World Red Cross Day 2023: Everything you may want to know

As you may be aware, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a worldwide humanitarian network that offers aid to individuals in need during emergencies, disasters, conflicts, and other critical situations and operates in almost every country across the globe. Its mission is to mitigate human suffering, safeguard human dignity, and advance peace, health and wellness.

Every year, on May 8, this day is celebrated as World Red Cross Day or World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. Why May 8? Because it commemorates Henry Dunant's birth anniversary. He was the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross, or simply ICRC.

Its origin and connection to Red Cross Movement

World Red Cross Day can be traced back to the establishment of the Red Cross movement, which was inspired by the efforts of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize. In 1859, Dunant witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers on the battlefield of Solferino, Italy, during the Second Italian War of Independence. This experience led him to write the book "A Memory of Solferino," which called for the creation of volunteer groups to assist the wounded during times of war.

In 1863, the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded was established, which later became known as the ICRC. It aimed to provide impartial and neutral humanitarian aid during armed conflicts.

During the 20th International Conference of the Red Cross in Tokyo, Japan, in 1933, World Red Cross Day was officially established with May 8 designated as the day to honour the birth of Henry Dunant and acknowledge the humanitarian work of the Red Cross movement. May 8 has been annually observed as World Red Cross Day since then.

World Red Cross Day 2023 Theme

The theme for this year is "Everything we do comes #fromtheheart." The aim is to honour the individuals in the communities, including the "person next door," who are often the first ones to assist those in need around them.

FAQs

1. Where was Henry Dunant from?
   Henry Dunant was from Geneva, Switzerland.
2. What was the theme of World Red Cross Day 2022?
   Last year’s theme was “#BeHumankind”.