Red Cross Week – May 4-10, 2024

History of Red Cross Week

World Red Cross Day is celebrated to honor the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement founder Henry Dunant who was born on May 8, 1828. It aims to bring to light, the public’s understanding of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and how they can help in achieving its mission to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity, especially during armed conflicts and other emergencies. Red Cross Week which falls between May 4 and May 10 stands as a week-long fundraising effort to raise money for those in need or crisis and should be encouraged by everyone around the World.

In February 1863, The International Committee of the Red Cross (I.C.R.C.) was founded in Geneva, Switzerland as a private organization to provide swift and efficient humanitarian response to people in war and disaster-affected areas. Red Crescent Societies are affiliated and work in cooperation with the Red Cross to assist in the activities of the movement. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has approximately 17 million volunteers, members, and staff and can be found in almost every nation worldwide.

Red Cross Week is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign of the year, and people choose to get involved in so many ways. Support can be given to the charity organization by helping to raise awareness, doing small acts of kindness every day, and sharing on social media using the hashtag #PowerofKindness. Fund-raising events happen throughout the week such as cake sales, open gardens, and leisure events.