The International Red Cross was founded in 1863 by Henri Dunant and a group of humanitarian activists in response to the suffering witnessed during the Battle of Solferino. This organization was established to provide neutral and impartial assistance to wounded soldiers and civilians during armed conflicts. The founding of the Red Cross marked a pivotal moment in humanitarian efforts, leading to the development of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions. Its principles continue to guide humanitarian action worldwide.

The founding of the International Red Cross in 1863 introduced humanitarian themes into war literature, influencing poets like Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. Their works emphasized compassion amid conflict, highlighting the human cost of war and the need for empathy in times of strife.