RECENTLY, the Guyana Red Cross Society celebrated the 70th anniversary of its establishment in Guyana.  Up to a generation ago, Guyanese were well informed of the history of the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and young people felt it an honour to be associated with the Red Cross and its work.

In the 19th century, Europe continued fighting its civil wars which became bloodier than previous centuries.  Swords and bayonets were still more used than firearms and when the opposing armies had a lull in their fighting at nightfall, thousands of dead, dying and injured soldiers were left on the battlefield with little or no medical help.

In 1859, the Italians were involved in driving Austria, the colonial power out of Italy and France was lending its support.  Henri Dunant, a Swiss businessman whose business interests in Algeria were not doing very well, decided to visit Italy to meet French Empero, Napoleon III, to discuss his business interests.

On his arrival, the battle of Solferino was taking place and after 16 hours of fighting, the armies withdrew for the night, leaving 40,000 dead, dying and injured soldiers on the battlefield.  Henri Dunant heard the groans and screams of the injured, and moved with great compassion, and with the help of the neighbouring villagers, he was able to save the lives of many soldiers.

Dunant returned to Switzerland, published his experiences of Solferino, and got together a small group who called themselves “The International Committee for the relief of the wounded” who pledged themselves to help those wounded in battle irrespective of nationality, religion or country.  Out of Dunant’s vision and initial work, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies grew.  The emblem used was the inverted flag of Switzerland (Dunant’s home country) and Turkey: the red background of both flags became white and the white cross and crescent in the respective flags became red.  The Red Cross and Red Crescent of the Society’s emblem should therefore not be mistaken for religious symbols.

After World War II, the numbers of national Red Cross Societies greatly multiplied with the emergence of new nations freed from colonialism.  Today, all nations in the world have Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies and their work has moved away from dealing with the effects of war to civilian disasters and suffering of all kinds.

The Guyana Red Cross Society, from its establishment in 1948, caught the public’s imagination and goodwill from the number of its humanitarian activities and its fundamental principles which all societies share.  These seven principles are: HUMANITY – in its national and international capacities, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found;  IMPARTIALITY – in relieving suffering, it makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions;  NEUTRALITY – the Movement does not take sides in hostilities or engage in controversies of a political, religious, racial or ideological nature; INDEPENDENCE – the Societies must always be able to maintain their autonomy so as to act according to the Principles of the Movement;  VOLUNTARY SERVICE – a purely voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain;  UNITY – there could be only one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in any one country which must be open to all and must carry out its humanitarian work throughout its territory;  UNIVERSALITY – all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other worldwide.

The Mission Statement of the Guyana Red Cross Society is “To improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the Power of Humanity” and their various programmes and activities manifest their Mission in good measure:
The First Aid training programmes and administering First Aid when there are crowds or large congregations of people is a core activity of the Society.  Over 1000 per year are trained in First Aid and more than 1000 casualties are treated.  In addition, over 200 persons per year are trained in various aspects of Health Education.
The Meals on Wheels programme is highly appreciated.

Over 9000 mid-day meals are distributed annually, some delivered directly to individuals and some are consumed on site.
From the time blood transfusion became a normal medical procedure in Guyana, The Red Cross pioneered voluntary blood donations.  It works with other national bodies involved in blood donations and its own Club 25 encourages voluntary donations from young people.
The Red Cross Youth (RCY) has been involved in taking gifts to children and it has two Senior Citizens groups who plan their own activities, including their Christmas Party.

The Society also runs a Children Convalescent Home with between 20 to 30 residents.  In addition to taking in children who have been abandoned or victims of acute socio-economic constraints, it tries to reintegrate children in their families and helps in the fostering and adoption processes.

In his message to mark World Red Cross Day 2018 and the 70th Anniversary of the Guyana Red Cross Society, President David Granger was high in his praise for the Guyana Red Cross Society and its parent organization and acknowledged the selfless sacrifice of Red Cross workers: “It assures victims of conflict, disaster and epidemic disease that there are persons willing to risk their lives . . . the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and our own Guyana Red Cross Society could not have succeeded without the selfless service of volunteers and the generous support of individuals, organizations and corporations”.