World Red Cross Red Crescent Day Celebrated Around The World – And On The Delmarva Peninsula

Wilmington, DE – May 7, 2007 – When disaster strikes in the most remote corners of the world, the American Red Cross helps to mobilize the generosity of people in America to help the most vulnerable around the corner and around the world. The American Red Cross, as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, helps millions turn their compassion into action.

The American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula will join the more than 750 chapters throughout the U.S. and the 185 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies 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.

Volunteers from your local Red Cross make an impact on people at home, regionally, nationally and overseas by participating in international family tracing, and staffing a Red Cross call center for the victims of major disasters, among other activities.

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. Dunant was later honored by being one of the first recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Today, the Movement comprises more than 97 million members and volunteers and assists more than 233 million people worldwide each year. Although each national society has its unique qualities, each is united by common 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 prepare, prevent, respond to and recover from disasters both natural and man-made.

In 2006, the American Red Cross responded to 23 international disasters, contributing more than $16.1 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 South East Asia 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 in 48 countries against measles. They have 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.

Through the motivation and action of its volunteers and donors, the American Red Cross and its partners worldwide pay tribute to Dunant’s legacy and his remarkable vision in mobilizing the power of humanity to help those in need and to protect human dignity for all.