The Birth of an Idea
For millions of people all over the world, Red Cross is a symbol of the idea for more humane relationships among people, and for the protection of human dignity under any circumstances.
The beginning was set by the Swiss humanist Henry Dunant who
found himself at the battlefield of Solferino, Northern Italy, in 1859. The terror he felt at the lack of any care for the wounded soldiers, abandoned and in agony, haunted him for a long time afterwards. The book titled "A Memory of Solferino" published in 1862 by Henry Dunant turned into that public catalyst which changed millions of human lives. The idea of formation of volunteer civilian organizations in each country to render aid to the wounded in wartime, no matter on whose side they were fighting, as well as the formulation of a wide international principle of a founding charter to serve as a basis of these societies, met with a wide response. In 1863 five Swiss citizens founded an International Committee for Relief to the Wounded which later took the name of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The same year in October, representatives of 16 countries met at an international conference in Geneva where they decided to establish in each country national committees to render assistance to the wounded. These committees were to take the emblem which was to distinguish and protect those rendering assistance. That was the beginning of the Red-Cross institution.
Today the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement numbers over 250 million members in over 160 countries, united by one ideal and the same principles and rules of action.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises:
- the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) - its founder,
- the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies;
- the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Choose Another Page:
Bulgarian Red Cross Home Page