World Civil Defence Day being observed today

World Civil Defence Day is being observed across the globe on Wednesday (March 1), to commemorate people who have sacrificed their lives for the purpose of protecting others.   

This year, the theme is “Uniting the world’s leading industry specialists for safety and security of future generations”.

This day was declared a global holiday by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) in 1990 and honours the significance of Civil Defence and the personnel who have sacrificed their lives for it. 

The day also focuses on making volunteers more active participants in the evacuation, response and rescue efforts resulting from any disaster. 

The ICDO is an intergovernmental organisation that helps citizens develop and stay secure while also protecting infrastructure and the environment. 

The organization was created in 1931 by Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul who founded the Association of Geneva Zones, which later became the ICDO. 

French Surgeon-General George Saint-Paul intended to build safe zones where residents may take refuge in times of war.

The day is marked on 1 March as it commemorates the anniversary of the day when the ICDO was recognised as an intergovernmental organisation by the United Nations. 

The organisation currently consists of 60 members and 23 observer states.