Climate-related emergencies on the rise as IFRC scales up support

As National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies stepped up to respond to the global COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 also saw an increase in other emergencies around the world.

The IFRC’s 2020 Annual Report shows that 109 operations were supported by its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF), with funding exceeding 34 million Swiss francs.

IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, said: “We have seen climate-related emergencies increase, with floods, cyclones and migration emergencies affecting countries around the world. We mobilised more resources to make sure National Societies have increased support from DREF - not only to respond but also to anticipate and mitigate the impact of crises on the most at-risk communities.”

As COVID-19 gripped the globe, the Red Cross Red Crescent network reached more than 650 million people with health and hygiene activities and more than 106 million with water and sanitation activities. The IFRC procured 20 million Swiss francs of PPE for National Societies and sent 184 million tons of COVID-19 related goods to more than 60 countries.

“I continue to be incredibly proud and humbled by the dedication and commitment of our volunteers, National Societies and IFRC,” Chapagain added.

“Last year was extremely difficult, but also an inspiration in how we can come together to overcome even the most daunting challenges of our time.”

In 2020, the IFRC also increased its investment in strengthening National Societies around the world by allocating 12.9 million Swiss francs to is Capacity Building Fund.

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Read IFRC’s full 2020 Annual Report here.

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