Message from the
IFRC Secretary General
Small and medium-sized disasters may not dominate global headlines, but for communities affected they are just as devastating. The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) ensures that these crises are met with speed, dignity and locally-led action. Money is made available fast, without the need to wait for a specific appeal.
The DREF 2026 Plan is firmly anchored in the IFRC’s Renewal. In the context of significant global funding constraints, humanitarians must be more focused, disciplined and accountable than ever. The IFRC-DREF is central to this shift - enabling early, flexible financing while reinforcing strong stewardship and clear evidence of results. It is also innovative both in the way it is financed (our world-first indemnity insurance policy was triggered for the first time in 2024) and in how its funds are allocated; funding anticipatory action, before hazards hit, is a growing priority.
Our 2026–2030 DREF Ambition involves strengthening not only what we fund, but how we deliver. In 2026, we will continue to streamline processes, improve sequencing between DREF grants and Emergency Appeals and reinforce compliance and operational quality. This ensures that speed is matched by sound decision-making, transparency and impact.
Localization remains at the heart of IFRC-DREF. By channeling resources directly to National Societies, we enable action that is timely, context-driven and sustainable. At a time when humanitarian needs are rising and financing is under pressure, this agile and principled mechanism is more essential than ever.
The DREF 2026 Plan reflects our commitment to work smarter, better demonstrate impact and ensure that no community facing disaster is ignored. I urge you to read it.
Jagan Chapagain
Context and rationale for the 2026 plan
What is the IFRC-DREF?
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) is an efficient, fast, transparent, and localized way of getting funding directly to local humanitarian actors – both before and after a crisis. It enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond rapidly to emergencies and act ahead of predictable hazards through two complementary pillars:
• Response
• Anticipatory Action
The fund combines speed, flexibility, transparency and localization to support community-led humanitarian action.
Context and rationale for the 2026 plan
The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) enters 2026 at a pivotal moment, marking the conclusion of its Strategic Ambition 2020–2025 and the release of the IFRC-DREF Strategic Ambition 2026–2030, with 2026 serving as the first year of its operationalization. This transition builds on a period of significant reform, as the revision of procedures introduced in 2025 strengthened accountability, clarified operational and financial rules, and reinforced minimum readiness requirements, including for anticipatory action, while safeguarding IFRC-DREF’s core strengths of speed, flexibility, and reliability. These developments take place within the broader context of the IFRC Renewal, which seeks to strengthen a collective approach by reinforcing localization, quality, accountability, and proximity to communities across the IFRC network (the IFRC secretariat and its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies).
At the same time, National Societies continue to operate in increasingly complex environments shaped by:
· climate-related disasters,
· epidemics,
· displacement,
· economic pressures,
· and shrinking humanitarian funding.
These realities reinforce the importance of a fast, agile and locally led humanitarian financing mechanism.
Global operational realities
In 2025, IFRC-DREF allocated CHF 77.4 million across 170 operations in 83 National Societies, supporting 14.5 million people affected by crises worldwide.
While most allocations remained under the Response Pillar (CHF 64.9 million), anticipatory action reached a record CHF 12.7 million, representing 16% of total funding. This growth was supported by the approval of 11 new simplified EAPs and 21 new EAPs.
Despite a decline from 2024, allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021, while operations increased by 27% over the same period. At the same time, the number of countries supported remained relatively stable, reflecting growing concentration of IFRC-DREF usage in highly crisis-affected contexts.
Anticipatory action expanded significantly faster than the overall fund between 2021 and 2025, increasing by approximately 150%. This trend is expected to continue in 2026 through simplified procedures and expanded early action mechanisms.
Despite growing pressure on humanitarian financing systems, IFRC-DREF allocations in 2025 remained 75% higher than in 2021.
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Total allocated |
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Supported operations |
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National Societies supported |
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Number of allocations |
Hazard trends and changing crisis profiles:
Over the past five years, natural hazards have consistently accounted for the majority of IFRC-DREF allocations, averaging approximately 65% of total annual funding. However, this share declined to 59% in 2025 (44.9 million Swiss francs), down from 62 million Swiss francs in 2024 (75%). This change signals a shift in the profile of IFRC-DREF-supported operations:
Floods
Floods and flash floods remained the largest hazard category, with CHF 23 million allocated across 57 operations.
Population movement
Population movement became the second-largest hazard category, reflecting increasing displacement linked to conflict, climate shocks and economic pressures.
