Witness History Geneva Conventions
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Aug 22, 2025 Gabriel Martinez is the great-great-great-grandnephew of Henry Dunant, the founder of the Red Cross. He shares poignant readings from Dunant's 'A Memory of Solferino,' revealing the harrowing aftermath of the 1859 Battle of Solferino. The discussion covers Dunant's urgent call for international laws to protect wounded soldiers and his mobilization of volunteers during chaos. Listeners learn how these efforts culminated in the Geneva Conventions and the establishment of humanitarian principles that remain vital in warfare today.
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Solferino's Harrowing Firsthand Account
- Henri Dunant witnessed the carnage at the Battle of Solferino and described bodies piled and soldiers in agony.
- He personally organised local townspeople and resources to care for hundreds of wounded in churches and hospitals.
Volunteers From Unexpected Places
- Dunant recruited volunteers including tourists, an ex-naval officer, journalists and local women to help tend the wounded.
- The townspeople treated all nationalities equally, repeating "Tutti fratelli" as they cared for enemies and allies alike.
Need For Trained Battlefield Care
- Dunant realised untrained goodwill was often ineffective without organised, skilled volunteers during mass casualties.
- He argued a coordinated network of qualified nurses would vastly improve battlefield care.
