The Red Cross Society is an international organisation that was founded by Jean Henri Dunant. It is an organisation that is respected by millions of people for its services to mankind. Its main aim is to care for all sufferers whether in war or peace.

Red Cross

The idea of an organisation like the Red Cross, was born five years before the founding of the Red Cross, in the mind of a young Swiss banker, Jean Henri Dunant. In June 1859, he happened to be travelling in Northern Italy where the French, Italian and Austrian armies were fighting in the battle which later became known as the Battle of Solferino. This battle was fought on 24th June 1859, and Dunant witnessed this terrible war which rages on for 15 hours. At that time, Dunant happened to be travelling near Solferino in the nearby town of Castiglione. The casualities on both sides were enormous. About forty thousand men were dead or dying on the battlefield. The next day, the French tended to their wounded from early in the morning till late at night. But it was obvious that their medical service was not enough to cope with the large number of wounded.

Dunant, seeing this, organised a group of women and girls from the town and also obtained the services of some travellers who happened to be travelling by. With their help, he tended to the wounded soldiers. However, they were Italians and the wounded were foreigners whom they feared. But Dunant kept repeating "Tutti fratelli, they are all brothers", and the poor villagers cared for them with gentleness, patience and affection. Dunant's kindness made him famous as the Samaritan of Solferino. But, he knew that despite his efforts, thousands of men who could have survived if they had been cared for earlier, died. The horror of the sights which he had witnessed, made a lasting impression in his mind.

He later published a book, "Un Souvenir De Solferino" (In Memory of Solferino), on 8 November 1862. There were 2 proposals in the book, to have army medical services in times of war, and to regard the wounded and all those attending to them as neutral parties, even on the battlefield. It ended with a plea, "Would it not be possible tofound and organise in all civilized countries permanant societies of volunteers who in time of war could give help to the wounded".

This book succeeded in capturing the interest of so many important people that in 1863, his idea was discussed by a welfare society in Geneva. Four members of this society were chosen to help in his effort to persuade governments to recognise and support voluntary societies. These four members were, a lawyer Gustave Moynier as chairman of the commitee, a former commander-in-chief of the Swiss army, General Guillaume Henri Dufour, and two doctors Dr Louis Appia and Dr Theodore Maunoir. Jean Henri Dunant was the secretary of this committee.

The Committee of Five as they were generally called set to work to examine Dunant's idea. Their aim was to create an international organisation that would link all national societies together. Thus they suggested that the Swiss government set up an international relief organisation, the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, which was later known as the International Committee of the Red Cross. The International Red Cross Motto was "Inter Arma Caritas" which means "Charity in the Clashes of Arms". The committee invited representatives from 16 coutries to meet in Geneva in October 1863, and adopted 10 resolutions that made up the founding charter of Red Cross.

Jean Henri Dunant

The founder of the Red Cross was Jean Henri Dunant, and he was also a great philanthropist. He devoted his labour and entire fortune to charity.

He was born in Geneva on 8th May 1828. In 1855, he founded the World Alliance Young Men's Christian Association (WAYMCA). He witnessed the Battle of Solferino on 24 June 1859, and the horror of the war had a lasting impression on him. On 8 November 1862, he published a book "Un Souvenir de Solferino" (In Memory of Solferino), which arroused the interest of many people and which led to the Geneva Convention and the formaton of the Red Cross. Jean Henri Dunant also wrote a book condemning the slave system of Mohammedan countries.

However, Dunant himself became bankrupt due to neglect of business. He resigned from the ICRC in 1868 to live in exile. For fifteen years, his whereabouts were not known. In 1890, he was found by a reporter to be living in an almshouse in a remote part of the country. In 1895, He was admitted to Heiden Hospital, and in 1901, he was awarded the fist Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Frederic Passey. He died on 30th October 1910, at the age of 82.

Emblems

The Committee felt that the concept of neutrality could be embodied by the signing of an international treaty and the adoption of an emblem to be used to identify medical installations and personnel. Thus the emblem of the Red Cross was used. The significance of the Red Cross Emblem is that it is universal, non-religious, non-political, non-ideological and distinct.

The name Red Cross is taken from its emblem consisting of a red cross on a white background. This is the reverse of the Swiss flag, and thus pays homage to Switzerland. The emblem ensures the protection of the wounded on the battlefield and those who are attending to them. Any abuse of this emblem instituted by the Geneva Convention of 1864 is not only a breach of the International Humanitarian Law, but also threatens the protection granted by the emblem.

Although most of these relief societies have a Red Cross as their emblem, there are other similar bodies in other places which use different emblems. In 1876, during the Ruso-Turkish War, the Ottoman Society for the Relief to the Wounded replaced the Red Cross with the Red Crescent. The Red Crescent has since been adopted by a number of countries in the Islamic world as having equal status with the Red Cross. The reason for their adoption of the Red Crescent is that Islamic countries regarded the Red Cross as a sign of Christianity and decided to change it to their holy sign. Three countries namely Pakistan, Turkey and Tunisia use the inverted Red Crescent.

In 1923, Iran adopted a third emblem - The Red Lion and Sun. It was revoked in 1980 because the ICRC thought it was unnecessary to have a third emblem.

Red Cross Basic Principles

Humanity - The Red Cross, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield, endeavours - in its international and national capacity - to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human beings. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all people.

Impartiality - It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours only to relieve suffering; giving priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

Neutrality - In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Red Cross may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

Independence - The Red Cross is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with Red Cross principles.

Voluntary Service - The Red Cross is a voluntary relief organisation not promted in any manner by desire for gain.

Unity - There can be only one Red Cross Society in any country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

Universality - The Red Cross is a world-wide institution in which all societies have equal statues and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other.

Red Cross Song

The Red Cross Youth Promise

I, as a Youth Member of the Singapore Red Cross Society, promise to serve my country, and to join with others all over the world to help the sick and the suffering.