International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with about 16 million volunteers, members, and staff around the world. It was created to help protect people’s lives and health, and to ease pain and hardship when disasters happen.

The movement works in many places, helping people during wars, natural disasters, and other difficult times. It gives aid, supports health services, and works to keep families safe and together.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has three main parts: the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and the many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies. Together, they help millions of people each year, showing kindness and support to those in need.

History

Foundation

Until the middle of the nineteenth century, there were no organized ways to help soldiers who were hurt in battles. Jean-Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman, saw the suffering after the Battle of Solferino in 1859, where many soldiers had no medical care. This led him to write a book called A Memory of Solferino, where he suggested creating organizations to help wounded soldiers and rules to protect medical workers.

In 1863, a group of men formed the "International Committee for Relief to the Wounded," which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). They wanted to help people during wars and other crises.

International conference

In 1863, an international conference was held in Geneva. Leaders from many countries met to talk about how to better help wounded soldiers. They agreed to create groups in each country to help, protect wounded soldiers, and use volunteers. They also chose a red cross symbol to show medical workers and supplies.

Geneva Convention, national societies, and ICRC

In 1864, the first Geneva Convention was made. This agreement set rules to protect wounded soldiers, medical workers, and hospitals during wars. Many countries signed this, and Red Cross groups began forming in several countries. The Turkish Red Crescent started in 1868 and became part of the movement.

World War I

When World War I began, the ICRC faced big challenges. They created an agency to help families stay in touch with their loved ones who were prisoners of war. They also worked to make sure the rules protecting prisoners and medical workers were followed. The ICRC sent many messages and helped exchange prisoners between sides.

World War II

During World War II, the ICRC kept working, but had difficulties, especially in places under Nazi control. They visited prisoner camps and tried to help civilians, though sometimes they could only do a little. After the war, new rules were added to the Geneva Conventions to better protect civilians during conflicts.

After World War II; 20th century

After World War II, the Geneva Conventions were updated to better protect civilians. The ICRC got observer status at the United Nations in 1990, which let them speak about important issues. In the 1990s, the ICRC faced dangerous situations as conflicts grew, and sadly, some of their workers were lost.

21st century

In recent years, the ICRC has worked in many conflicts, including in Afghanistan and Ukraine. They give medical help, support for prisoners, and help families affected by war. They keep working to protect people during conflicts and follow the rules that make sure aid can reach those who need it.

Activities

About 80 million people around the world help with the work of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. Most of them are part of local Red Cross or Red Crescent groups.

The Red Cross and Red Crescent has seven important rules that all its parts follow. These rules were found by looking at what has worked well over many years. They help make sure everyone is treated kindly and safely.

The biggest meeting of the Red Cross and Red Crescent happens every four years. Between these meetings, a group called the Standing Commission helps make sure everything is done correctly. This group includes leaders from the main parts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, as well as some people chosen by the big meeting. They meet about every six months to check on the work being done.

Main article: Standing Commission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

Main article: International Committee of the Red Cross

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) helps people during wars and conflicts. Its main goal is to support those who are hurt, missing, or in danger, making sure they are treated fairly and with respect. The ICRC checks how fighting groups follow rules to protect people during wars.

The ICRC has offices in over 100 countries and workers around the world. It is based in Geneva, Switzerland, and works independently, meaning it does not take sides in conflicts. The group is led by Swiss citizens who choose leaders to manage areas like helping people in need and following international laws.

The ICRC gets most of its money from governments, other countries, and groups that support its work. In 2023, it focused on places like Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Syria.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Main article: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies helps organize Red Cross and Red Crescent groups all over the world. It supports starting new groups where they are needed. When big problems happen, like natural disasters or health emergencies, the IFRC leads help missions. It works with local groups in affected countries and also gets help from other countries.

The IFRC has several main jobs: sharing kind and caring values, giving quick help during big emergencies, teaching local groups to be ready for disasters, supporting health projects, and helping with activities for young people. It has offices in many places around the world and makes decisions at meetings every two years. People support its work through payments from member groups and donations from many places.