Epidemics
Epidemics became the third-largest hazard category in 2025, with major allocations supporting cholera, Ebola and Marburg responses, particularly in Africa. 2025 also saw the approval of the first epidemic-focused EAPs and sEAPs.
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Complex Emergencies |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
Drought |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
Droughts |
Cyclones/Storm surge |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
Drought |
Cyclone/Storm surge |
Population Movement |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
Droughts |
Cyclones/Storm Surge |
Population Movement |
Epidemic |
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Complex Emergencies |
Earthquakes |
Droughts |
Cyclones/Storm surge |
Population Movement |
Epidemics |
Floods/Flash floods |
Top hazards by total allocated 2021 - 2025
2026 Outlook
A more complex humanitarian landscape
Humanitarian needs are expected to intensify in 2026 as climate shocks, epidemics, displacement and funding reductions continue to affect vulnerable communities worldwide.
Funding pressures and humanitarian needs
In 2025, reductions in funding for humanitarian assistance by major donors had a strong impact on humanitarian operations and projects across the globe. IFRC’s Global Plan for 2026 highlighted that the sharp decline in funding has resulted in a contraction of programmes and operational reach, constraining the ability of international humanitarian actors to operate at scale.1 According to the UN OCHA, total humanitarian funding has decreased by 25% in 2025, with a marked 45% decrease in specific funding for food security.2These reductions are expected to translate into higher unmet needs in 2026, particularly among women, children and displaced populations.
Risks of increased food insecurity
- Funding reductions are expected to significantly worsen acute food insecurity across multiple crisis-affected regions.
- The reduction in emergency food assistance risks pushing millions of people into more severe levels of food insecurity.
Epidemics and healthcare risks
- Cuts to health and WASH programmes are increasing the risk of epidemics and preventable disease outbreaks.
- Forecasts suggest that millions of people may lose access to essential healthcare services.
Climate change and extreme weather
• Small Island Developing States,
• drought-prone regions,
• and areas experiencing overlapping climate and conflict-related risks
Specific risks linked to a changing climate
Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires
Extreme heat events are becoming significantly more frequent due to climate change, with heatwaves now occurring almost three times more often than in previous decades, with annual recurrence. Prolonged heat contributes to drought conditions and increase the likelihood and intensity of wildfires.
Floods
Heavy rainfall events have become more frequent and intense across many regions, driven by climate change and worsened by human factors such as land-use change and agricultural expansion.
Storms and tropical cyclones
Rising ocean temperatures are expected to continue fueling more intense tropical cyclones, increasing their destructive potential and associated rainfall. Small Island Developing States remain particularly vulnerable to these hazards due to their geographic exposure, limited response capacity, and high dependence on climate-sensitive livelihoods.
Strategic changes introduced in 2025
The revised IFRC-DREF Procedures approved in 2025 formalized critical updates across operational, financial, and anticipatory domains, consolidating changes from the IFRC-DREF Evolution in 2022 and the following period:
These updates increase the relevance and effectiveness of the IFRC-DREF tool and will contribute to strengthening the efforts during 2026 to provide mechanisms to better measure impact and accountability.
Implications for 2026
The new IFRC-DREF procedures, launched in 2025, provide a stronger foundation for IFRC-DREF to continue fulfilling its mission as an agile, flexible tool, but highlight areas where adaptation is required to remain relevant and effective. The implications for 2026 reflect the need to strengthen accountability towards communities, proximity, operational quality, compliance with the use of funds, and anticipatory capacity.
In this context, the IFRC-DREF Strategic Ambition 2026–2030 provides the overarching direction for the next phase of the fund’s evolution. It focuses on improving the quality and impact of IFRC-DREF-supported operations, scaling up anticipatory and early action, strengthening support to complex and protracted crises, and reinforcing enabling systems such as community engagement, accountability, risk management, and National Society capacity.
Proximity and relevance to communities: With clearer procedures and standards, branches and community-based volunteers are expected to play a more central role, reinforcing local decision-making, community engagement, and the timeliness of response.
Operational quality and accountability: Higher expectations for planning, reporting, and oversight mean that IFRC-DREF-funded operations must be consistent, transparent, and results-based. Together with enhancing needs analysis, impact measurement, and strengthened monitoring will contribute to higher credibility and effectiveness of interventions, ensuring resources are used efficiently while maintaining trust with communities and donors.
