Mykola Polishchuk, President of the Ukrainian Red Cross, stressed the importance of protecting the Red Cross emblem in Ukraine during a press briefing, noting that its misuse undermines its protective function, especially during war.
‘Unfortunately, there are widespread cases of misuse of the Red Cross emblem in Ukraine: on private vehicles, facilities, goods, company logos, etc. This weakens its protective function, especially in times of war,’ said Polishchuk.
Read also: Announcement of the second cohort application for the REDpreneurUA program by the Ukrainian Red Cross
The Red Cross emblem is the most famous symbol of protection in the world. Its history began in 1864, when a diplomatic conference in Geneva adopted a convention that introduced the red cross as an official sign of protection. In Ukraine, the use of this emblem is regulated by the Law ‘On the Symbolism of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, Red Crystal in Ukraine’, which defines its two main functions – protective and distinctive.
To counteract misuse, the Ukrainian Red Cross is actively raising awareness, cooperating with law enforcement agencies, and has initiated an international social media campaign, which has been joined by 13 countries.
If you have witnessed the misuse of Red Cross symbols, the organisation encourages you to report such cases via its official website.
Read also: Ukrainian Red Cross Society’s employment opportunities project implemented in five regions
