World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day

The red cross emblem was adopted 150 years ago by the Geneva Conventions to protect medical personnel assisting the wounded on the battlefield. Soon after, it was to identify the humanitarian services of Red Cross societies around the world. Today, it is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It means “don’t shoot” because this person, vehicle, building or equipment is providing voluntary, neutral and impartial assistance to people in need — regardless of race, religion or citizenship status — because of disaster, health emergency and/or armed conflict. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a global humanitarian network of 80 million people, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. World Red Cross Day marks the birthday of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, born in Geneva in 1828, and recipient of the first Nobel Peace Prize.