their principles. The day is celebrated by the Red Cross society across all the countries.

It works for the welfare of people. World Red Cross Society provides for food shortages, natural disasters, wars as well as disease of an epidemic.

About

• World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 every year. This date marks the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, who is the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). He is also the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was born on 8 May 1828.

Purpose

• The main aim of the Red Cross Society is basically to inspire, initiate and encourage all kinds of humanitarian activities under all times and circumstances.
• Programmes conducted by the Red Cross Society can be broadly categorised into four parts including the promotion of humanitarian principles and values; disaster response; disaster preparedness; and health and care.

Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• Humanity: To prevent and eradicate miseries for every human wherever it exists. To protect life, ensure every human being’s health and respect for them. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, and cooperation among people.
• Impartiality: It does no discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. Therefore, helps the people on the basis of their needs.
• Neutrality: Its aim is to keep everyone neutral in providing help and does not discriminate on the basis of any political, racial, religious, ideological alterations.
• Independence: The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the movement. The movement is independent.
• Voluntary Service: It is a voluntary movement started for providing relief. It is not engendered for gain.
• Unity: There will exist only one Red Cross and Red Crescent in one country. The organisation is open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.
• Universality: The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement shares equal status, equal liabilities and duties in helping each other worldwide.

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