May 8th is observed worldwide as International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day. This day is dedicated to the founder of the organization, Swiss writer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Henri Dunant. Dunant was profoundly influenced by the horrors he witnessed at the Battle of Solferino in 1859 between France and Austria, where he assisted 40,000 wounded alongside local residents. Upon returning to Switzerland in 1862, Henri Dunant detailed the severe aftermath of this battle in his book «A Memory of Solferino». Dunant distributed his book to military leaders, politicians, and philanthropists throughout Europe to draw global attention to the cruel realities of war, to aid the wounded, and to advocate for the creation of an international community. On February 17, 1863, the first commission was convened, later named the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, known today as the Red Cross. Thus, in 1863, the foundation of the World Committee of the Red Cross was laid. The emblem of the organization was created by reversing the colors of the Swiss flag: the cross was made red instead of white, and the background was made white instead of red. However, during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), the Ottoman Empire adopted the Red Crescent emblem, believing that the Red Cross symbol might create negative associations with the Crusaders among Muslim soldiers. Subsequently, this emblem was also adopted by other countries with predominantly Muslim populations. At the 25th International Conference of the Red Cross held in October 1986, the organization’s name was officially changed to the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Henri Dunant’s idea to create a society of volunteers within each country led to the formation of the first National Societies, with the Belgian Red Cross being the first established.

The primary objective of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the largest humanitarian organization in the world, is to alleviate human suffering, protect life and health, and uphold human dignity during armed conflicts and other emergencies. The organization comprises 190 member countries. The Movement includes three main components: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Committee of the Red Cross, and the National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

The  International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) serves as the core organization within the Movement. As an independent entity, it acts as a neutral intermediary among conflicting parties, hostile countries, and in cases of internal violence at both international and regional levels. In instances of international violence, the Committee exercises rights to humanitarian assistance established under the laws of the Movement. The ICRC is the guardian of the Fundamental Principles of the Movement. It is responsible for the recognition of newly established National Societies, regardless of their geographical location or official membership status in the world.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies supports National Societies, coordinates their activities, and acts as their international representative. National Societies of the Red Cross and Red Crescent are humanitarian organizations existing in countries that are signatories to the Geneva Conventions. There can be only one National Society per country.

The laws governing the Movement were initially adopted in 1928. These laws were first amended in 1958 and subsequently underwent further amendments during the international conference held in Geneva in 1986. The laws define the composition and duties of the Committee, the Federation, and the National Societies, each of which operates as an independent entity.

The Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society has a long and rich history. On March 10, 1920, Lieutenant General Aliaga Shikhlinski, acting as the Minister of Defense of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, appealed to the government for financial assistance for the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society. Based on this appeal, the government made its first corresponding decision to provide support.

Following the restoration of state independence, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society entered a new phase of development. On November 25, 1994, under the initiative of President Heydar Aliyev, the Milli Majlis (Parliament) adopted a resolution “On Improving the Work of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society”. This resolution recognized the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society as the sole official organization within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Azerbaijan. On November 26, 1995, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society was elected as a full, permanent, and equal member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Together with the IFRC, which is the largest humanitarian network in the world, the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society provides support and humanitarian services to millions of vulnerable people in Azerbaijan and around the globe.

The primary goal of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is to effectively utilize all human capacities to meet the various needs in the humanitarian sphere, to adhere to humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law, and to build a strong International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement where all participants can collaborate at the highest level. The Movement has tirelessly provided aid to victims of wars, natural disasters, and man-made catastrophes, as well as to socially disadvantaged populations, while also offering moral support to individuals, instilling in them a sense of confidence. The Movement delivers humanitarian assistance without discrimination based on nationality, race, religion, class, or political affiliation. The prestige of the Movement is enhanced by its active role in addressing social issues and by the noble qualities that define its activities, such as volunteerism, humanity, and kindness.

Recommended literature:

1. Aslanov, Novruz Davud oğlu. Qızıl Aypara dünən bugün sabah /Novruz Aslanov; Red.: Mailə Мuradxanlı; Tərt. еd.: Qafar Əsgərzadə. - Bакı: Adiloğlu, 2004. - 274 s.
2. Aslanov, Novruz Davud oğlu. Azərbaycan Qızıl Aypara Cəmiyyəti- zamanın axarında: 90 il mərhəmət keşiyində /N. Aslanov; red. R. Əliyev. - Bakı: Azərbaycan Qızıl Aypara Cəmiyyəti, 2010. - 454 s.
3. Aranlı, Şirxan. Mərhəmət yollarında/ Ş. Aranlı. - Ağcabədi: "Faziloğulları" MMC Sarvan Çap Evi, 2015. - 232 s.