The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has awarded its highest honor, the Henry Davison Award, to Dr. Uraiwan Tinnungwattana, an ophthalmologist of Thai Red Cross Society. Dr. Uraiwan serves as Chair of Thai Red Cross’s Eye Surgery Project in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, and also leads the Mobile Eyeglasses Unit for children in remote areas.
The Henry Davison Award, named after the founder of the IFRC, was established in 2003 to honor individuals or Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies in recognition of outstanding service in improving the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity. This prestigious accolade is presented biennially at the IFRC’s General Assembly, with no more than five recipients in any given year. The award was first presented in 2005.
Dr. Uraiwan’s recognition follows in the footsteps of Mr. Phan Wannamethee, former Secretary General and Advisor of the Thai Red Cross Society, who received the Henry Davison Award in 2013 for his tireless dedication as Secretary General of the Thai Red Cross Society to enhancing the quality of life for those in need and expanding the Thai Red Cross’s humanitarian activities.
The 2024 Henry Davison Award ceremony took place on 23 October 2024, during the IFRC’s General Assembly at the Centre International de Conférence Genève, Switzerland.
For nearly 30 years, Thai Red Cross Society’s Eye Surgery Project in honor of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn has provided free eye surgeries to over 75,000 patients from under-resourced communities. These surgeries address a range of eye disorders, including cataracts, glaucoma, pterygium, eyelid conditions, and nasolacrimal duct obstruction, restoring sight to vulnerable individuals who otherwise lack access to quality ophthalmic care.
In addition, Thai Red Cross Society’s Mobile Eyeglasses Unit has been screening children in remote areas for refractive errors, such as myopia, since 1997. The unit has screened over 8 million children to date and distributed more than 100,000 pairs of eyeglasses free of charge to children in underserved rural and urban areas, improving their learning potential and quality of life.
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network supporting local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries and bringing together almost 15 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
