📅 May 8, 2025, Post 4: Red Cross Day: Keeping Humanity Alive: Honouring the Red Cross Spirit | Mains Essay / Target IAS-26 MCQs Attached: A complete Package, Dear Aspirants!
Keeping Humanity Alive: Honouring the Red Cross Spirit
NEWS DROP — PETAL 004
🗓️ Date: May 8, 2025
🚑 Thematic Focus: Global Days | Humanitarian Work | Ethics in Action
🌿 Intro Whisper:
In a world torn by war and disaster, some hands still reach out—not to strike, but to save.
🔍 Key Highlights:
- What’s in News:
Every year on May 8, the world observes World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant (1828–1910) — the founder of the movement and the first Nobel Peace Prize recipient.
❤️ Origin of the Red Cross Movement:
- Dunant was deeply moved by the Battle of Solferino (1859) between France and Austria, where 40,000 soldiers lay wounded.
- He organized civilian help and wrote the book “A Memory of Solferino”, which inspired the creation of a neutral humanitarian organization.
- In 1863, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded.
- Today, it is the world’s largest humanitarian network, present in 191 countries, backed by over 16 million volunteers.
🌍 World Red Cross Day 2025 Theme:
“Keeping Humanity Alive”
– A tribute to frontline volunteers
– A call to preserve human dignity during war, disaster, and displacement
– Celebrating compassion without borders
📘 GS Paper Mapping:
- GS Paper 2: Role of NGOs, international institutions, ethics in governance
- Essay: “Humanity in Uniform: The Red Cross and the Universal Language of Compassion”
🌠 Closing Thought:
Not every hero wears armor. Some wear a red cross on white—symbols of a quieter courage that keeps the soul of humanity breathing.
Target IAS-26: Daily MCQs :
📌 Prelims Practice MCQs
Topic:
MCQ 1: Type-1 — “How many of the above statements are correct?”
Consider the following statements regarding World Red Cross Day and its origin:
1. World Red Cross Day is celebrated on May 8 every year to mark the birth anniversary of Henry Dunant.
2. Henry Dunant was awarded the first Nobel Peace Prize for founding the Red Cross Movement.
3. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was founded in 1948 after World War II.
4. The 2025 theme of World Red Cross Day is “Keeping Humanity Alive.”
A) Only one
B) Only two
C) Only three
D) All four
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: C) Only three
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – World Red Cross Day is observed on May 8 to honor Henry Dunant’s birth.
2) Correct – He was the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
3) Incorrect – The Red Cross Movement was founded in 1863, not 1948.
4) Correct – The theme for 2025 is “Keeping Humanity Alive.”
MCQ 2: Type-2 — Two-Statement Assertion
Consider the following statements:
1. Henry Dunant’s humanitarian work was inspired by the aftermath of the Battle of Solferino.
2. The International Red Cross operates in fewer than 100 countries due to political neutrality challenges.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) Only 1 is correct
B) Only 2 is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: A) Only 1 is correct
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – Dunant was inspired by the suffering he witnessed at Solferino in 1859. 2) Incorrect – The Movement operates in over 191 countries, making it the largest humanitarian network.
MCQ 3: Type-3 — “Which of the above statements is/are correct?”
Consider the following statements about the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement:
1. The organization is guided by principles like neutrality, impartiality, and humanitarianism.
2. It provides emergency response, health services, and support in war zones.
3. It was founded by Henry Dunant and his brother after World War I.
4. It is supported by over 16 million volunteers worldwide.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 4 only
B) 2, 3 and 4 only
C) 1 and 4 only
D) All four
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: A) 1, 2 and 4 only
🧠 Explanation:
1) Correct – These are core principles of the Red Cross Movement.
2) Correct – Humanitarian aid in crises is its primary mission.
3) Incorrect – It was founded by Henry Dunant alone, in 1863, not after World War I.
4) Correct – Over 16 million volunteers support its efforts.
MCQ 4: Type-4 — Direct Factual Question
Who was the founder of the International Red Cross Movement?
A) Albert Schweitzer
B) Jean Monnet
C) Henry Dunant
D) Dag Hammarskjöld
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Henry Dunant
🧠 Explanation:
C) Henry Dunant founded the Red Cross in 1863 and was the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
