Every year, May 8 marks World Red Cross Day to commemorate the more than 150 years of humanitarian actions by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world.
Did you know the World Red Cross Day falls on May 8 to honour the birthday of
Henry Dunant, the Swiss founder of the Red Cross?
Today we honour the work done worldwide by 17 million Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers to assist the most vulnerable in their communities and beyond.
Did You Know?
The Canadian Red Cross:
- is one of 189 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies guided by seven fundamental principals: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, universality. These principles were adopted 50 years ago. Learn more about these principles and how they apply today.
- helps in many emergencies and disasters in Canada including floods, hurricanes and house fires.
- assists millions of people around the world every year, in partnership with other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, during health emergencies such as the Ebola outbreak, natural disasters, and in countries affected by conflict such as Syria.
- contributes to improving the health outcomes for mothers, newborns and children in 24 countries, reaching 13 million people.
- delivers community health services in Canada, such as loans of health equipment, meals on wheels and programs for seniors.
- offers training in First Aid and CPR for home, work or to become an instructor.
- provides many prevention and safety programs such as swimming lessons, water and boating safety tips and resources, violence, bullying and abuse prevention for youth, parents, educators as well as in the workplace.
- offers programs and training for migrants and refugees, including a program for finding family members separated by conflict (Restoring Family Links).