Here are some interesting facts about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

1. 6 things you may not know about the
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Photo by: American Red Cross / Talia Frenkel

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Photo by: American Red Cross / Talia Frenkel
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