Our funds and medals
Our funds and medals aim to:
- help promote and develop the activities of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
- promote international humanitarian law
- recognize the merits of individuals who have made notable contributions to our work
- provide support to staff in difficulty because of their work in crises
Empress Shôken Fund
The Empress Shôken Fund was initiated in 1912 by the Empress of Japan to promote relief work in time of peace. Each year, it awards grants to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for specific projects, including disaster preparedness, health care, blood donations, youth and first aid.
Florence Nightingale Medal
The Florence Nightingale Medal was established by National Societies in honour of the renowned English nurse of the 19th century. It is awarded to nurses or nursing aides who have distinguished themselves in times of peace or war. The medal may be awarded posthumously if the prospective recipient has died while in active service.
French Fund Maurice de Madre
The French Fund Maurice de Madre provides assistance for staff of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, or their families, who are in difficult circumstances as a result of a serious injury sustained in the course of their work, illness or death. It was established after a bequest to the ICRC by Count Maurice de Madre in 1970.
Paul Reuter Fund
The Paul Reuter Fund encourages the publication of works on international humanitarian law, with a prize awarded every two years. The fund was set up in 1983 through a donation made to the ICRC by the late Paul Reuter, Professor Emeritus at the University of Paris and member of the Institute of International Law.