World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is celebrated across the globe on 8 May each year. The date marks the anniversary of the birth of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross, and the occasion offers an opportunity for the members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement to celebrate the power of humanity.

It is also a chance for the different partners in the Movement -- the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the 183 National Societies - to reflect on the humanitarian ideals of protecting human dignity and providing impartial assistance to people in need, wherever they may be. Those ideals are expressed in the good deeds carried out by our tens of millions of volunteers each day. This year, World Red Cross Red Crescent Day is dedicated to these compassionate and dedicated individuals, who are at the heart of our efforts to help vulnerable people everywhere.

	World Red Cross Red Crescent Day pays tribute to volunteers Every year, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement relies on its unique network of more than 90 million volunteers to provide vital assistance and support to over 275 million people worldwide.
	Joint message The 8 May is an opportunity for all people around the world who work for the Red Cross and Red Crescent to take stock. It is also a time to reflect on the continuing, proven relevance and importance of our Fundamental Principles, which bind this vast and diverse network together.
	Web stories Active, brave, compassionate, dedicated, enthusiastic... These are just some of the words that can be used to describe our volunteers. Find out what being a volunteer means to them, in their own words.
	Case studies Volunteers from every National Society play a vital role, working in areas ranging from blood donation to psychosocial support, from search and rescue to distributing aid. These case studies from around the globe exemplify the diverse range of work that they do.
	Photo galleries Our volunteers are humanitarian heroes, who sometimes risk their lives and often make considerable personal sacrifices in order to help others. They deserve the international community’s thanks and recognition for their devotion and tireless efforts. See them in action in our dedicated photo galleries.
	Photo competition View a selection of images submitted by National Societies for a photo competition highlighting the work of our volunteers around the world. The entries were judged on photo and caption. Congratulations to all who took part.