The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement was founded in 1863, based on the war experience of Henry Dunant. As a Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant arrived at the Italian town of Solferino right after a battle had taken place between the Austrians and the French.
Deeply distressed by the sight of the wounded, abandoned in their thousands, he attempted to bring them relief and called on the local population to give assistance.
Later in a book title “A Memory of Solferino “, he suggested the setting up in every country in time of peace of volunteer relief societies which in time of conflict would assist the army medical services.
Today, Dunant’s idea had developed into a global movement with 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies supported by more than 100 million members and volunteers. They work hand in hand with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).