Anticipatory action and early intervention: With two activations per EAP and a more agile imminent IFRC-DREF, National Societies are increasingly positioned to anticipate hazards and provide timely support, reducing the human and material impact of crises. Similarly, streamlining the imminent IFRC-DREF application and review processes means that National Societies can access funds from this modality faster and in time to implement the early actions before a disaster strikes.
Institutional systems and evidence: Updated procedures emphasize the role of information and systems in supporting decision-making. Monitoring, data collection, and feedback mechanisms are essential to ensure operations remain responsive, allow learning across contexts, and help both National Societies and IFRC make informed, evidence-based choices.
Funding for 2026
In 2026, resource mobilization is a core enabler, supporting localized, accountable, and efficient operations while reinforcing National Societies’ ability to lead and scale response efforts in line with the evolving humanitarian landscape.
The following strategic objectives set out the priorities for strengthening IFRC-DREF’s financial sustainability, governance, and global positioning. Together, they aim to ensure predictable resources, reinforce donor confidence, and maximize the Fund’s impact in supporting timely, locally led humanitarian response.
Strengthening IFRC-DREF’s financial sustainability, governance, and global positioning
Objective 1
Diversify and broaden IFRC-DREF’s funding base
IFRC will continue to expand and diversify funding sources to the IFRC-DREF.
Objective 2
Enhance predictability and strengthen liquidity through Innovative Finance
Building on the existing IFRC-DREF insurance model to strengthen predictability and strengthen liquidity, while protecting the fund against funding volatility.
Objective 3
Strengthen IFRC-DREF governance through the IFRC-DREF Council
Strengthening IFRC-DREF governance through the IFRC-DREF Council will be prioritized to ensure transparent, evidence-based decision-making and enhance the Fund’s credibility and effectiveness in rapid disaster response.
Objective 4
Drive donor trust and global recognition by strengthening visibility and communication
The IFRC-DREF will strengthen visibility and strategic communication to reinforce donor confidence and position the fund as a leading global pooled mechanism for locally led humanitarian action, recognized for speed, efficiency, transparency and measurable impact.
Strategic Objectives
SO 1: Closer to people – Strengthening quality, accountability and maximizing impact through enhanced localization
The first priority for 2026 is to enhance National Societies’ proximity to affected communities through IFRC-DREF-funded activities, ensuring that branches, local structures, and volunteers are empowered to lead responses while maintaining high operational standards. The 2025 reforms clarified expectations around planning, monitoring, reporting, and financial oversight, providing an opportunity to embed quality, accountability, and impact measurement in all operations. Insights from the National Society Investment Framework (NSIF) dashboard will help inform understanding of institutional capacity and readiness, supporting a more contextualized and realistic approach to strengthening localization and quality.
This focus aims to support National Societies in delivering context-appropriate responses, improving trust and relevance with communities, and ensuring interventions are transparent and results-oriented. Coordination with local authorities and partners will be reinforced to maximize complementarity and coherence, building a stronger foundation for measurable impact. The NSIF dashboard may also serve as a reference point, where appropriate, to help situate IFRC-DREF-supported activities within broader institutional development priorities and investment patterns.
Target: IFRC-DREF operations demonstrate a stronger impact of National Societies to communities through enhanced localization and strengthened quality and accountability across the overall process and implementation.
SO1 - Milestones:
IFRC-DREF localization definition and indicators are approved, and a tracking system is set up for monitoring by December 2026. This will include a short guidance and briefing pack for dissemination and field testing in Q1 2027 and onward implementation.
IFRC-DREF Quality Assurance minimum standards are finalized and approved by December 2026, to be embedded in IFRC-DREF application review process and implementation workflows.
- Q1-2: The Needs Analysis within the IFRC-DREF application is to be evaluated against the Minimal Quality Standards. To understand the overall quality, but further to this, identify Blockers and Enablers to achieve minimal standards.
- Q3-4: Under the Needs Analysis workstream, establish an automated review process of IFRC-DREF application needs analysis. To be measured against a defined Minimum Quality Standards (to be adapted from the IFRC's Minimum Quality Standards for Assessment).
- Q1-2: Explore technical solutions to an improved and integrated Planning and Monitoring process for IFRC-DREF approvals. Identify minimal system and process requirements for all relevant parties.
- Q3-4: Develop technical solutions to improve integrated Planning and Monitoring processes with relevant parties. Be able to test/pilot the solution by the end of 2026.
