Henry Dunant medals awarded
11 November 2001

Two people have been awarded the Henry Dunant Medal for humanitarian service, at a ceremony held in Geneva on 11 November 2001. The recipients of the medal, which bears the name of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement's founder, are:

Roger Durand, Founder and president of the Henry Dunant Society and former Vice-president of the Geneva Red Cross

Madame Phlech Phiroun, President of the Cambodian Red Cross

The Medals were awarded at a meeting of the Council of Delegates, which is composed of representatives from the 178 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Medal is awarded every two years to acknowledge and reward outstanding service and acts of great devotion by a member of the Movement to the Red Cross and Red Crescent cause. The criteria for receiving the Medal include incurring risks on behalf of others which endanger life, health and personal freedom. The Medal may also be awarded for a long period of service devoted to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

The Henry Dunant Medal is a red cross embossed with the profile of the Movement's founder, attached to a green ribbon. It is the Movement's highest distinction.

PROFILES OF THE RECIPIENTS

Roger Durand

Fascinated by the life of Henry Dunant, and like him a citizen of Geneva, Mr Roger Durand has devoted himself to spreading Dunant's message of universal brotherhood and making the origins, principles and activities of the Movement better known. In parallel with his life as a teacher of History and French in Geneva, Mr Durand has carried out extensive research into the life and work of Henry Dunant and the early years of the Red Cross. He is the editor of more than 50 academic papers and editor of several books on Henry Dunant, and is currently editing his complete works.In 1975, Mr Durand founded the Henry Dunant Society, and continues to preside over the Society to this day. Through his enthusiasm and academic rigour, and through the work of the Society, Mr Durand has been able to revive interest in Henry Dunant's life and in the early history of the Movement.

Mr Durand also participated in the work of the Geneva Red Cross from 1987 to 1999, serving on the Finance Committee and as Vice-President. From 1983 to 1986, he was a member of the Academic Committee for the establishment of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, and in 1990 he was instrumental in designing and promoting a 'Red Cross Walking tour' through Geneva entitled In the steps of Henry Dunant. In 2000, he founded the association Genève: un lieu pour la Paix and is playing key role in organising numerous events, exhibitions and lectures to commemorate the centenary in 2001 of the awarding of the first Nobel Peace Prize to Henry Dunant and Frédéric Passy.

Phlech Phiroun

Madame Phlech Phiroun, a qualified social worker, played an active leadership role in the Cambodian Red Cross from the early 1960's, assuming the Vice-Presidency in 1967 and the Presidency in 1973; by then, Cambodia was already in the midst of civil war.

In March 1975, with the political situation worsening, Madame Phiroun decided to stay in Phnom Penh in order to continue her duties as President of the Cambodian Red Cross. However in April, when the Khmer Rouge entered the capital city, the Red Cross premises were ransacked and all activities were ceased, Madame Phiroun had to flee into the countryside along with all the city's inhabitants.

In 1979, after the overthrow of the Khmer Rouge and the People's Republic of Kampuchea was proclaimed, it became apparent that Madame Phiroun was the only member of the Red Cross to have survived the Khmer Rouge period. Gradually, the Red Cross of Kampuchea rebuilt its headquarters and once again began to provide services to the population. Madame Phiroun remained in her country and worked unceasingly for the Red Cross. On reassuming the leadership of the Red Cross of Kampuchea, Madame Phiroun made a significant contribution to re-creating an active National Society, despite the difficult political situation within Cambodia. There can be no doubt that her personality and her exceptional commitment ensured the rebirth of the National Society in Cambodia.

Loved and respected by the Cambodian people, with her pleasant manner, her humour and grace, her open-minded attitude and her spirit of co-operation, it is no wonder that Madame Phlech Phiroun is sometimes described as the symbol of humanitarian action in Cambodia..

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Federation:

Denis McClean, Head, Media Service Tel.: +41 22 7304428/+41 79 2173357
Eva Calvo, Information Officer Tel.: +41 22 730 4357/ + 41 79 2173372

ICRC:

Kim Gordon-Bates, Press Office Tel: +41 22 730 2550/ +41 79 217 32 16

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.