Welcome to the History Section

The International Red Cross and Red

Crescent Movement is the world's largest
humanitarian network, with a presence and
activities in almost every country.

The Movement incorporates the Geneva-

based International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC) and the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies (the International Federation), as
well as National Societies in 186 countries.

With a vibrant and varied history, from its

birth in the aftermath of battle in 1859 and
the vision of founder Henry Dunant and
four other men, through two world wars and
up to today, the Movement is widely
acknowledged as an unstoppable force for
help and compassio
The movement defined

The red cross and red crescent on a white background are among the 20th century's most
enduring images. In war and peace, and in the midst of suffering and tragedy caused by
man-made or natural disasters, they are internationally-recognised symbols of help and
compassion.

An idea forged in the bloody aftermath of the Battle of Solferino in 1859 through the
vision of its founders has grown to become the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement.

"The Movement" is a term covering two international institutions with headquarters in

Geneva and national societies in 186 countries.

The two institutions are the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the International
Federation). The National Societies comprise most of the more than 97 million Red Cross
workers - the world's biggest volunteer force.

With the advent of more and more complex humanitarian emergencies, the work of both
institutions is required to handle certain crises. When this is the case, the work of both is
governed by an agreement signed in Spain in November of 1997, known as "the Seville
Agreement" -- it establishes one of the institutions, or a National Society, as the 'lead
agency' responsible for spearheading the Movement's work overall.
Notable people in the history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

From the Committee of Five, that became the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) in the 1860s, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been led by men
and women of vision and integrity. They brought to the Movement experience gained in
varied professional lives.

There have been 13 presidents of the ICRC starting with Henri Dufour in 1863-64. The
current president, Jakob Kellenberger took up the post at the beginning of this year.
Traditionally, the ICRC presisident is a Swiss national.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation),
founded in 1919 under the name "League of Red Cross Societies", has had 13 chairmen
since Henry Davidson, an American, in 1919-22. The Federation's current head is Juan
Manuel Suárez del Toro Rivero from Spain, elected in November 2001.

The Standing Commission, elected by the International Conference, comprises members

of National Societies and representatives of the ICRC and the Federation. A principal
function is to prepare for the International Conference and the Council of Delegates.

There have been 10 chairmen of the commission since Pierre Nolf, a Belgian, in 1928-34.
Great names in their ranks have included Sweden's Count Folke Bernadotte (1946-48)
and Britain's Countess of Limerick (1965-73). The current chairman is Princess Margriet
of the Netherlands, re-elected for a second term during the 27th International Conference.
A timeline of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Franco-Sardinian and Austrian troops clash in Battle of Solferino, near northern
Italian town of Castiglione della Pieve. Swiss businessman Henry Dunant, horrified
1859
by the slaughter, helps to care for the wounded of both sides. This battle leads,
ultimately, to formation of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
International Committee formed for relief of military wounded (members Henry
Dunant, Gustave Moynier, Louis Appia, Theodore Maunoir and Guillaume-Henri
1863
Dufour) . In 1876, committee becomes International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC).
International Geneva Conference. Adoption of the Red Cross on white background
(reverse of Swiss flag) as protective emblem and establishment of national
committees for the relief of military wounded.
Twelve states sign 10 articles forming the 1st Geneva Convention -- protection of
1864
international law both to wounded enemy soldiers and those caring for them.
First International Conference of the Red Cross, attended by nine governments, 16
National Committees and the International Committee. Subsequent conferences to
1867
turn of century held in Berlin (1869), Geneva (1884), Karlsruhe (1887), Rome
(1892) and Vienna (1897).
Hague Conventions

• Laws and customs of war on land (Convention No. II)

1899
• Adaptation to maritime warfare of the principles of the 1864 Geneva
Convention (Convention No. III)
Last Updated: 31 October 1999
The Geneva Conventions

To mark the anniversary, the Geneva-based International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) launched a People on War project, seeking to involve ordinary people with
experience of war and all those with an interest in humanitarian law, such as military and
legal authorities, community leaders, academics, journalists, aid workers and staff of
international organisations.

The campaign also attempts to make the general public more aware of the existing rules
and their importance in warfare.
Material from the Archives

To access the archives of the International Comitee of the Red Cross and the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, please go to the respective sites:

- ICRC http://www.icrc.org. The Archives of the ICRC (up until 1950) can be directly
contacted by E-Mail: archives.gva@icrc.org

- Federation http://www.ifrc.org

We also recommend the UNESCO site, which presents access rules to the ICRC
Archives, the Federation archives, and to the archives of 80 other international
organizations.

All documents are currently available as hard copies only, and to some extent on the web.

Several National Societies do have archive departments. We invite you to visit their
respective web sites through the ICRC or International Federation websites.
Current issue: Edition 3-2008