How did the Red Cross form

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A. The International Red Cross - in the news again after demanding to see Al-Qaeda and Taliban prisoners held in Cuba - started more than 135 years ago, inspired by Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman. < xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Q.� Why

A.� Dunant had been appalled at the suffering of thousands of men left to die though lack of care after the Battle of Solferino, Italy, in 1859. He suggested creating national relief societies, run by volunteers, trained in peacetime to provide neutral and impartial help to relieve suffering in times of war. A committee, which later became the International Committee of the Red Cross, was established in Geneva. The founding charter of the Red Cross was drawn up in 1863.

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Q.� And countries would abide by this agreement

A.� Dunant said countries should adopt an international agreement that would recognise the status of medical services and of the wounded on the battlefield. This agreement - the original Geneva Convention - was adopted in 1864.

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Q.� How did its work start

A.� In 1870, during the French-Prussian war, Colonel Loyd-Lindsay (later Lord Wantage of Lockinge) wrote a letter to The Times calling for a national society to be formed in Britain following the example of other European nations.

The next month, a public meeting in London passed a resolution that 'a national society be formed in this country for aiding sick and wounded soldiers in time of war ... under rules laid down by the Geneva Convention'. It was called the British National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War - but this not-so-snappy title was changed in 1905 to the British Red Cross Society and granted its first royal charter by Queen Alexandra, who became president.

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Q.� And the 'war to end all wars' was looming

A.� Yes. The society needed a huge number of skilled volunteers if it was to be prepared for its war-time role. The Voluntary Aid Scheme was introduced in 1909 and ensured that Voluntary Aid Detachments were formed in every county in England. Members would provide aid to the territorial medical forces in times of war. Upon the outbreak of the First World War in August, 1914, the society, with the Order of St John, formed a committee to pool financial and human resources and to work together under the red cross flag.

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Q.� And what did they do in the Great War

A.� The VADs, as they became known, worked in hospitals, convalescent homes, rest stations, packing centres, medical supply depots and work parties. They served in all areas of conflict in Europe, the Middle East, Russia and East Africa.

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Q.� After the war...

A.� In May, 1919, the League of Red Cross Societies (now the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies) extended its role to incorporate 'the improvement of health, the prevention of disease, and the mitigation of suffering throughout the world'. In 1921 the British Red Cross established the first blood transfusion service.

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Q.� And modern times

A.� The huge numbers of civilians affected by forced migration during the Second World War resulted in serious refugee problems. The Fourth Geneva Convention in 1949 made provision to protect civilians caught up in war, especially those in the hands of the enemy or occupying power. The movement had a vital role to play in the many and varied international conflicts and disasters: the Hungarian Revolution (1956); the Iranian Earthquake (1962); the famine in Africa (1980-1989); Hurricane Mitch (1998); and the Columbia Earthquake (1999). And the good work goes on - as the so-called 'illegal combatants' held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, will soon find out.

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Steve Cunningham