Reading time 5 minuten
160 years of Tutti Fratelli
On 26 October next, it will be 160 years since the founding of the Red Cross. But what preceded it? Here you can read more about founder Henry Dunant. A story of pain, hope and the birth of the International Red Cross Committee.
If only there were an organisation that could provide aid in wars and disasters. A permanent aid organisation of volunteers. These hopes of Henry Dunant become a reality on 26 October 1863.
How it started
In 1859, Swiss businessman Jean Henry Dunant travels to Solferino, a village south of Italy's Lake Garda. There he intends to hand over a book he wrote to Napoleon III. During his journey, he passes a battlefield where tens of thousands of soldiers lie groaning in pain, unaided. Inhuman, Henry Dunant thinks. He breaks off his journey to assist the soldiers. He mobilises locals and sets up aid stations to care for the wounded. Everyone helps everyone. It does not matter whether you are friend or foe. "Tutti fratelli," Dunant keeps saying. "We are all brothers.”
A memory of Solferino
After his experiences in Solferino, a plan starts developing in the mind of Henry Dunant. The desire to set up an aid organisation to assist in wars and disaster aid grows. Where the motto Tutti Fratelli comes first.
Dunant describes his idea in the book 'Un Souvenir de Solferino', a memory of Solferino. This book contains his experiences on the Solferino battlefield, as well as suggestions on how to ensure assistance to war victims. He takes this book to heads of state he meets at an international meeting in Geneva. During his lobbying, he receives support from Johan Basting, a Dutch military doctor, among others.
Basting and Dunant elaborate the idea further. Together, they formulate the guiding principles of the Red Cross. According to the men, the concept of neutrality is vital. This makes it one of the first fundamental principles. Neutrality ensures that, as an aid worker, you can do your job properly on the battlefield. You take care of everyone, no matter which side you are on.
International Committee
With four others, Henry Dunant founds the International Red Cross Committee (ICRC) in 1863. He insists that his proposals must be enshrined in an international treaty. Like the idea of protecting aid workers with a symbol. A red cross. A few months later, 16 European countries meet in Geneva. Dunant's proposals are approved and the neutral aid agency is established. A red cross on a white surface becomes the international symbol. The agreements are enshrined in the first Geneva Convention in 1864. In the following years, Red Cross branches are established in more and more countries. Also in the Netherlands.
Next time you can read the story about the founding of the Netherlands Red Cross.