irish red cross first aid training
A century and a half ago, an ambitious idea became reality with the
establishment of the ICRC and relief Societies, known today as National Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Red Cross Movement, with 97 million
members worldwide, is the largest humanitarian aid organisation in the world
today. It was founded by Swiss business man Henri Dunant following the battle of
Solferino in northern Italy in 1859, which saw over 40,000 people killed or
wounded. Horrified by the anguished cries of the war-wounded left to suffer and
die on the battlefield (many of whom pleaded for the coup de grace), Dunant
organised help from the nearest village, Solferino. The wounded, from both
sides, were ferried to makeshift hospitals in local homes and barns. Dunant
returned to Geneva where he penned his account of the battle in "A Memory of
Solferino", urging people to set up voluntary relief societies to deal with the
hardship of war. His book led to the foundation of the International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC). This organisation was established by Dunant and four
Geneva businessmen in 1863. The following year, the first Geneva Convention for
the alleviation of the conditions of the wounded in armies in the field was
adopted, together with the emblem of the Red Cross on a white background. The
principles and aims of the ICRC were replicated in National Societies around the
world with members trained in First Aid and emergency care. It was decided that
the ICRC should continue to be run by Swiss nationals. After World War I it was
decided that National Societies should form their own umbrella group also based
in Geneva - this was known as the League of Red Cross Societies but today is
called the Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The Irish
Red Cross Society is a member of the IFRC which has 192 member societies around
the world.
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