WILMINGTON, DE– May 8, 2006 – Last year, the world witnessed some of the most powerful natural disasters in recent history. At the same time, people mobilized in unprecedented numbers to deliver support and vital assistance during these dark days.

Today, May 8, 2006, the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula will join with 183 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the globe in recognition of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day, celebrating the commitment and impact of millions of volunteers who work tirelessly to alleviate human suffering.

The spirit of volunteerism is the essence of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement where individuals sacrifice time, money and blood in order to save lives and bring comfort to those in need. Over the past year, volunteers from the American Red Cross responded to an array of disasters— including house fires, tornados, wildfires and the unforgettable series of hurricanes. Overseas, staff and volunteers from the American Red Cross helped to provide millions of measles vaccinations, delivered relief to thousands of survivors of the South Asian earthquake, and continued to help communities recover from the tsunami in the Indian Ocean. Each day, volunteers from the American Red Cross worked to disseminate essential information on international humanitarian law and to reunite individuals through family linking programs.

Volunteers from the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula made an impact on people at home and overseas by providing disaster relief for those hit by disasters, facilitating emergency communications between military families and their loved ones stationed away from home, training individuals and businesses in life-saving skills such as CPR and First Aid, participating in international family tracing, fundraising for international programs and many other ways.

May 8 marks the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Motivated by the atrocities he witnessed during the Battle of Solferino, in 1859, Dunant, a Swiss citizen, began advocating for the humane treatment of the sick and wounded during wartime. By 1863, Dunant had created the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The first World Red Cross Day was celebrated in 1948.

Today, the Movement is comprised of more than 97 million members and volunteers, and assists more than 277 million people worldwide. Although each national society has its unique qualities; each is also united by common principles and the goal of improving the lives of vulnerable people. Together with its Movement partners, the American Red Cross is working to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Nigeria, Tanzania and Russia. The American Red Cross is also supporting the Movement’s efforts to address the food crisis in Africa. Drawing on the success of the Measles Initiative partnership over the past five years, the American Red Cross and its partners are expanding measles vaccination campaigns to Asia, for instance in Bangladesh and Indonesia. At the same time, the American Red Cross is taking a comprehensive approach to prevent other diseases by distributing insecticide-treated bed nets and vitamin A.

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