HISTORY OF RED CROSS

 It al started with a Group Members, led by the

Humanist, HENRY DUNANT (1828 – 1910)
 They raised resources & helped the war victims
of SOLFERINO in 1859
 He propounded the concept of ‘NATIONAL
RELIEF SOCIETIES’ in his writing ‘A
Memory of Solferino’ (trained volunteers come
to the rescue of victims at the time of war and
peace)
 HISTORY OF RED CROSS
 HENRY DUNANT established the ICRC with
Geneva as its HQs
 Formulated the Rules of Responsibilities for the
Service Providers and of the Procedures of
Services (thus came into being the REDCROSS
in October, 1863)
 Red Cross had not been confined to One State or
Region but spread as a International movement
(So many responsible)
 Red Cross won Nobel Prizes in 1901, 1917, 1944,
1963
 SYMBOL & PRINCIPLES OF RED CROSS
 The Symbol of Red Cross was adopted in 1864
Geneva Convention
 It is RED CROSS against a white background
(a reversal of the Swiss National Flag) - This is
universal
 In Islamic countries it is RED CRESCENT and
in some others it is RED CRYSTAL
 The symbol represents Protection to the
Injured, Saviour of Lives in armed conflicts
 SYMBOL & PRINCIPLES OF RED CROSS
 The Symbol inculcates a sense of Respect to the Red
Cross Volunteers doing service in war zones (this can
be doubly ensured by creating awareness during peace
times)
 By convention NONE shall interfere with the service
being rendered by Red Cross Volunteers in battle field
 The Symbol in ALL TIMES represent the 6 Principles
of Humanity, Impartiality, Neutrality, Independence,
Voluntary Service, Unity & Universality (H U2 I2 N V)
 RED CROSS MOTTO “WITH HUMANITY TOWARDS
PEACE”
 COMPONENTS OF RED CROSS MOVEMENT

 ICRC (International Committee of Red Cross): Helps in

devising programs and implementing them to help war
victims including war prisoners, undertaking Tracing
Activities, , Providing food to victims during wars and peace
times
 IFRC International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent
Societies): A Network of National Societies and it guides and
helps the nations in their relief operations. It helps nations to
tackle issues of health, water, sanitation, housing food etc ;
coordinates with nations in disaster warnings and disaster
and conflict reducing activities, discrimination elimination
activities etc. It also promotes human brotherhood and
human values
COMPONENTS OF RED CROSS MOVEMENT

 National Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies:

In respective countries these Societies work
in unison with the Governments and as
Auxiliaries to them in humanitarian activities.
In collaboration with ICRS & IFRC, the
National Red Cross Societies promote
International Human Justice, Principles and
Noble values of Red Cross & Red Crescent
movement
 INDIAN RED CROSS SOCIETY
 Established through a Central Act XV 1920
with New Delhi as HQs
 Every State & Every District have a RED
CROSS SOCIETY; so too Local Branches
(upto Mandal level)
 These Red Cross Societies have ex-officio
Presidents & elected Managing Committees
with Chairmen & Treasurers. Secretaries are
paid / voluntary appointees
 MAIN ACTIVITIES OF INDIAN RED CROSS
 Helping the Victims during natural disasters like
Cyclones, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Floods ,
Epidemics, Famine & Drought etc and Man made
disasters like Fire accidents, Factory tragedies, Road
accidents, Building collapses etc
 Helping war and other violence victims during
conflicts and peace times
 Voluntary blood Collection and providing processed
blood to the needy through Red Cross Blood Banks
 Tracing of missing persons during disasters and
wars/violence
 MAIN ACTIVITIES OF INDIAN RED CROSS

 Conducting Membership Drive (Patrons, Vice-Patrons, Life

Members, Life Associates, Institutional Members etc)
 Organizing Junior Red Cross Groups (in Schools) and Youth
Red Cross Groups (in Colleges) as part of Nation Building
Activity– Why students? (Motto is “ I SERVE”)
 Organizing Sub- branches at the levels of Districts,
Taluks/Mandals
 Observing Important Days like Youth Day, World Water Day,
World Health Day, World red Cross & Cresent Days, World
Environment Day, World Blood Donor Day, International
Yoga Day, Global hand washing Day, International Volunteers
Day etc
 MAIN ACTIVITIES OF INDIAN RED CROSS
 Health Initiatives / Health Interventions:
• Conducting Awareness Progrmmes on Health & Hygiene,
Sanitation etc
• Conducting Trainings to Youth in Disaster Management & First
Aid
• Running Maternity & Child welfare centres in needy and
remote areas
• Providing Medical help to terminally ill patients of Cancer,
HIV AIDS, Thalassemia, Haemophilia, Sickle Cell Anemia etc
 Community Service Activities for Differently- abled persons,
Leprosy patients etc
 Conducting Medical camps in poorer localities
 Running Medicine banks like Jana Aushadi stores etc
 THE PROGRESS OF THE NATIONS

 The day will come when the progress of nations will be

judged not by their military or economic strength, nor by
the splendour of their capital cities and public buildings,
but by the well-being of their peoples: by their levels of
health, nutrition and education; by their opportunities to
earn a fair reward for their labours; by their ability to
participate in the decisions that affect their lives; by the
respect that is shown for their civil and political liberties;
by the provision that is made for those who are vulnerable
and disadvantaged; and by the protection that is afforded
to the growing minds and bodies of their children.
 A.P. STATE BRANCH OF INDIAN RED CROSS
SOCIETY

AP State branch of IRCS came into existence in 1956.

After its bifurcation from Telangana, it is re-established
on 15-11-2014 and it has 13 District Branches
Sarvasri. ESL Narasimhan, Hon’ble governor is the
President, Justice Dr.A. Lakshman Rao, is the Vice-
President, Mrs. Rachel Chaterjee, IAS (retd) is Hon.
Chairman & Sri.S.Balasubramanyam, IAS (retd) is the
General Secretary
All activities undertaken at National level are also taken
up at AP State branch level
 A.P. STATE BRANCH OF INDIAN RED
CROSS SOCIETY
Institutions run by different Districts :
Blood Banks – Whole Blood (18);
Component Processing Units: (8);
Health Centres : (5);
Orphanages : at Srikakulam & Guntur
Old age homes: at Srikakulam & Kakinada
School for differently abled: at Kakinada
School for Mentally retarded: at Nellore
Physiotherapy centre: at Srikakulam
Yoga centres : at Kakinada & Vizianagaram
Cancer Hospital: at Nellore
Cornea Collection Centres : at Srikakulam, WG, & Kurnool
FA Trg centres: at Srikakulam & Kakinada
Water purification centre: at Srikakulam
Generic Medical centres: at Srikakulam & Nellore
Ambulance services (in many districts)
 CHITTOOR DISTRICT BRANCH OF INDIAN RED
CROSS SOCIETY

 Shri. PS Pradyumna, IAS is the President,

Dr.V.Sundara Naidu is the Hon. Chairman
 The Chittoor branch is established in 1948
 Total number of YRC groups are 40, JRCs are 3 ;
total membership is 3036 (Life members are 2144)
 One Blood Bank at Chittoor (whole blood processing
unit) and its average blood collection is 1400 units
per annum (being increased to 3000 units)
 Presently situated in the campus of District HQs
Hospital, Chittoor; New Building is in the offing.
THANK YOU
PRESENTATION BY
N.S. RAVI
DISTRICT SECRETARY,
IRCS, DISTRICT BRANCH,
CHITTOOR-AP