The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) hosted a joint celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Solferino on June 25th 2009.
The Trinidad and Tobago Red Cross Society opened its doors to the public who were invited to visit the TTRCS headquarters to take advantage of free services including blood pressure testing, cholesterol testing and glucose testing. Members of the public were also able to visit the information booths and learn more about the work of the Red Cross nationally, regionally and internationally.
A reception was held for volunteers and donors during which long standing volunteers were recognised for their service and dedication to the Red Cross. Guests were treated to performances by the differently abled students of Goodwill Industries, a reenactment of the Battle of Solferino performed by the students of La Horquetta South Government Primary School who are members of the Red Cross Youth Link and an emergency simulation exercise carried out by the Northern Branch Red Cross volunteers.
It has been 150 years since the birth of the idea that led to the creation of the Red Cross Movement - the idea that one person can make a difference and that one Movement can indeed change the world. This idea dates back to 1859 when Henri Dunant, a Swiss citizen was travelling to meet Napoleon III on personal business at the time when Franco-Sardinian forces were clashing with Austrian troops near the town of Solferino, in northern Italy, during the war of Italian unification. Over 9000 wounded took refuge in a nearby church, but Henri Dunant was shocked to see thousands more injured persons lying in the field without any care. Dunant mobilised local women and together they worked for several days and nights providing relief to the most needy. Dunant returned to Geneva sometime after where he wrote his Memoirs of Solferino which contained the idea that spawned the Red Cross Movement.
Since then the Red Cross Movement has been guided by the 7 fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
It’s our world. What’s your move?
|
 |
| Tanya Wood Head of Office brings greetings from the IFRC |
| Related
link: |
| - |
T&T Red Cross |
 |
| IFRC staffers interact with colleagues of the ICRC |
 |
| A graphic scene from the emergency simulation exercise |
|
|
back