History of Red Cross

The origins of the Red Cross movement

The emblem of the Red Cross or Red Crescent on a white background is recognized the world over as a symbol of protection, relief and comfort. It is the badge of an international, voluntary, humanitarain organization: the International red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Henry Dunant

The origins of the Red Cross Movement stem from the Battle of Solferino, fought in Italy between austria and the alliance of France and sardinia in 1859. Henry Dunant, a young Swiss businessman, was appalled by the suffering of the wounded and dying on both sides. He galvanized local people into tending the wounded, regardless of their nationality. Two years later, he wrote an account of his experience, A Memory of Solferino, which was published in 1862. In his book, Dunnat proposed an idea that eventually led to the formation of the Red Cross Movement. "Would it not be possible," he asked, "to form relief societies... for training volunteers to care for the wounded in wartime... based on some international principle...". As a direct response to this plea, a committee headed by Gustave Moynier convened a conference of states, in Geneva in 1863, to consider the role of relief societies and their acceptance by military authorities. The conference was attended by delegations from 16 countries. It passed ten resolutions for the organization and operation of relief societies and recomended the neutrality of army medical services and those under their care.

The Geneva Convention

On 22 August 1864, the delegates from 12 states signed the Convention of Geneva "for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded in armies in the field". By 1867, all 16 states had ratified or acceded to the Convention, except for the United States, who did so in 1882. In 1875, the Geneva Committee became the International Committee. Dunant's idea of voluntary relief societies also struck a chord in many countries. The first society was formed in 1863 in Wurtenburg, and soon there were over 30 in Europe and America.

For Dunant, the triumph was shortlived. His business wentures failed and, in 1867, he was declared bankrupt. Shortly after, he retired into obscurity. He was rediscovered in destitution as an old man and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901. Dunant was delighted to receive the honour and recognition the award brought atlhough he never used the prize money of 10,400 French francs. He died nine years later in October 1910.

The establishment of the Movement

The International Committee of the Red Cross, whose governing assembly is composed of a maximum of 25 swiss citizens, is a private, neutral, independent institution that operates in armed conflicts and situations of internal violence to protect and assist the victims. Its role is defined in the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the two Additional Protocols of 1977. 

Following the end of World War I, there was widespread chaos throughout much of Europe. It was as a response to the need to create a body capable of coordinating large-scale relief in peacetime that Henry Davidson, president of the war Committee of the American Red Cross, proposed "to federate the red Cross Societies of the different countries into an organisation comparable to the League of Nations, in view of a worldwide crusade to improve health, prevent sickness and alleviate suffering". In May 1919, the League of Red Cross Societies (since 1991 called the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) was established. The federation's role today is to coordinate international releif for victims of natural disasters and for refugees and displaced people outside conflict zones. It also assists individual national societies with their development.

Geneva Conventions

Since 1949 there have been four Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims which have been adopted by virtually every country in the world. The aim of the original Convention of 1864 was to improve the condition of wounded of armies in the field. In 1907, a Convention, agreed at the Hague, adapted previous provisions to cover the wounded of maritime warfare. A further Convention adopted in 1929, detailed acceptable treatment of prisoners of war, while a Convention of 1949 provided for the protection of civilians in time of war. Thwo nes treaties, called Protocols, were drawn up in 1977. These add to and update the 1949 Geneva Conventions, taking into account modern means of warfare and aiming to give greater protection to civilians. It is the work of the international Committee to develop the Geneva Conventions and the entire Movement has a key role in their promotion throughout the world.

Lithuanian Red Cross Society

Lithuanian also participated in the movement, although within the Russian Red Cross society. The society did not ahve any property other than the premises, was not distinguished for any wider activities and stopped functioning when World War I broke out. On april 12, 1918, Dr Rokas Šliūpas and the priest Kazimieras Šiaulys, a signatory of the 1918 Lithuanian Independence Act, handed in the request to revive the activities of the society to the German occupation authorities. After a month the Kreisphauptman gave his consent, but on condition that the German doctor of the area should be informed of all the activities and decisions of the society. It was for this and some other reasons that the activities of the society were not revived.

In 1919, whe Lithuanian authorities moved to Kaunas, the question of the RC society rose again. On January 12, 1919, thanks to the efforts of the physicians R.Šliūpas, J.Alekna, V.Ingelevičius, the pharmacist J.Makauskas, the constituent assembly was held, in which 40 people took part. The statute consisting of 76 paragraphs was adopted, the supreme board and the inspection committee were elected. Dr. Rokas Šliūpas was elected the chairperson of the society.

In 1919 the supreme board held 18 sittings. In the country drained and exausted by war the Lithuanian RC had to take care of the sick and the wounded soldiers, to make implements, to repair the premises, etc..

Anniversary medal of the Lithuanian Red Cross

In 1999 Lithuanian Red Cross society celebrated 80th anniversary of the active life of national society. On this ocassion Anniversary medal was issued. Most outstanding people of the Lithuanian Red Cross - volunteers, staffmembers, visiting nurses received this medal as a sign of high evaluation of their efforts to help the people in need. Medal was made by artist Eugėnė Dūdaitė - Antušienė.