Notable people in the history of the Red Cross and Red Crescent

From the Committee of Five, that became the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the 1860s, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been led by men and women of vision and integrity. They brought to the Movement experience gained in varied professional lives.

There have been 13 presidents of the ICRC starting with Henri Dufour in 1863-64. The current president, Jakob Kellenberger took up the post at the beginning of this year. Traditionally, the ICRC presisident is a Swiss national.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (the Federation), founded in 1919 under the name "League of Red Cross Societies", has had 13 chairmen since Henry Davidson, an American, in 1919-22. The Federation's current head is Juan Manuel Suárez del Toro Rivero from Spain, elected in November 2001.

The Standing Commission, elected by the International Conference, comprises members of National Societies and representatives of the ICRC and the Federation. A principal function is to prepare for the International Conference and the Council of Delegates.

There have been 10 chairmen of the commission since Pierre Nolf, a Belgian, in 1928-34. Great names in their ranks have included Sweden's Count Folke Bernadotte (1946-48) and Britain's Countess of Limerick (1965-73). The current chairman is Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, re-elected for a second term during the 27th International Conference.

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