The
Beginnings
of the
Red Cross
Battle of Solferino, Italy, 1859
• Henry Dunant organized volunteers
to assist the wounded
• no organized medical system
• 40,000 wounded or dying
• 300,000 soldiers were involved
• War between France and Austria
“A Memory of Solferino” published in 1862
Two Ideas of Henry Dunant:
To create, in each country,
an organization of trained
volunteers ready to assist
the wounded in war
To promote an international
agreement protecting the
wounded soldiers on the
battlefield and those
who care for them
“A Memory of Solferino” published in 1862
Two Ideas of Henry Dunant:
To create, in each country,
an organization of trained
volunteers ready to assist
the wounded in war
To promote an international
agreement protecting the
wounded soldiers on the
battlefield and those
who care for them
Two Ideas of Henry Dunant:
International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement
International Committee of the Red Cross
National Societies
International Federation of Red Cross
and Red Crescent Societies
International Humanitarian Law
Geneva Law
Hague Law
Additional Protocols
International
Red Cross and
Red Crescent
Movement
International International International
Committee of the Conference Federation of
Red Cross (1863) of the Red Red Cross and
Cross & Red Red Crescent
Crescent Societies
(1919)
National
Red Cross &
Red Crescent
Societies
1876 Russo-Turkish war: the Ottoman
Empire uses a Red Crescent on a white
ground in place of the Red Cross.
Since then, most Islamic countries opted to
use the Red Crescent emblem. Indonesia
opted to stick to the Red Cross emblem.
Red Cross or Red Crescent, they have the
same meaning, the same mission: to help
alleviate human suffering brought by
wars and natural disasters.
Principles
of the
Red Cross
The Red Cross endeavors to prevent
and alleviate human suffering.
It promotes:
Mutual
understanding
Friendship
Cooperation
No discrimination as to:
Nationality
Race
Religious beliefs
Class
Political opinions
Priority to the
most urgent cases
of distress.
To enjoy the confidence of all,
the Red Cross
does not take
sides in hostilities
does not engage
in controversies
Religious beliefs
Ideologies, racial,
political opinion
The Red Cross
is independent
respects the laws
of the nation
acts according to
its principles
The Red Cross is
not motivated by
the desire for
gain.
Only one Red
Cross in any
country.
Open to ALL.
The Red Cross is worldwide.
All National
Societies have:
equal status
equal duty to
help each other
The Use and Misuse
of the Red Cross
Emblem
Red Cross Emblem
The sign and the words Red Cross are
protected under PD 1643 (PNRC Charter)
Exclusive use:
1. AFP Medical Services 4. International Committee
of the Red Cross
2. Philippine National 3. International Federation of
Red Cross Red Cross and Red Crescent
Uses of the Emblem
Protective a visible sign of protection granted in
war-time by the Geneva Conventions to
Armed Red Cross Red Cross
Forces Workers - Medical units
Medical PNRC, ICRC
Personnel Federation and transport
Note: must be of large dimensions
Uses of the Emblem
Indicative in wartime or peacetime, shows that a
person/object is connected with the International
Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
International Philippine International
Committee National Federation of
of the Red Red Cross Red Cross and
Cross Red Crescent
Note: must be of small dimension
Misuse of the Emblem
Improper Use
unauthorized use by
persons or institutions
Prohibition
1. Unauthorized Use
2. Imitation
Penalties
Court discretion for each offense
1. Fine: not less than 2. Imprisonment: not
and/or
Php1,000 more than 1 year
Misuse of the Emblem
Imitation
use of signs that may be
confused with the emblem
Prohibition
1. Unauthorized Use
2. Imitation
Penalties
Court discretion for each offense
1. Fine: not less than 2. Imprisonment: not
and/or
Php1,000 more than 1 year
Misuse of the Emblem
Grave misuse
marking of armed
combatants or military
equipment in wartime
for protection
