Indian Red Cross Society
The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) was established in 1920 under the Indian Red Cross Society Act, making it a key player in promoting humanitarian principles and providing disaster response, preparedness, and healthcare in the community. The President of India serves as the Honorary President of the society, and the Union Health Minister is the Chairman.
IRCS operates across 35 State and Union Territory branches with over 700 district and sub-district branches, focusing on four core areas:
- Promoting humanitarian values.
- Disaster response and recovery.
- Disaster preparedness and risk reduction.
- Health and care in the community.
The Red Cross promotes humanitarian values that emphasize respect for human dignity and encourage collective problem-solving efforts.
Disaster response remains a significant focus, while preparedness initiatives aim to make communities more resilient to natural and man-made disasters. Additionally, the society's health programs address critical gaps in access to basic healthcare and health education, ensuring better community well-being.
History of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
The roots of the Red Cross Movement trace back to 1859, when Swiss businessman Jean Henry Dunant witnessed the horrific aftermath of the Battle of Solferino during the Franco-Austrian War in Italy. Moved by the suffering of wounded soldiers, he mobilized local communities to provide relief services. Inspired by this experience, he authored the book Memory of Solferino, proposing the creation of a neutral organization dedicated to assisting soldiers in times of war.
This idea led to the convening of an international conference in Geneva, which eventually gave birth to the Red Cross Movement. The International Red Cross Movement was officially founded with the Geneva Convention of 1864. The name and emblem of the Red Cross are derived from the reversal of the Swiss national flag, symbolizing the country where the movement originated and honoring its legacy.
Indo-American College