National societies

National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies are in almost every country. They help people during emergencies like wars or natural disasters. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) decides which groups can officially join the Red Cross or Red Crescent Movement.

These societies follow strict rules. They must support everyone equally and use the Red Cross or Red Crescent symbol correctly. Today, there are 191 National Societies that are members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Some recent members include the Maldives Red Crescent Society, the Cyprus Red Cross Society, the South Sudan Red Cross Society, and the Tuvalu Red Cross Society.

Each society works within its country's laws and often gets special help from their government. They provide help in emergencies, restore family connections, and may offer services like blood donation or emergency medical help. The ICRC and the International Federation support these societies with resources and logistics.

History of the emblems

Further information: Emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

The Red Cross, Red Crescent, and Red Crystal symbols are part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Red Lion and Sun symbol is also official but is not used much anymore. Some countries asked for other symbols, but these were not accepted because they might cause confusion.

Red Cross

The Red Cross symbol was officially approved in Geneva in 1863.

The Red Cross flag is different from the Saint George's Cross shown on the flags of England, Barcelona, Georgia, Freiburg im Breisgau, and other places. To avoid this mix-up, the protected symbol is sometimes called the "Greek Red Cross". The red cross on the Saint George’s flag reaches the edges of the flag, while the Red Cross symbol does not.

In 1906, it was decided to say that the Red Cross flag came from switching the colors of the flag of Switzerland. This was to honor Swiss citizens who helped create rules to protect wounded soldiers and medical teams. However, no written proof of this origin was ever found.

The 1899 agreement at the Hague let hospital ships fly the Red Cross flag along with their country’s flag.

Red Crescent

The Red Crescent symbol was first used by volunteers during the armed conflict of 1876–1878 between the Ottoman Empire and the Russian Empire. It became an official symbol in 1929, and now 33 countries in the Muslim world recognize it. Like the Red Cross, the Red Crescent is said to come from switching the colors of the Ottoman Empire’s flag.

Red Crystal

The International Committee of the Red Cross worried that the Red Cross and Red Crescent might have meanings that didn’t fit some countries, like those with Hindu, Buddhist, or Shinto majorities in the Asia-Pacific region. So, in 1992, a leader suggested a new, more neutral symbol.

On December 8, 2005, a new symbol called the Red Crystal was created. This symbol has no religious, political, or country meanings, so any nation that didn’t feel comfortable with the Red Cross or Red Crescent could join the movement.

Red Lion and Sun

The Red Lion and Sun Society of Iran started in 1922 and joined the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement in 1923. The symbol was first shown in Geneva in 1864, as a different symbol from the ones used by Iran’s neighbors, the Ottoman and Russian empires.

Because of its link to Iran’s old government, Iran switched to the Red Crescent in 1980. Even though the Red Lion and Sun is not used much anymore, Iran could choose to use it again if it wanted. The Geneva Agreements still recognize it as an official symbol.

Unrecognized emblems

Red Star of David

For over 50 years, Israel asked for a red Star of David to be recognized, saying that since Christian and Muslim symbols were accepted, a Jewish symbol should be too. This symbol is used by Magen David Adom, but it is not recognized by the Geneva Agreements as a protected symbol. Outside Israel, Magen David Adom uses the Red Crystal symbol to stay safe during international work. Sometimes, it puts the Red Star of David inside the Red Crystal, or just uses the Red Crystal.

Red Swastika

In 1922, a Red Swastika Society started in China during a time of many small rulers. The swastika is a symbol used in India, East Asia, and Southeast Asia for Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Even though this group has helped with relief work, it cannot be recognized by the International Committee because it is tied to one religion.

Hostage crisis allegations

In 1999, a TV show and a human rights group made a claim about the Red Cross. They said the Red Cross gave a white helicopter to the Indonesian military in 1996. This was during a situation where 26 workers from the World Wildlife Fund were held by a group called the Free Papua Movement.

The Red Cross said they would look into these claims. A person from outside the Red Cross checked what happened. He found no proof that Red Cross workers were there. He thought the helicopter used by the military might have looked like a Red Cross helicopter, but it was not really one. He also said the Red Cross should have checked these claims faster.