SOLILOQUY OF A POSTAGE STAMP, #86 THE RED CROSS & CRESCENT SOCIETIES, (cont'd) : Fouad Kronfol

This week I conclude the series of philatelic materials issued to commemorate the Red Cross,Red Crescent & Red Lion Societies on their 160th Anniversary, 1863-2023. These humanitarian organizations which are present in almost all the countries in the world have been at the forefront of relief work in multiple emergency situations, both natural and man-made catastrophies, and have a proven track record in this domain. In many cases UNICEF has worked closely with these organizations in its relief and rehabilitation efforts throughout its history.

This week I will feature stamps issued mainly from Asian and Middle Eastern countries. Here are two stamps from Thailand issued in 1989 to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Red Cross. One shows a nurse holding a shield with the Red Cross on it and a mother holding a child on one side and a wounded soldier on the other.The second stamp, also issued in1989 commemorates the 125th anniversary of the ICRC with a red cross on top of six green columns.

This stamp from Japan issued in 1959 shows the Red Cross and a team of women nurses carrying a stretcher with a casualty in it.

From the Philippines we have this stamp issued in 1969 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the League of Red Cross Societies , the umbrella organization grouping the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Lion societies.

This is a stamp from the Republic of Indonesia, issued in 1994 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.It shows the globe being embraced by a humanoid figure.

From Pakistan we have this stamp issued in 1963 to commemorate the Centenary of the Red Cross, 1863-1963. It has the Red Cross symbol and the Eternal Flame related to Human Rights.

Also from Pakistan is this stamp commemorating the 125th anniversary of the Red Cross and Red Crescent movement. It has the picture of the globe surrounded by a red swathe with the two symbols of the red cross and crescent.

These two stamps are from Afghanistan, issued in 1963 to mark the Centenary of the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, 1863-1963. The design is also of the Eternal Flame of Human Rights and the Red Crescent. Note that the inscriptions are both in Afghani and French languages.

From India we have this stamp showing Henri Dunant and commemorating the holding of the 19th International Conference of the Red Cross in Delhi in 1957.

Also from India we have this stamp issued in 1970 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Indian Red Cross Society. It shows a nurse tending to a wounded man.

This is another stamp from India issued in 1963 to mark the Centennial of the Red Cr oss Society, 1863-1963.It has the photo of Henri Dunan and the Eternal Flame & Red Cross emblems.

This four stamp set was issued by the Republic of South Viet Nam in1960 to commemorate the Red Cross and has the portrait of Henri Dunan.

These two stamps are from North Viet Nam issued to mark the Centennial of the Red Cross Society. One shows a nurse tending to a child, while the other has the Human Rights and Red Cross emblems.

From the Republic of Cambodia we have this stamp issued in 1968 to commemrate the 15th anniversary of the national Red Cross. It shows a team of health workers tending to a patient on a stretcher.

Again from Cambodia we have this three stamp set to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the League of Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Lion societies. They show the globe circled by a band with the emblems of the three main bodies of the League.

From the Kingdom of Laos we have this four stamp set issued in 1958 to commemorate the third anniversary of the Laotian Red Cross Society. They show a mother breast feeding her child....a precursor to the UNICEF GOBI movement in the 1980's ??

Also from Laos this is a Souvenir Sheet of three stamps issued in 1967 to mark the 10th anniversary of the national Red Cross . The stamps are all semi-postal with the surtax meant for humanitarian activities.The design shows a rural scene with farmers going about their tasks.

This is an interesting stamp from Djibouti issued to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the battle of Solferino in Italy, as well as the 120th anniversarey of the Red Cross.. It is recallled that Henri Dunant's experience with this battle made him come up with the idea of special treatment for wounded in wars and the creation of the Red Cross as the movement to carry out such humanitarian activities.

From the Republic of Niger we have this stamp issued on World Health Day with a large Red Cross symbol and the WHO Emblem and with many children around them. The inscription reads," immunization is to protect your children"...

These two stamps from Lebanon were issued in 1947 as air mail and semi-postal stamps with the Red Cross symbol with the surtax meant for relief work in post emergency situations.

This attractive six stamp series was issued by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to commemorate the Centennial of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The three stamps with the Red Crescent have the photo of King Hussein; while the three stamps with the Red Cross show the dates of the movement, 1863-1963.

Also from Jordan this a two stamp issue of 1984 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. They show two white doves flying with the two symbols of the Societies.

Here we have two stamps issued by the United Arab Republic (Egypt) in 1963 to mark the Centennial of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

From Iran we have this two stamp set issued in 1963 to mark the Centennial of the Red Cross movement. To note these two stamps are the only ones which have the Red Lion symbol together with the Eternal Flame one.

These two stamps were issued by the Syrian Arab Republic in 1963 to commemorate the Centennial of the Red Cross & Red Crescent.

From the Syrian Arab Republic here are two stamps to commemorate the holding of the 8th Conference of the Arab Red Crescent and Red Cross Societies in Damascus in 1976. They show the face of a young nurse together with the symbol of the Arab League's Red Crescent & Cross societies.

My last item is this semi-postal stamp from the Republic of Tunisia to commemorate the national Red Crescent society. The design shows a nurse holding a sign that reads, "Blood Donation" in Arabic and French.