World Red Cross Red Crescent Day Celebrated Around the World – And Throughout America

WASHINGTON, Monday, May 07, 2007 — Whether it's an earthquake in Indonesia, a cyclone in Mozambique or a tornado in Kansas, the Red Cross is there – helping the vulnerable, sheltering the displaced and comforting the needy. When thousands of lives are touched by tragedy, millions are moved to help with their time and money. The American Red Cross, as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, mobilizes the generosity of people in America to help the lives of those that need assistance most.

In recognition of its continued efforts, the American Red Cross joins Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world and more than 750 chapters in the United States in celebrating World Red Cross Red Crescent Day on May 8. World Red Cross Red Crescent Day honors the efforts of Red Cross workers and volunteers worldwide who work tirelessly to alleviate human suffering.

May 8 marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Moved by the atrocities he witnessed during the Battle of Solferino in 1859, Dunant began advocating for the humane treatment of the sick and wounded during wartime. He was later honored by being one of the first recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement comprises more than 97 million members and volunteers – the world's largest humanitarian network – and assists more than 233 million people worldwide each year. Although each national society has its unique qualities, each is united by common fundamental principles and the goal of improving the lives of those in need.

Over the past year, volunteers from the American Red Cross responded to hundreds of disasters in local communities and around the world. Whether providing shelter after a house fire, landslide, tornado or hurricane; or immunizing millions against measles and providing nets to prevent malaria, the American Red Cross strives to work with our partner organizations to help prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters both natural and man-made.

In 2006, the American Red Cross responded to 23 international disasters by contributing more than $16 million in financial support, deploying delegates and providing relief supplies and other emergency assistance to millions affected by disasters. American Red Cross employees and volunteers continue to help affected communities recover from the tsunami by providing assistance to more than 3.3 million people. Since 2001, the American Red Cross and its partners in the Measles Initiative have vaccinated more than 372 million children against measles and delivered relief to thousands of survivors of the South Asian earthquake. Each day, volunteers from the American Red Cross disseminate essential information on international humanitarian law and reunite individuals through family linking programs.

Together with its Movement partners, the American Red Cross is also working to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Tanzania and Russia. Drawing on the success of the Measles Initiative partnership, the American Red Cross and its partners are expanding measles vaccination campaigns to Asia and incorporating malaria-reduction programs with the goal of reducing measles deaths by 90 percent by 2010.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day serves as an annual reminder of the lasting work and commitment of the Red Cross family. Through the motivation and action of its volunteers and donors, the American Red Cross and its partners continue to help those in need – whether around the corner or across the world.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the Myanmar Cyclone and China Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.