In recent weeks, floods have been hitting communities and making headlines around the world. 

Let’s take a look at some of the countries dealing with flooding and see how Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are helping people who have been affected. 

Slovenia 

Torrential rains over the past couple of weeks have affected two-thirds of Slovenia, prompting the country’s Prime Minister to declare it the ‘biggest natural disaster’ in the country’s history.  

The floods have killed three people and destroyed bridges, roads and houses - causing an estimated 500 million euros of damage. 

Volunteers from the Slovenian Red Cross have been delivering food, water and medicine to people affected by the floods – often on foot, since it’s the only way to reach many isolated communities. They’re also accompanying people staying in temporary shelters.  

The Czech Red Cross, Croatian Red Cross, Hungarian Red Cross and Polish Red Cross have all shown solidarity by sending additional food, water and hygiene items into the country to help with the response. 

A Slovenian Red Cross volunteer comforts a woman affected by severe flooding in the country in summer 2023.

Photo: Slovenian Red Cross

Norway

In Norway, Norwegian Red Cross volunteers are helping people affected Storm Hans, which is causing havoc across the south of the country – bringing extreme rain, landslides and floods. 

Volunteers are assisting with evacuations, running emergency ambulances, delivering food to isolated people and building sandbag flood defences. Many local branches remain on high alert, with more volunteers standing by to support as the situation develops. 

A Norwegian Red Cross ambulance crew responds in a community affected by Storm Hans in August 2023.

Photo: Norwegian Red Cross

Sudan 

With millions reeling from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, communities across White Nile state have also now been impacted by heavy rains and flash floods.  

Torrents of water swept away and destroyed everything in their path. Families have lost homes and belongings, and many are resorting to sleeping outside in the open air.  

Shelter and clean water are needed urgently. Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers, who have already been responding to people’s needs during the conflict, are assessing the situation closely to provide additional support. 

Communities in White Nile State, Sudan, move their belongings uphill after flood waters washed away homes and belongings in early August 2023.

Photo: Sudanese Red Crescent Society

China

Torrential rains and floods have hit East Asia severely this summer, including areas of north, northeast and southern China. Beijing has seen the largest rainfall experienced in the city in the past 140 years. 

Disaster relief teams from the Red Cross Society of China are helping people in flood-stricken areas – supporting with clean-up and recovery, as well as distributing household items, quilts, waterproof jackets and more. 

A volunteer from the Red Cross Society of China's disaster relief team in Chongqing clears a street affected by heavy flooding in July 2023.

Photo: China Red Cross Society

Philippines

In the Philippines, Typhoons Doksuri and Khanun (known locally as Egay and Falcon) have brought devastating floods. 

An estimated 313,000 people have been displaced by Doksuri alone, and more than 25 people have sadly lost their lives. 

Philippine Red Cross volunteers have been bringing relief supplies, meals, medical assistance and psychosocial support to affected communities. 

Philippine Red Cross volunteers carry medical equipment to communities affected by flooding and provide hot meals from mobile kitchens.

Photo: Philippine Red Cross

Afghanistan 

Flash floods and heavy rainfall have caused loss of life, injuries and severe damage to hundreds of households in Afghanistan – a country already experiencing complex humanitarian crises. 

Afghan Red Crescent and IFRC emergency teams are providing urgent relief – including blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulins and shelter kits. And mobile health teams are bringing medical services to remote communities. 

A man stands outside a house destroyed by flooding in Afghanistan in July 2023, while others prepare supplies to distribute to communities.

Photo: IFRC/Meer Abdullah

Iran 

In Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society teams have been responding to flooding in Sistan Balochistan, North Khorasan and West Azerbaijan provinces – deploying 35 response teams and providing support to hundreds of people. 

Volunteer teams have been rescuing people stranded in the flood waters, setting up temporary shelters, and providing essential items. 

Iranian Red Crescent Society volunteers rescue people stranded by flood waters in early August 2023.

Photo: Iranian Red Crescent Society

Honduras 

In western Honduras, localized flooding caused by rainstorms hit the town of Copan Ruinas – damaging homes and local businesses.  

The local Honduran Red Cross branch responded quickly to distribute relief items to local people and help clear up debris and fallen trees. 

-- 

Thank you to all our National Societies for supporting communities affected by floods in recent weeks.

If you'd like to learn more about floods and how you can prepare, click here.