Article – 8 May 2022

This year’s slogan for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is to #BeHumanKind.

Every year, on May 8, the commemoration of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as a humanitarian network of 80 million members around the world is celebrated who are ready to help people affected by disasters, conflicts and other health and social difficulties.

This date marks the birthday anniversary of Henry Dunant who was born on May 8, 1828 and is the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the first Nobel Peace Prize winner.

Humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality are the fundamental principles that form the ethical, operational, and organizational framework of the RC/RC Movement. These principles are at the heart of the movement’s approach to help people in need during armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other emergencies. Respecting these principles ensures the humanitarian nature of the movement’s work and the integrity among a wide range of activities it carries out around the world.

In recent months, several humanitarian crises have affected large populations and affected the most vulnerable.

Covid-19 pandemic and environmental crises to armed conflict in Ukraine and Afghanistan, were among humanitarian challenges that humanity faced over the past year.

These situations make us reflect more than ever on one important fundamental principle: humanity.

Being kind is the culmination of humanity. Kindness creates hope even at the times of despair and that is why this year’s theme for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is #BeHumanKind.

You might, for instance, listen to a friend’s concerns or buy her a small gift to make her happy. And this act of kindness may encourage your friend to do the same for a family member or co-worker, and this chain of kindness continues.

This way, soon, you realize that these links of kindnesses create a synergy and bring us closer together under the spirit of humanity. And makes a huge impact in our world.

As part of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is an independent and neutral organization that ensures humanitarian support and assistance to victims of armed conflicts and other situations of violence. ICRC responds to emergency situations while promoting respect for the international humanitarian law (IHL), the law of war, and its implementation in national law.

As those of other members of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, the humanitarian activities of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are of kindness.

Kindness is the interpretation of the principle of humanity of the international RC/RC movement, and what the ICRC, as component of the movement, is always providing for vulnerable populations around the world.

In the light of this view, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has decided to celebrate these kind deeds this year. Be it big or small, these kind deeds can make big differences in people’s lives.

Meanwhile, this year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), and on this occasion the IRCS will receive Presidents of several Red Cross and Red Crescent, Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and President of the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent societies (IFRC).