INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
THROUGH HUMANITY TO PEACE
DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT BRANCH
HENRY DUNANT (1828-1910)
He was born on 8th may 1828
The man whose vision led to the creation of the worldwide
Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. He went from
riches to rags but became joint recipient of the first Nobel
Peace Prize.
History of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement -:
Young Swiss businessman, Jean Henry Dunant was appalled by
the condition of the wounded soldiers he happened to see in
the battle field of Solferino , Italy in 1859 during the Franco Austrian war. He arranged relief services with the help of the
local community immediately. He wrote the book 'Memory of
Solferino' suggesting that a neutral organization be
established to aid the wounded soldiers in times of war. Just a
year after the release of this book, an international conference
was convened in Geneva to consider the suggestions of Henry
Dunant and thus the Red Cross Movement was born.
International Red Cross Movement was established by Geneva
Convention of 1864. The name and the emblem of the
movement are derived from the reversal of the Swiss national
flag, to honor the country in which Red Cross was found
Who We Are :
The Indian Red Cross is a voluntary
humanitarian organization having a network of over
700 branches throughout the country, providing relief
in times of disasters/emergencies and promotes health
& care of the vulnerable people and communities. It is a
leading member of the largest independent
humanitarian organization in the world, the
International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement.
The Mission of the Indian Red Cross is to inspire,
encourage and initiate at all times all forms of
humanitarian activities so that human suffering can be
minimized and even prevented and thus contribute to
creating more congenial climate for peace.
Red Cross Emblem-:
The National Society make use of the emblem as an
indicative device in peacetime and during armed
conflicts within the limits stipulated in national
legislation, the regulations and its statutes only for
activities consistent with the principles set out by
International Federation of the Red Cross and Red
Crescent
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
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Humanity
Impartiality
Neutrality
Independence
Voluntary Service
Unity
Universality
Humanity-:
The international Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance
without discrimination to the wounded on the
battlefield, endeavors, 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 to ensure respect for the
human being. It promotes mutual understanding,
friendship, co-operation and lasting peace amongst
all peoples.
Impartiality-:
It makes no discrimination as to
nationality, race, religious, beliefs, class or
political options. It endeavors to relieve
the suffering of individuals, being solely
by their needs and to give priority to the
most urgent cases of distress.
Neutrality-:
In order to enjoy the confidence of all the
Movement may not take sides in
hostilities or engage in controversies of a
political, racial, religious or ideological
nature.
Independence-:
The Movement is independent. The
National Societies, while auxiliaries in
the laws of their Governments and
subject to the laws of their respective
countries, must always maintain their
authority so that they may be able at
all times to act in accordance with the
principles of the Movement.
Voluntary Service-:
It is voluntary relief movement
not prompted in any manner by
desire for again.
Unity-:
There can be only one Red Cross
or Red Crescent in any one
country. It must be open to all. It
must carry on its humanitarian
work throughout its territory.
Universality-:
The International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement, in which
all societies have equal
responsibilities and duties in
helping each other, is worldwide.
President IRCS
Hon'ble President of India :
Shri Pranab Mukherjee
Chairman IRCS
Hon’ble Minister of Health & Family
Welfare, Government of India:
Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad
Secretary General
Dr. S.P. Agarwal
In charge of Indian Red Cross Society-:
For country- President of India
For State - Governor
For District- D.C.
Volunteer-:
Volunteering has been at the very heart of the Red
Cross since its inception in 1920.Volunteers are the backbone of
all Indian Red Cross activities, helping branches to run successful
programmes and assisting millions of vulnerable people in need.
IRCS reward and recognize volunteers whenever possible and
appropriate and provides appropriate personal development
opportunities.
IRCS recruits volunteers irrespective of their race, ethnicity, sex,
religious belief, age, and disability or membership. All volunteers
are entitled to choose to become a Member of Indian Red Cross
Society, can have appropriate training or personnel development
to be able to undertake their agreed tasks or role; and accept or
refuse any task or role in accordance of a code of ethic or
fundamentals of a voluntary service.
Junior Red Cross-:
Children and adolescent also represent a substantial
part of the membership of Red Cross for its
humanitarian commitment. Young volunteers can
make a significant contribution to meeting the needs
of the most vulnerable people within their local
communities through Red Cross programme. This has
been designed to involve young people as much as
possible in the movement and its activities not only as
workers but also as beneficiaries, and as partners in
management.
Programmes and Activities :
The Indian Red Cross's programmes are grouped into four main
core areas: Promoting humanitarian principles and values;
Disaster response; Disaster preparedness; and Health and Care
in the Community.
Red Cross promotes the Humanitarian values, which encourage
respect for other human beings and a willingness to work
together to find solutions to problems. From the seven
fundamental principles, the movement aims to influence the
behavior of all the people.
Disaster response continues to represent the largest portion of
IRCS work, with assistance to millions of people annually
ranging from refugees to victims of natural disasters.
Other Major activities includes-:
hospital services, blood bank, HIV/AIDS programmes,
home for disabled servicemen ,vocational training
centers, tracing activities, maternity , child and family
welfare, nursing, junior red cross activities,
preparedness and prevention of communicable &
infectious diseases, relief operations in fire, railway &
other accidents and events .
If one wants to become a
Volunteer,
Please contact nearest District Red
Cross
Address:INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
DAKSHIN KANNADA DIST. BRANCH
“RED CROSS BHAVAN”, Behind DC Office
Mangalore-575001
THANK YOU
COMPILED AND DESIGNED BY
MR. SANTHOSH PETER D’SOUZA
MR. NITHIN