Henry Dunant, the first recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, was deeply moved by the suffering he witnessed during the Second Italian War of Independence in 1859. While passing through Solferino, Italy, Dunant saw the horrors of war and the lack of adequate care for the wounded. In 1862, he published A Memory of Solferino, a book that not only described the dire conditions but also proposed a solution.
Dunant suggested that nations form relief societies to care for the wounded and train volunteers in medical care. He also called for international agreements to ensure that wounded soldiers received treatment and that medical personnel would be protected. His efforts led to widespread advocacy across Europe, culminating in the signing of the first Geneva Convention on August 22, 1864. Twelve nations agreed to protect medical personnel, expedite supplies, and adopt the Red Cross emblem for neutrality in wartime.
Thanks to Henry Dunant’s vision, the Geneva Convention was born, saving countless lives and establishing a humanitarian framework that continues to impact war medicine today.
