In times of disasters, strife, and controversy, the International Red Cross provides relief to the masses affected. The Red Cross began as a movement to assist people during the Second War for Italian Independence and has grown to become a powerful, international organization. Today, this organization focuses on disaster preparedness programs and relief efforts through fund-raising, onsite aid, and awareness campaigns. People throughout the world support this worthy endeavor by volunteering their time, skills, and money in assisting others in need. The International Red Cross’ remarkable effect on the world is evident through their background, actions, and legacy in earning the Nobel Prize three times.
The Red Cross was founded by Henry Dunant, who was born in 1828 in the Swiss city of Geneva, to a family of wealth . Henry Dunant developed the idea of the Red Cross while following French political leader, Emperor Napoleon III, and witnessing the Battle of Solferino; when the battle had ended, Dunant was horrified at the destruction as “more than 30,000 soldiers had lost their lives, and thousands more had been wounded” (“The Red Cross Three” 2). The lack of medical treatment Dunant observed, along with the bloodshed he witnessed made a profound and lasting effect on him, as well as made him desire “a wider organization to give these relief societies a sense of purpose and shared aims” (Connolly 9). Connolly states, “[i]n 1863, a group of five men (including Dunant) organized a conference in Geneva, Switzerland, to set Dunant’s plans in motion” (9). This first Geneva conference was the beginning of the Red Cross movement and the first meeting of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The International Red Cross had their first major impact during the Great War, also known as World War I, even though they had already been operating for over fifty years.
The Great War included countless battles simultaneously occurring on different parts of the globe, which presented a challenge to the Red Cross. As new technological developments created more complex wounds, patients had to be assessed in a different manner. The Red Cross focused on providing medical aid to injured victims on battlefields. This enterprise remained confined to the battlefields and disasters of Europe until one enterprising young lady sought their aid.
Clara Barton volunteered in Civil War battles and nursed injured soldiers back to health. As she continued helping victims of battle wounds in different wars, she was able to observe other medical practices and organizations including the work the Red Cross was accomplishing. Barton saw the Red Cross in action during the Franco-Prussian War and knew she wanted a similar group back in the United States. She encouraged the U.S. government to sign the Geneva agreement in 1882. After the Civil War ended, Barton used the information she learned from her trips to England about the Red Cross to provide assistance during floods and earthquakes. As a result of all the work and efforts the International Red Cross has performed, including aiding and supporting those who need help, they have won four Nobel Prizes. Of the four Nobel prizes won,Henry Dunant was first to win, in 1901, for his creation of the International Red Cross.
The Red Cross “has figured four times in the award of the Nobel Peace prize (1917, 1944, and 1963), as well as in the award to Henry Dunant (1901)” (“International Committee of the Red” 1). The first Nobel Prize the Red Cross accepted was in 1917. The award was for the Red Cross efforts before World War I broke out, as well as for creating the International Prisoners-of-War Agency. During the conflict of World War I, the International Prisoners-of-War Agency listed almost two-and-a-half-million Prisoners of War (POWs), visited many of the prisoners, and enabled families to send relief parcels. The second Nobel award in 1944 was shared with former U.S. Secretary of State, Cordell Hull. Libæk states the Nobel Peace Prize was presented to the Red Cross for their “service of humanity and for reconciliation, […] its services to prisoners of war, its relief work in occupied countries [,] and its appeals to the belligerents to observe international law” (14). The third and most recent Nobel Prize bestowed upon the Red Cross was in 1963 and awarded jointly with the League of Red Cross societies. Libæk stated “[t]he task of the League is to coordinate humanitarian work carried out by the national Red Cross societies on an international basis during times of peace, such as relief aid for refugees and emergency assistance in response to natural disasters” (“The Red Cross Three” 18). The Red Cross was awarded for the humanitarian work they have done with the League, as well as for provided protection for civilians in time of war. As the Red Cross grows, new partnerships are created to access more resources to help the people in need.
With the expansion of the Red Cross, partnerships are needed for many reasons. Private companies have teamed up with the Red Cross by donating money and their time to enhance the image of their company by showing they have a responsibility to society. The Home Depot has recently partnered with the Red Cross to educate people on hurricane and disaster relief preparedness. The volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross by donating, “she urged every man, woman and child in this country to join the Red Cross… to help in this new movement for preparedness” (“1915 Goal of America” 1). Blood drives are important to the Red Cross because the donated blood goes to people who have lost blood “through serious injuries or during operations” (Connolly 43). The Red Cross also has a school chest program that aims “to help victims of disasters and begin to lead normal lives again” (Connolly 43). Today the Red Cross responds to devastating natural disasters in a flash with volunteers on the scene and with the help of social media communicating information on the impact of the disaster. To improve “the Red Cross movement as a whole will be looking at its strengths and weaknesses in order to successfully face the future” (Connolly 37). As the Red Cross strives to expand and grow their organization, they continue to aid more people and rebuild their lives.
The International Red Cross continues to have a marvelous effect on the world, which can be seen through their history and creation, actions, and legacy in earning three Nobel Peace Prizes. The Red Cross was initiated by a man, Henry Dunant, who wanted to create an organization that would be neutral in battles and equally aid injured soldiers back to health. As the Red Cross movement took place in many battle fields, the organization started to grow with people like Clara Barton who brought the Red Cross to America. With all the remarkable actions the Red Cross has accomplish, it won three Nobel Prizes. Today people all over the world know about the Red Cross and how they are helping people in need. The Red Cross has helped millions of people since it’s creation and is not planning on stopping anytime soon, the Red Cross is still volunteering and preparing for disasters with the help of tons of people.