May 8: World Red Cross / Red Crescent Day

[Osiris]

United by a global network of 97 million volunteers and 185 National Societies – all sharing a commitment to assist the most vulnerable -- the International Movement of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Movement) recognizes this day as an annual reminder of the lasting work and commitment of the Red Cross family.

May 8 marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Moved by the atrocities he witnessed during the Battle of Solferino in 1859, Dunant began advocating for the humane treatment of the sick and wounded during wartime. Four years later, Dunant founded the ICRC in an effort to alleviate human suffering, ultimately leading to the formation of the Movement. Today, the Movement is the largest humanitarian network in the world and assists more than 233 million people worldwide each year.

From this forum, I wish all my fellow Red Cross volunteers around the world, and especially in Lebanon, a happy Red Cross Day! Keep up the hard work!

[Mey]

I indeed thank everyone who helps spread awareness and help also by volunteering with the Red Cross or Crescent.

By the way, there is a misconception about the Red Cross and its Cross being a symbol of Christianity, and this is totally wrong.

The Red Cross symbol was done by 5 Swiss men who decided to take the flag of Switzerland and invert the colors to get the Red Cross Emblem.

Now whether the Swiss flag originates from roots of Christianity is debatable as there are many explanations for the flag, the federal flag (the square cross) was simply the union of 5 squares (Swiss provinces), however they changed it again to have the vertical 1/6 longer from the horizental.

Too bad the outcome of the flag resembled the flag of St George which was taken as a symbol at the times of the Crusades although the horizental in the St George flag is much longer.

So Muslim Countries (at the time of the Ottoman Empire and Turkey and Russia war) objected and decided to use the Crescent which was adopted also as a national symbol.

An example of pushing religion into something that the fathers did not intend to do. The Red Cross was not intended to be this way, but it was interpreted this way.

I think they should find a solution for this and now Israel says it wants to use the Star of David and if you think about it, they have the right just like the Muslims came up with the Crescent, to be honest I find it sad maybe they should just come up with a logo that is non religious.

[Rexus]

I should consider applying sometime. No really, I just jotted it down on my to dos. Or maybe donate blood or something. Whatever it be just do something humanitarian with a little more extra work than slipping a coin in a charity box. Hmm.. well if anyone's in need of O- blood just PM me :D later for now