6 things you may not know about the

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Photo by: American Red Cross / Talia Frenkel

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day has been celebrated since 1948. It falls on

May 8, the birthday of International Committee of the Red Cross founder and first Nobel

Peace Prize winner Henry Dunant (born in 1928).

Photo by: Red Cross

What’s the difference between ICRC and IFRC? The International Committee of the

Red Cross helps victims of armed conflicts while the International Federation of Red

Cross and Red Crescent Societies works with national societies to respond to

catastrophes and health emergencies and prepare communities for disasters.

Photo by: Rainer Romirer

The Geneva Conventions are four treaties that provide the foundation for contemporary

humanitarian law, guiding ICRC's work. All but two of the 195 signatories to the

conventions are U.N. members: the Holy See and Cook Islands.

Photo by: Catholic Church England and Wales

Only one woman has held the top job at either ICRC or IFRC. Astrid Nøklebye Heiberg,

now a state secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services, served as

IFRC president from 1997 to 2001.

Photo by: Kjetil Ree

The movement uses three emblems: the red cross, red crescent and red crystal. The

red crystal denotes freedom from any religious, cultural or political affiliation and is used

by national societies that do not wish to use either of the two other symbols, such as

Israel’s Magen David Adom.

Photo by: Kjetil Ree

In 2012, ICRC had its largest operation in Afghanistan, followed by Iraq and the

Democratic Republic of Congo; its three biggest donors were the governments of the

United States and Switzerland and the European Commission.

Photo by: IMarcel Stoessel / ICRC

Photo by: American Red Cross / Talia Frenkel

Want to stay up to date on humanitarian aid news?

Join Devex and follow us on Twitter