The International Red Cross is a wonderful worldwide organization.  When it first started, it was just to help injured soldiers during the World Wars.  The founder eventually decided to keep the Red Cross going to help the injured and sick.

The flag for the Red Cross honors Switzerland because it was founded there in 1863.  The Swiss flag is a white cross with a red background.  The Red Cross flag is a red cross on a white background.  In Muslim countries, the society is called the Red Crescent and the flag is a red crescent on a white background.  In Israel, the society is called the Magen David Adom and has a red star of David and a white background for the flag.

You may have heard of the American Red Cross or another branch of the Red Cross.  Don’t be fooled.  The American Red Cross is just a smaller branch of the International Red Cross.

The Red Cross/Red Crescent/Magen David Adom all have seven principles that direct their work.  They are:  1)Humanity (very important)  2)Being impartial  3)Neutrality (they don’t take sides)   4)Independence   5)Volunteerism (don’t ask for money)   6)Universality   7)Unity.  Those seven principles are very important to the Red Cross, the Red Crescent and the Magen David Adom societies.

The Red Cross visits people that were captured in wars and tells them about what’s going on with their family.  The Red Cross also sets up tents for homeless people to live in.  Another thing the Red Cross does is they make artificial limbs for people that have lost an arm or leg.

The International Red Cross has helped millions of people since it started many years ago.  I hope it will be able to help millions more.

Citations

Books and Media

Perkins, Ralph World Organizations; International Red Cross, Franklin Watts, New York, 2001.

Images

Images of Swiss building and Red Cross Flag from "Clip Art Gallery"  Images free for non-profit and personal use. (October-February, 2003-2004). 

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