Geneva /London (ICRC) – The world's
largest humanitarian network – the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement – will launch a photo exhibition and book entitled Humanity in War to commemorate the Movement's 150th
anniversary.
The exhibition is a photographic record of warfare over the last 150 years.
From the American Civil War to the conflicts of the early twenty-first century, the
photographer has been a constant presence, preserving moments of courage, dignity, defiance and hope amidst pain and suffering.
"This is a significant year for the Red Cross as we celebrate
three important anniversaries, including the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Red Cross Movement," said Sir Nick Young, chief executive of the British Red Cross.
"The Humanity in
War exhibition traces the Red Cross in action during the past 15 decades of armed conflict.
The images represent what the world’s leading humanitarian organisation is all about, which
still holds true 150 years on: hope in the midst of despair." The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was born 150 years ago at the battle of Solferino.
It was there that a
young Swiss businessman, Henry Dunant, did not look away but took action and moved quickly to organize civilians to help thousands of unassisted wounded soldiers.
The campaign celebrates
the enduring importance of Henry Dunant's humanitarian gesture.
"As journalists, one of the tasks of photographers is to reveal the truth affecting the rights of human beings, so that their
images become an element in the process of change," said the ICRC's deputy director of communication, Charlotte Lindsey-Curtet.
"In this way, photography is an important complement to the
responsibility we all share to ensure respect for the principle of humanity in war." In 2009, we are also marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies and the 60th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions, which give protection to the most vulnerable people in times of war.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday 8 July
until Sunday 19 July between 11 a.m.
and 6 p.m.
daily at the Oxo Tower Gallery located in central London.
For further information, please contact: Fiona Campbell, British Red Cross, tel: +44 207 877 7932
Angela Hoyt, ICRC London, tel: +44 7710 733 1348 Notes to editors 1.
The exhibition runs from Wednesday 8 July
until Sunday 19 July between 11am-6pm daily (admission free) at the Oxo Tower Gallery located at: Oxo Tower Wharf Bargehouse Street, South Bank London SE1 9PH 2.
The British Red Cross is a
member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) and 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
3.
The ICRC works in 80 countries around the world and assists roughly 15 million people annually through water,
sanitation and construction projects.
The organisation's biggest operations include Sudan, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, Israel and the occupied and autonomous territories, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Chad and Pakistan.
The ICRC's motto is Inter Arma Caritas (Amidst War, Charity).
4.
The Humanity in War book can be ordered
through the New Internationalist www.newint.org/books or by contacting tel: +44 1709 513999
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