International Committee of the Red Cross

Henry Dunant's birthday, 8 May, is commemorated as World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This day honors his contribution to the establishment of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Red Cross was founded by Henry Dunant after he helped wounded soldiers at the battle of Solferino in 1859. He advocated for a treaty to care for wounded soldiers and the creation of national societies to assist military medical services.

In 1862, Henry Dunant releases the book 'A Memory of Solferino', which serves as a catalyst for the creation of the first Geneva Convention in 1864 and the formation of relief societies globally.

The International Committee of the Red Cross is established in Geneva, Switzerland.

Inspired by Henry Dunant, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is established in Geneva. The Swiss flag in reverse, a red cross on a white background, is chosen as its emblem.

The constituent Conference is held in Geneva with the aim of improving medical services on the battlefield and establishing national societies to assist the sick and wounded.

The first National Society is established in the Kingdom of Württemburg, followed by the formation of National Societies in various states of Germany. These organizations would later merge to form the German Red Cross.

The Belgian Red Cross is founded on February 4th.

The Geneva Convention of 1864 was formulated during an international diplomatic meeting held in Geneva as a result of the 1863 Conference. It aimed to ameliorate the condition of the wounded and sick in armed forces by guaranteeing neutrality for medical personnel and adopting the red cross on a field of white as the identifying emblem.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded in 1869, marking the beginning of 150 years of humanitarian action.

The Thai Red Cross Society is established on April 26, 1893.

The Venezuelan Red Cross is established on January 30, 1895.

The Canadian Red Cross is established on July 22, 1896.

The Canadian Red Cross Society is established as part of the British Red Cross on October 10, 1896. It becomes independent since 19 May 1909.

The Convention (IV) respecting the Laws and Customs of War on Land was established in The Hague on October 18, 1907.

In response to the outbreak of World War I, the ICRC set up its International Prisoners-of-War Agency to assist POWs. The agency facilitated the transfer of letters, parcels, and monetary donations, as well as the exchange and release of prisoners between warring parties.

On June 17, 1917, the Red Cross initiated its first War Fund drive, exceeding the target of raising $100 million within a week to support wartime efforts.

On July 2, 1918, Frances Reed Elliott became the first African-American to enroll in the Red Cross Nursing Service, marking a significant step towards diversity and inclusion in healthcare.

In January 27, 1919, the Red Cross reported that 204 of its nurses had died while fighting against the Spanish influenza pandemic globally. A total of 15,000 women, including regularly enrolled nurses, were recruited by the Red Cross to combat this deadly outbreak.

The Red Cross was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on 4 April 1919 for its humanitarian efforts.

On May 5, 1919, the League of Red Cross Societies, which is now known as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, was established in Paris, France.

The IFRC is established in Paris following World War I.

In September 1, 1923, the Red Cross provided assistance to thousands of earthquake and fire victims in Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan.

On April 21, 1927, a major levee along the Mississippi River broke after heavy rainfall, causing a flood that submerged 27,000 square miles. The Red Cross dedicated months to helping the victims of this disaster.

A comprehensive report by the International Committee of the Red Cross detailing its humanitarian activities and efforts during the Second World War from September 1939 to June 1947.

The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and their Additional Protocols were established during a Diplomatic Conference held in Geneva from April 21 to August 12, 1949. These conventions aimed to revise and update previous agreements regarding the treatment of prisoners of war and the protection of civilian persons in times of war.

On October 16, 1990, the UN General Assembly granted the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) observer status for its assembly sessions and sub-committee meetings, marking the first time a private organization received such recognition. The resolution was proposed by 138 member states and introduced by the Italian ambassador, in tribute to the ICRC's origins in the Battle of Solferino.

An agreement signed on 19 March 1993 with the Swiss government affirmed the ICRC's long-standing policy of full independence, ensuring protection of its property, legal immunity for members and staff, and other privileges.

On December 17, 1996, Nancy Malloy and five other International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegates were shot at point-blank range while sleeping in an ICRC field hospital in the Chechen city of Nowije Atagi near Grozny. The perpetrators of the attack have never been apprehended.

On September 11, 2001, the Red Cross provided assistance in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in New York, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

On January 27, 2002, Wafa Idris, a Palestinian Red Crescent volunteer paramedic, carried out a suicide bombing in Jerusalem, Israel. Disguised in a Red Crescent uniform, she detonated a bomb on Jaffa Street, killing herself and an elderly man, and injuring over 100 others.

On March 27, 2003, Ricardo Munguia, an ICRC water engineer from El Salvador, was shot and killed in Afghanistan by unknown armed men while travelling with local colleagues. His tragic death led the ICRC to temporarily halt its operations across Afghanistan.

Vatche Arslanian, a logistics coordinator for the ICRC mission in Iraq, was killed on April 8, 2003, during crossfire in Baghdad. He lost his life while traveling with members of the Iraqi Red Crescent, highlighting the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones.

On 27 January 2005, the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the ICRC officially acknowledged its failure during the Holocaust, expressing regrets for not decisively aiding the victims of Nazi persecution and recognizing the courageous acts of individual ICRC delegates at the time.

The Red Crystal, previously known as the Red Lozenge or Red Diamond, was introduced as an additional neutral protection symbol during a diplomatic conference organized by the Swiss government on December 5–6, 2005. The protocol to adopt the Red Crystal was successfully achieved after a vote with a two-thirds majority.

The Red Cross raised $7.6 million to provide assistance to individuals in West African nations impacted by the Ebola outbreak, aiding in the containment and management of the crisis.

In September 2017, thousands of Red Cross disaster workers provided assistance to those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Red Cross also prepared for Hurricane Maria's impact on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

By November 2018, the Red Cross provided relief and comfort to numerous individuals impacted by severe wildfires in both northern and southern California, offering assistance in the aftermath of the disasters.

The International Red Cross was officially founded on April 4, 2019.

An article reflects on the 150-year journey of providing humanitarian aid by the Red Cross, shedding light on both positive and negative aspects.

The Seville Agreement aimed to enhance collaboration between the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations during emergency situations.