This year’s World Red Cross Day was jointly celebrated by the ICRC, the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in New Delhi on May 8, 2016. Acting Secretary-General of the IRCS, Dr Veer Bhushan along with the Head of the Country Cluster, South Asia for the IFRC, Mr Leon Prop, and Ms Mary Werntz, Head of the Regional Delegation, ICRC New Delhi acknowledged the critical contribution made by the Red Cross volunteers and staff to humanity globally. They specially recognized the achievements of the volunteers and staff who work tirelessly in the face of multiple challenges in diverse contexts.

Shri JP Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chairperson of the IRCS in his statement, affirmed that “Henry Dunant’s idea of voluntary, impartial and humanitarian service to victims of war has been immortalized in the formation of the Red Cross Movement. It is the selfless service of Red Cross volunteers that we celebrate when we observe his birthday every 8th of May.”

To mark the occasion, the IRCS, together with the ICRC and the IFRC, also organised essay writing, photography and painting competitions amongst Junior Red Cross members, Youth Red Cross members and others.  Entries received from diverse age groups across the country were 200 for essays, 150 for paintings and 50 for photographs. The winners received awards at a ceremony held at the national headquarters of the IRCS in New Delhi.