The Red Cross idea was born in 1859, when Henry Dunant, a young Swiss man, witnessed the aftermath of a bloody battle in Solferino, Italy, between the armies of imperial Austria and the Franco-Sardinian alliance. Some 40,000 men lay dead or dying on the battlefield and the wounded were lacking medical attention. He organised local people to bind the soldiers' wounds and to feed and comfort them. In 1862 he wrote a book called “A Memory of Solferino” that changed war history and treatment of the combatants by calling for the creation of national relief societies to assist those wounded in war.

This became reality in 1863 when five Geneva men, including Dunant, set up the International Committee for Relief to the Wounded, later to become the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Its emblem was a red cross on a white background: the reverse of the Swiss flag. Through their efforts, 12 governments adopted the first of four Geneva Conventions in 1864, which protects the wounded and sick armed forces in the field. Further inclusions to this law, such as protection of shipwrecked armed forces at sea, prisoners of war and civilians followed. These international legal treaties, agreed by 189 countries including Fiji, are the principle instruments of International Humanitarian Law (IHL). IHL is also known as the law of armed conflict or the law of war. It is the body of rules which, in times of conflict, protects persons who are no longer participating in the hostilities.

 
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies uses as its "logo" two globally recognized emblems - the Red Cross and the Red Crescent - set on a white background within a red rectangle. The Federation's member National Societies use one or other of these emblems; either the cross or the crescent.

The Red Cross on a white background was formally adopted in the first Geneva Convention of 1864. The Red Crescent was adopted by the Ottoman empire in 1876 during the war with Russia. It was recognized in the 1929 Geneva Convention along with the red lion and sun of Persia.

Respect for the Emblem is embedded in the Four Geneva Conventions. The Regulations on the use of the Red Cross Emblem ensures that the emblem is not misused but respected.

The emblem serves two purposes; it is "indicative" and it is "protective".

Indicative Use

Mainly in peacetime; shows that a person, vehicle or building is linked to the Movement, either to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation or to a National Society. The emblem shall be accompanied by the name or initials of the National Society.

Protective Use

Mainly in times of war; intended to mark medical and religious personnel and premises, vehicles and materials. They must be protected and respected. The emblem should retain its original form, i.e. nothing shall be added either to the cross, the crescent or the white ground.

The rules on the use of these emblems are defined in international law under the Geneva Conventions of 1949.

Further information about the emblem is available on the website of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The movement incorporates:

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) directs and coordinates the international relief activities conducted by the Movement in situations of conflict. It also endeavours to prevent suffering by promoting and strengthening humanitarian law and universal humanitarian principles. Established in 1863, the ICRC is the founding body of the Movement.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement website

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded in 1919. The Federation directs and coordinates international assistance of the Movement to victims of natural and technological disasters, to refugees and in health emergencies. It promotes cooperation between National Societies and works to strengthen their capacity to carry out effective disaster preparedness, health and social programmes.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement website

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

The Fiji Red Cross, together with 181 other National Societies, embody the work and principles of the Movement within their own countries. There can only be one Red Cross or Red Crescent Society in each country. They act as auxiliaries to their public authorities in the humanitarian field and provide a range of services including disaster relief, health and social programmes. During wartime, National Societies assist the affected civilian population and support the army medical services where appropriate.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement website

The four Geneva Conventions are international legal treaties agreed by 189 countries including Fiji. The Conventions and their Additional Protocols are the principle instruments of International Humanitarian Law, effective in times of armed conflict, whose purpose is to protect:

Basic humanitarian rules must be observed by all combatants. These are:

1. All civilians, particularly women, children and the elderly, must be protected
2. It is forbidden to attack persons, vehicles and installations which are protected by the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems which are “reserved” for;
   - the wounded and sick, and those who care for them
   - hospitals and ambulances
   - Red Cross and Red Crescent officials, their transportation and relief items
3. It is forbidden to attack or mistreat;
   - a wounded member of the opposing force
   - a member of an opposing force who is captured or surrenders
4. Prisoners must be treated humanely at all times;
   - it is forbidden to kill, torture or mistreat prisoners
   - wounded or sick prisoners must receive medical treatment