History of movement

The idea for humanity was born on 1859 by the Swiss bussinesman Henry Dunant who witnessed the terror of the battle of Solferino, Italy. He formed the International Committee of Red Cross with four eminent friends in Geneva, Switzerland and registered it with amblem Red Cross on white background (inversion of the Swiss flag). Then the Convention with 10 articles was addopted, and the mission of the movement was proclaimed.

Mission of the Movement:

“To stop or reduce the human suffering where ever it is, protect life and health, provide respect and dignity for the people especially in armed conflicts, accidents and disasters, to work on illness prevention and improving the health and social condition of the people, to encourage voluntary enagegment and continuose prepardness for giving aid and universal sense for solidarity and humanity.”

Today, the Internationa Movement of Red Cross Red Crescent Societes has three main components:

1. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) – main tasks

• Provide aid to victims of armed conflicts
• Evacuation and medical care

1. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) formed in 1919 – main tasks

• Provide aid to victims of disasters
• Care and support for refugees in other countries
• Supporting National Societies in accomplishing program activities regarding disasters
• Coordinating activities of National Societies

1. National Societies – Macedonian Red Cross, with main tasks which are regulated in article 19 of the Law  for the Macedonian Red Cross

• Macedonian Red Cross is established on March 17^th 1945, and as independent National Society acts since May 21^st 1992;
• Macedonian Red Cross is recognized by the The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on November 1^st 1995, and by the The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)  as 169^th member on November 27^th 1995.
•  Supporting National Societies in accomplishing program activities regarding disasters
• Coordinating activities of National Societies