Jean Henry Dunant, the son of a Swiss Banker, was travelling near Solferino in Northern Italy. On June 24th, 1859, Dunant witnessed the horror of war as thousands of wounded victims of a battle fought by the Austrian, French, and Italian armies lay on the field. These victims were left to die by their fellow soldiers. With the help of the citizens of a nearby village, Dunant provided as much care and relief as possible to these victims.

Based on the experience at Solferino, Dunant wrote a book entitled "A Memory of Solferino" and had it published in 1862. His book recommended that a voluntary relief society be set up to aid the wounded during times of war and that the society would operate under an international agreement. This agreement, called a Convention, would protect the wounded, the personnel who cared for the wounded, and the hospitals in which they were treated.

In 1863, four citizens of Geneva joined Henry Dunant in establishing a Committee to implement the recommendations. Sixteen nations met later in 1863 to adopt ten resolutions and three recommendations including: (1) the formations of a relief committee in each country to assist army medical services in war time; (2) the neutralisation of ambulances, military hospitals, and medical personnel from hostile actions; and (3) adoption of a uniform and distinctive emblem, white arm band with a red cross (the reverse of the Swiss flag) were adopted. The Committee was later known as the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC).

The ICRC is a non-political and independent humanitarian institution, whose role is defined in international humanitarian law. It acts as a neutral intermediary during international and internal conflicts, providing protection for civilians, prisoners of war and the war wounded.

In 1864, 55 nations ratified the committee convention, which is now known as The First Geneva Convention. In 1919, the League of Red Cross Societies was formed to maintain in peace time the spirit of devoted services delivered by the national societies. The League of Red Cross Societies is now known as the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and has about 172 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies throughout the world.

The Gambia Red Cross Society started as a Branch of the British Red Cross. On the 1st October 1966, it became an independent National Society.

The Government of the Republic of The Gambia ratified and acceded to the Geneva Conventions in 1965.

On November 10th, 1974, The National Society was recognised as the 122nd member of the International Red Cross Crescent Movement and admitted to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on October 29th, 1975.

The national Headquarters is situated about 8 kms from Banjul and adjacent to the Banjul/Serrekunda highway in Kanifing. It was officially opened in 1974.

Ever since the inception of the National Society, it had completely depended on foreign aid from sister National Societies, Local, and International Organisations for its operational core costs and humanitarian services. With its efforts towards financial autonomy, the National Society embarks on local income generating activities, e.g. airport and hotel collections, chair rental, membership contributions, a new and permanent fund-raising venture: Multi-Purpose Building Project.

1. BANJUL: 22nd July Square, Banjul

2. KOMBO ST. MARY DIVISION: Bundung

3. WESTERN DIVISION: Brikama

4. NORTH BANK DIVISION: Essau

5. LOWER RIVER DIVISION: Soma

6. CENTRAL RIVER DIVISION: Bansang

7. UPPER RIVER DIVISION: Basse

(1996 - 1999)

President: MR. OUSMAN A. NDOW

Vice President: ALHAGIE MUSA COKER

Treasurer: MR. KAKAI SANYANG

Secretary General: MR. MOMODOU LAMIN FYE

Branch Chairpersons: ALL ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS

Commission Chairpersons: CHAIRPERSON ALL COMMISSION'S

ELECTED AT A GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Many Red Cross Services do not require formal training, just compassion and understanding, e.g. visiting lonely patients at home or in hospital, helping the disabled, assistance to refugees etc..

An equally vital but very different way of helping is to publicize the work of the Red Cross or to assist in organising fundraising activities. The Red Cross depends on the generosity and goodwill of the public.

If you enjoy working with children and young people, you may be interested in becoming a member/ leader of a Red Cross group.

The Red Cross campaigns for blood donations and the prevention and control of the deadly disease AIDS. Your support in this campaign is of importance.

Join and support the voluntary Red Cross links in your school or locality.

The Gambia Red Cross Society is mainly comprised of volunteers. In order to carry out successful humanitarian activities, the National Society highly relies on the support and generosity of volunteers and collaborators.

The Red Cross is the biggest humanitarian movement of the world, with more than 250 million supporters, and so offers the opportunity to serve humanity anywhere without any form of discrimination.

Membership gives the right and honour to wear the proud Red Cross badge and the brilliant Red Cross Uniform. It also gives the opportunity to take part in humanitarian activities during national and international events.

The Red Cross gives training in first aid, leadership skills, disaster relief operations and other meaningful skills relative to health and community work. It is a great opportunity to serve your country.

Try new and different tasks, gain valuable work experience, make new friends, and support an internationally recognised Organisation.

(Do you know?---)

That it is prohibited to use the Red Cross Emblem without special permission? The Red Cross Emblem does not mean a hospital, clinic, medical centre, first aid box, or a pharmacy.

The Red Cross Emblem was created with the well-defined aim: to ensure protection for the wounded, sick, shipwrecked, and prisoners in time of war, and personnel caring for them.

The use of the Emblem is two-fold:

The ICRC

The Federation

National Red Cross and

Red Crescent Societies

Seven fundamental principles were adopted at the 20th international Conference of the Red Cross held in Vienna, Austria in October 1965.

The International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battle field, 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 ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst all peoples.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent movement makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases.

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

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

It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

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

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is world-wide.

Membership to The Gambia Red Cross Society is open to anyone and everyone living in the Gambia or abroad. There are active, subscribing, and honorary members. Click here to download a pdf format (Adobe Acrobat Reader) Membership Form. Click here to get a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Active Members agree to give services.

Subscribing Membership/Friend of GRCS pay the annual subscription.

Honorary Membership marks exceptional services to the society.

Youth Membership is for young people:

Junior - primary school pupils.

Cadet - Junior and Senior Secondary School students.

Detachment/Senior Members is for institutions and individuals out of school (i.e. teachers, doctors, nurses, social workers, self employed, civil servants, soldiers, security officers, etc.)