The Red Cross
is an International Organization meant for humanitarian services. Its
Headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland with many affiliated National Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies. It is a non-religious, non-political
and non-sectarian International body. Regardless of either frontiers or
Race, the Red Cross remains a voluntary organization and also an
independent one having considerable welfare activities to its credit. It
is the biggest relief organization in the World with two hundred
million members and tens of thousands of employees. The Red Cross was
established in 1863, in Geneva. Though at the beginning it aimed at
taking care of the people affected by war, in due course, its area of
operation was extended to the prevention as well as the relief of human
suffering during natural havocs and at other times.
JEAN HENRY DUNANT,
known as the father of the RED CROSS, was born on May 8, 1828, in
Geneva, Switzerland. His father, a successful businessman and a citizen
of some prominence, was a man of means. His mother was a gentle and
pious woman. She more than anyone else, was responsible for her
first-born child’s early education. Her influence had much to do with
moulding his character. At a very early age he developed deep religious
convictions and high moral principles. He became a member of an
organization in Geneva known as the League of the Alms, whose purpose
was to bring spiritual and material comfort and aid to the poor, sick
and afflicted. He was also a regular visitor to the city prison, where
he laboured to help reform the transgressors of the law.
It
was while journeying on a business mission in Italy that Dunant chanced
to arrive in June 1859 at Castiglione della Pieve. It was the same day
on which the Battle of Solferino was being fought nearby. The town was
filled with causalities and the army medical services available at that
point proved to be inadequate. It was wholly natural for Dunant to try
to help relieve the pain and suffering of the wounded. By temperament,
tradition and training, he could do no less. To put an end to this
ghastly tragedy. Mr. Jean Henry Dunant with four citizens of Geneva i.e,
General Guillame Henry Dufour, Mr. Gustave Moynier, Dr. Louis Appia and
Dr. Theodore Maunoir founded the International Committee for the relief
of the wounded in 1863, which was later called International Committee
of Red Cross (ICRC). In October 1863, answering the Assembly in Geneva,
which decided on the creation of those societies to come to the aid of
the wounded, which Mr. Dunant so earnestly desired. The Red Cross was
founded. These associations of voluntary relief workers were later
called Red Cross Societies.
This experience
completely changed the course of his life. From that time onwards,
Dunant’s business activities and other interests became secondary as he
sought to find a way in which such suffering could somehow be prevented,
or at least ameliorated in future wars. Furthermore, his concept of an
International treaty among nations to assure more humane care of the
wounded aroused considerable interest.
These
were the humble beginnings of an organization whose growth and
potentials were not yet visualized by Dunant who struggled on with his
life aim of human care, giving up his own likelihood, thus for 20 years
he lived precariously on the pittance friends could give him and a small
allowance from members of his family.
In
1901, the Nobel Committee awarded him its first peace prize shared
jointly with Frenchmen Frederic Passy. From Geneva, his old home, came
this message from the International Committee of the Red Cross.
This
great man, passed away peacefully on 30.10.1910 Red Cross Societies in
times of peace pursue a variety of activities devoted to the health,
safety and well-being of the people of the world, secure in the
knowledge that some at least of the sick and the suffering will be given
succour at time of need
The World-wide
organization of the Red Cross and the way in which Governments and the
Red Cross and do co-operate for the benefit of suffering humanity attest
to the greatness of the idea and the ideals conceived by Henry Dunant a
century ago. Few men in history have had a nobler or more enduring
monument by which to be remembered than Dunant richly deserved by him.