International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The organized International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is a humanitarian movement with approximately 16 million volunteers, members, and staff worldwide. It was founded to protect human life and health, to ensure respect for all human beings, and to prevent and alleviate human suffering. Within it there are three distinct organisations that are legally independent from each other, but are united within the movement through common basic principles, objectives, symbols, statutes, and governing organisations.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, the symbols from which the movement derives its name, Geneva, 2005
The Red Cross, after the Battle of Gravelotte in 1870
Henry Dunant, author of A Memory of Solferino
Original document of the First Geneva Convention, 1864
Henry Dunant, also known as Henri Dunant, was a Swiss humanitarian, businessman, social activist, and co-founder of the Red Cross. His humanitarian efforts won him the first Nobel Peace Prize in 1901.
Dunant c. 1860s
Henry Dunant in 1855
Henry Dunant at Solferino
Original cover of A Memory of Solferino