World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is held on May 8 every year to honour the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman and the founder of the (ICRC) International Committee of the Red Cross, the world’s largest humanitarian aid organisation. It is also a celebration of the fundamental principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Humanity. Impartiality. Neutrality. Independence. Voluntary Service. Unity. Universality. These are not mere abstract ideals, but form the foundation of the organisation’s actions, which are grounded in compassion, dignity, and hope.
My first assignment with the British Red Cross was twenty-one years ago this month. I had the privilege of photographing Sir Nick Young, the former Chief Executive, outside the UK headquarters (at that time of the portrait) on Grosvenor Crescent. Since then, I have continued to serve the British Red Cross by capturing images of their remarkable projects, ranging from disaster relief to community assistance programs.
This year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day comes at a time of profound change and increasing complexity in the humanitarian landscape. Around the world, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are working in environments where access is limited, needs are rising, and the rules designed to protect civilians and humanitarian workers are too often ignored. From armed conflicts to disasters and health emergencies, the challenges are immense. Polarization and mistrust are deepening in many places, making their principled humanitarian action more important than ever.
