BASIC FIRST AID

TRAINING

BASIC FIRST AID TRAINING

 Introduction- History of Red Cross &
Ethiopian Red Cross
1. History of Red Cross

The creation of the Red Cross was spurred by the publication of Un Souvenir de Solférino (1862), an account by
Jean Henri Dunant of the suffering endured by the wounded at the battle of Solferino in 1859. Dunant, a Swiss
citizen, urged the formation of voluntary aid societies for relief of such war victims. He also asked that service
to military sick and wounded be neutral.
A Swiss welfare agency, actively seconded Dunant's suggestion, the result being the formation (1863) of the
organization that became known as the Red Cross. The next year, delegates from 16 nations met in
Switzerland, and the Geneva Convention of 1864 for the Amelioration of the Condition of the Wounded and
Sick of Armies in the Field was adopted and signed by 12 of the nations represented. It provided for the
neutrality of the medical personnel of armed forces, the humane treatment of the wounded, the neutrality of
civilians who voluntarily assisted them, and the use of an international emblem to mark medical personnel
and supplies. In honor of Dunant's nationality, a red cross on a white background—the Swiss flag with colors
reversed—was chosen as this symbol.
 Introduction- History of Red Cross &
Ethiopian Red Cross
The original Geneva Convention, its subsequent revisions, and allied treaties such as
the Hague Convention for naval forces and the Prisoner of War Convention have
been signed (although not always ratified) by almost all countries and their
dependencies. The International Committee of the Red Cross was awarded the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1917, 1944, and, with the League of Red Cross Societies, in 1963.
The Red Crescent, which was first used by the Ottoman Empire in 1876, was formally
recognized by the League of Red Cross Societies in 1929. Iran used the Red Lion and
Sun, formally recognized in 1949, until 1980. The adoption of the Red Crystal symbol
in 2005 (effective in 2007), although occurring primarily as a means to provide an
emblem under which Israel's Magen David Adom could become a full member (2006)
of the international movement, also established a neutral emblem that could be used
by any national society that preferred to avoid using the Christian cross or Islamic
crescent.
 Introduction- History of Red Cross &
Ethiopian Red Cross
The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) was established by government decree on
8 July 1935, in the aftermath of the second Ethio-Italian war (1935-1941). Within a
few months of its establishment, the ERCS began its involvement in humanitarian
services by training and deploying 300 first aiders and 6 ambulances to various war
fronts to care for the wounded. Despite carrying a protective emblem, many of the
Red Cross camps and ambulances were attacked by the Italian forces which caused
international outrage. The ERCS is an independent organization established and
recognized by law. It is constituted through a national charter, which was last
revised and adopted by the Parliament in 1999. It is not a governmental
organization but plays an auxiliary role to the government. This means that the
ERCS provides support and plays a supplementary role to the government’s
humanitarian efforts in alleviating the vulnerability of the people.
 Introduction- History of Red Cross &
Ethiopian Red Cross
In other words, the ERCS tries to fill in the gap where the government has
limited capacity. The President of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia is the Patron
of the national society. As a member of the International Red Cross and Red
Crescent Movement, it benefits from partnerships at national and
international level through mobilization of resources.
The ERCS is governed by its President, Vice-President and 551 other board
members. Its National Headquarter is situated in Addis Ababa where the
Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-Generals, Program Directors, Heads of
Departments, Program Coordinators and other support staff members plan,
manage and execute the policies and decisions made by the governing board.
Introduction- History of Red Cross & Ethiopian Red
Cross

1859 ( War between France and Italy Against Austria)

Solferino
 Henry Dunant
1862 “The memory of solferino”
 SWITZERLAND
1863
1864
Introduction- History of Red Cross & Ethiopian Red Cross
 The 1st Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the condition of the Wounded and Sick in
Armed Forces in the Field was adopted in 1864
 The 2nd Geneva Convention for the Amelioration of the condition of Wounded, Sick and
Shipwrecked Members of Armed Forces at Sea was adopted in 1906
The 3rd Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War was adopted in 1929
 The 4th Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in time of War was
adopted in1949
 The Three Additional Protocol
I. Protocol ( 1977 ) relating to the Protection of Victims of International Armed Conflicts
II. Protocol ( 1977 ) relating to the Protection of Victims of Non -International Armed Conflicts
III. Protocol ( 2005 ) relating to the Adoption of an Additional Distinctive Emblem.
International Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement

ICRC
ICRC
(1863)
(1863)

International
International FEDERATION
FEDERATION
NS
NS
RC/RC
RC/RC RC/RC
RC/RC
RC/RC
RC/RC Conference
Conference (1919)
(1919)

STATES
STATES
Emblem of the movement
 Fundamental Principles
They are Seven
1. Humanity
2. Impartiality
3. Neutrality
4. Independence
5. Voluntary Service
6. UNITY
7. Universality
 Humanity
• The international Red Cross and Red
Crescent movement , born of a desire to
bring assistance with out discrimination
to the wounded on the battlefield,
endeavors, in its international and nation
capacity, to prevent and alleviate human
suffering wherever it may be found. Its
purpose is to protect life and health and to
ensure respect for human being. It
promotes mutual understanding,
friendship, cooperation and lasting peace
among all peoples.
 IMPARTIALITY
• It makes no discrimination as to
nationality, race, religious belief, class or
political opinions. It endeavors to relieve
the suffering of individuals, being guided
solely by their needs, and to give priority
to the most urgent cases of distress.
 NEUTRALITY
• In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of
all, the movement may not take sides in
hostilities or engage at any time in
controversies of a political, racial, religious or
ideological nature.
INDEPENDENCE
• The movement is independent. The
natural societies, while auxiliaries in the
humanitarian services of their
governments and subject to the laws of
their respective countries, must always
their autonomy so that they may be able
to all times to act in accordance with the
principles of the movement.
Voluntary service
It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in
any manner by desire for gain.
UNITY
• There can be only one Red Cross or one
Red Crescent Society in any one country.
It must be open to all. It must carry on its
humanitarian work throughout its
territory.
UNIVERSALITY
The international Red Cross and Red Crescent
Movement, in which all societies have equal
status and share equal responsibilities and
duties in helping each other, is worldwide.
 Historical Establishment Of
Ethiopian Red Cross Society
1935 The first Establishment of ERCS.
48th from the World & 1st from Africa.
Reestablished by Charter in 1940.
1941 ERCS opened the 1st Nursing School in Ethiopia.
1944 Started Free Ambulance Service.
The three Core Program Of ERCS
Disaster Preparedness and Response Program
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Program
Promotion of Fundamental Principles and IHL
TOPIC 1: FIRST AID