Discovering Zürich and Switzerland

On Monday,14 June 16 ladies travelled to Geneva to visit the Red Cross Museum for the monthly event of the Discovering Zurich and Switzerland group, arranged by Anne-Marie Watter.

Our guide for the afternoon was Mr. Mohammed Sanyoh who explained many of the exhibits.

We learnt that the International Red Cross, which was founded in 1863,was initially focused solely on helping wounded soldiers.


A video of the carnage at the Battle of Solferno was shown before entering the main museum area.

Exhibits varied from vast files of missing persons from World war 1, numbered photos of missing children during the Ruandan massacre, pictures of now forbidden landmines and detailed yearly descriptions of worldwide conflicts and natural catastrophes up to the present time.

We learnt how over time, the IRC developed to include civilians in need of help as a result of natural catastrophes as well as those involved in armed conflict.


In making Henry Dunant s ideas a reality, the international movement was at the forefront of humanitarian law. Its fieldwork was later given a legal basis through resolutions adopted at meetings of the international conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

As an impartial, neutral and independent organisation, its mission also includes the promotion and strengthening of universal humanitarian principles.



Altogether a very interesting and thought provoking tour.