Red Cross founder remembered in An Post International Humanitarians stamp collection

Mr. Declan OSullivan, Acting Secretary General, said that the Irish Red Cross commended An Post for recognising the key role of individuals and organisations dedicated to humanitarian organisations.

"We believe that it is a great honour to have the founder of the Red Cross, Henry Dunant remembered and honoured in this special International Humanitarians collection. Henry, who was the first-ever winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, is depicted on the stamp along with images of the historic Battle of Solferino and Red Cross symbol," he said.

Mr. Dunant, horrified by the anguished cries of the war-wounded left to suffer and die on the battlefield, many of whom pleaded for the coup de grace, organised help from the nearest village, Solferino. The wounded from both sides were ferried to makeshift hospitals in people's homes and barns.

Henry returned to Geneva where he penned his account of the battle in: 'A Memory of Solferino', urging people to set-up voluntary relief societies to deal with the hardship of war. His book led to the foundation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by Dunant and four Geneva businessmen in 1863.

The following year, the first Geneva Convention for the alleviation of the conditions of the wounded in armies in the field was adopted, together with the Emblem of the Red Cross on a white background.
The principles and aims of the International Committee of the Red Cross continue to be replicated in national societies around the world such as the Irish Red Cross with members trained in First Aid and emergency care.

The Red Cross Movement, with 97 million members worldwide, is the largest humanitarian aid organisation in the world today. The Irish Red Cross Society was established by an Act of the Oireachtas on 1 August 1939. Today there are over 6,000 Irish Red Cross volunteers working alongside 140 local branches within the Republic of Ireland who give up their time freely each week to reach out to vulnerable members of their community.

Notes to the Editor

1. Interviews with Irish Red Cross spokespersons and/or volunteers can be arranged.
2. The 55c stamp can be viewed and purchased online at www.irishstamps.ie and at all main post offices.
3. The Henry Dunant stamp is one of a pair celebrating International Humanitarians, the other being Blessed Mother Theresa of Calcutta.
4. Both stamps were designed in the se-tenant style by Irish designer, Ms. Ger Garland, and share a common background with the two principals in the foreground.

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