World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, held on 8 May, the birthday of our founder Henry Dunant, is an annual celebration of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Each year, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies organize activities to highlight the unique role of the Movement in their respective countries.
The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement supports millions of people around the world every year – in times of conflict, natural disaster and crisis. Drawing on more than 150 years of humanitarian action, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is committed to providing relevant and timely humanitarian service to vulnerable communities now and into the future.
Millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent staff around the world reach more than 160 million people every year providing a diverse and innovative range of impartial services. But our approach is universal, guided at every turn by our Fundamental Principles: Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity and Universality.
On World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, we celebrate the bravery and achievements of our volunteers and staff, whose life-saving and life-changing services ensure that we keep our commitment to humanity every day. We are local and international, independent and neutral, and we are everywhere for everyone. Around the world, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is providing a wide range of services to the most vulnerable people in all types of contexts - from responding to needs in disaster and conflict situations, to providing assistance in urban centres and hard to reach areas, and advocating on behalf of those in need in policy circles and to governments. We provide a diverse and enterprising range of services tailored to the needs of local communities, helping people prepare for, deal with and recover from crisis. A global and independent network of around 11.6 million active volunteers and 450,000 staff, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is working within communities in more than 190 countries.
Our volunteers and staff come from all around the world and provide diverse assistance to 160 million people. But our approach is universal, we mobilize the power of humanity to save lives and relieve suffering. Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff make the last mile effort to ensure that no one is left behind. Whether natural or human-made disasters, armed conflict or health and social care issues, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff are there to help, without any discrimination.
