World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
The theme of this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day — Keeping Humanity Alive — is a call to celebrate those who give their time, and sometimes their lives, to ease the suffering of others and protect their inherent human dignity. In a time of unprecedented crises and loss, it’s also a poignant reminder of the daily dangers faced by humanitarian workers and our collective obligation to ensure their life-saving work is fully respected and protected.
Keeping Humanity Alive around the world
Dr. Chaw Khin talks with people impacted by Cyclone Mocha in 2023 during a cash distribution aimed at helping them get back on their feet after the storm.
Photo: Myanmar Red Cross Society
Even in the darkest of times, the signs of humanity shine brightly. Today, we share the stories of people around the world who embody that light, even as they tackle some of humanity’s greatest challenges:
A 66-year-old woman (see photo, left) who leads her Red Cross branch in bringing critical, life-saving services to people whose lives have been turned upside down by political unrest, displacement, a global pandemic and tropical storms.
In Lebanon, teams of highly trained staff and volunteers respond to shipwrecked migrants who appear on their country’s shores after becoming lost at sea, or after being pushed back from foreign shores.
On the eastern border of Chad, volunteers from the Red Cross of Chad help local communities improve water, sanitation and hygiene. They go door-to-door, street-to-street cleaning up dangerous, unsanitary waste while spreading the word about good hygiene.
More World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day stories
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day: In the hills along the border, Lupita brings water, first-aid and a big dose of humanity
World Red Cross Red Crescent Day: In the hills along the border, Lupita brings water, first-aid and a big dose of humanity
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: How a vigilant volunteer helped thwart an emerging cholera outbreak
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: How a vigilant volunteer helped thwart an emerging cholera outbreak
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: 8 May is a chance to celebrate and commemorate
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: 8 May is a chance to celebrate and commemorate
A message for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
A message for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
Video: World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2024
Keeping Humanity Alive, protecting humanitarian workers
A Libyan Red Crescent volunteer crosses flood water in search of survivors from the devastating floods that hit Libya in September 2023.
Photo: Libyan Red Crescent
The mission to ‘keep Humanity alive’ can be extremely dangerous. In the aftermath of earthquakes, floods or armed conflict, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers face great risks as they endeavor to protect the lives of others.
Since September 2023, a total of 28 Red Cross and Red Crescent staff members and volunteers have lost their lives in the line of duty. Some of them died during rescue attempts after floods or other natural disasters, while others were killed trying to save lives during armed conflict.
Keeping Humanity alive compels us, therefore, to demand with even greater force that humanitarian and health workers are fully protected and get the best possible care for their physical and mental well-being, wherever they are working.
History of World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
Portrait of Henry Dunant, founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross
Photo: IFRC
The idea for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day came about after the First World War, when an "annual action that could take hold in the whole world... that would be a major contribution to peace" was discussed at the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross.
8 May was eventually chosen because it is the anniversary of the birth of the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant.
The first 'International Red Cross Day', as it used to be known, was celebrated on 8 May 1948. The official title of the day changed over time and became known as 'World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day' in 1984.
Today, the day is an opportunity every year to celebrate our network of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, reaffirm our unwavering commitment to a common humanity, and reflect on our Fundamental Principles.