Organization code
RED-CROSS
Catégorie
Organisations
Established
17 February 1863
Headquarters
Geneva, Switzerland
Members
Founding body of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, with over 20,000 staff
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was founded in Geneva by Henry Dunant and others as the founding body of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It protects victims of armed conflict and promotes international humanitarian law, and has received the Nobel Peace Prize three times (1917, 1944, 1963).
To protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, provide assistance, and promote universal respect for international humanitarian law as codified in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols.
1859
The Battle of Solferino inspired Henry Dunant's vision for wounded-soldier relief
1863
The 'Committee of Five' founded what became the ICRC
1864
The first Geneva Convention established protection for battlefield wounded
1917
First Nobel Peace Prize (again in 1944 and 1963)
A red cross on white — the colours of the Swiss flag inverted in tribute to the birthplace of the movement, fixed in 1863. The red cross, red crescent and the red crystal (adopted 2006) are statutory protective emblems.
Adopted
1863 (red cross); 2006 (red crystal emblem)
Usage note
The red cross, red crescent and red crystal are protective emblems under international law; misuse is prohibited by national laws and commercial use requires authorisation.