- Q2-3: Establish Minimal Quality Standards for IFRC-DREF processes. Building on the work of the Early Warning Tracking System developed for operations.
- Q3-4: Minimal Quality Standards, identify an appropriate tracking and reporting tool to monitor progress against the standards.
IFRC-DREF Impact Framework conceptual model is finalized and approved by December 2026
- Q1-2: Establish the scope and definition of the IFRC-DREF Impact Framework
- Q1-2: Define “impact” for IFRC-DREF (community level and institutional level)
- Q1-2: Map existing IFRC and Movement impact related frameworks and identify relevant elements to ‑related frameworks and identify relevant elements to leverage for IFRC-DREF
- Q3-4: Review existing in-house frameworks, tools and localization indicator sets in consultation with relevant in-house teams and partners
- Q3-4: Identify gaps and short-term impact requirements for IFRC-DREF
- Q3-4: Develop initial structure outlining possible domains of impact for community and institutional levels and validate draft conceptual model.
SO2: Scaling up anticipatory action
The second strategic priority focuses on expanding anticipatory action to ensure more effective action ahead of predictable hazards. The procedural changes in 2025 introduced double activation for Early Action Protocols (EAPs), a basis for scaling anticipatory action at the country level. In 2026, the National Society Investment Framework (NSIF) dashboard will be used to help inform prioritization for scaling up anticipatory action, including consideration of risk exposure and institutional readiness. This will contribute to more informed decision-making and alignment with the National Society's capacities.
Key actions for 2026 include the scale up of anticipatory action by simplifying and expanding anticipatory action mechanisms and EAPs across climate and non-climate risks, the dissemination and roll-out of the Anticipatory Action for Population Movement guidance and quality criteria, the implementation of the Anticipatory Action for Small States Project in the Caribbean, and the finalizing, testing, piloting and launching of the application for EAPs and sEAPs through the GO Platform.
SO2 Milestones
- Two Early Action Plans for small states developed through the Anticipatory Action for Small States Project (Q3 2026)
- EAP 2.0 ready to be tested with a few countries (Q4 2026)
- AA for population movement rolled out and feedback collected from National Societies, which used it to develop protocols or imminent IFRC-DREF for population movement
- Launch of the application form for sEAPs through the GO Platform (Q3 2026)
- Finalize the development of the emergency pages for sEAPs in GO Platform (Q4 2026)
Target: The IFRC-DREF aims at a continuous increase of the anticipatory action allocations for weather-related and non-weather disasters, through simplified mechanisms, reaching at least 25% of the total IFRC-DREF allocations by 2030.
SO3: Increasing efficiency through cash prepositioning and forecast-based supply chain financing
Although the full-scale implementation of cash prepositioning and forecast-based supply chain financing will be phased over subsequent years, 2026 will focus on establishing the foundational elements required to test and validate these approaches. The National Society Investment Framework (NSIF) will be used to help prioritize National Societies where implementation can be advanced.
The focus for 2026 will be on early planning and learning rather than scale. This includes identifying priority contexts and likely hazards to inform early resource prepositioning, strengthening National Societies’ capacity to manage cash and pre-positioned stocks in line with updated procedures, and testing initial supply chain and cash readiness approaches in a limited number of contexts. These preliminary steps are designed to build confidence, generate evidence, and demonstrate feasibility, while avoiding overburdening operational teams during the first year of implementation.
Target: Operations become faster and more efficient through supply chain optimization actions and cash prepositioning in the most at-risk and disaster-prone countries (up to 3%–5% of total funds).
Priority contexts and hazards identified (Q1 2026)
A limited number of priority contexts and likely hazards are identified using predictive analysis, NSIF inputs, and historical IFRC-DREF data.
Process and roles agreed (Q1–Q2 2026)
A common process between IFRC-DREF, Cash, Supply Chain, and Operations has been agreed upon, clarifying roles, decision points, and coordination arrangements.
Accountability and financing modalities defined (Q2 2026)
Standard operating procedures, accountability levels, and financing mechanisms for cash readiness and forecast-based supply chain financing are finalized.
Initial coalition and pilot contexts confirmed (Q2–Q3 2026)
A small group of National Societies and partners willing to contribute to readiness and prepositioning efforts is confirmed, along with selected pilot contexts.
First pilot funding released and learning initiated (Q3–Q4 2026)
Initial funding is released to selected contexts to support cash and/or supply chain readiness activities, enabling first implementation and learning before the end of the year.
Target: Operations become faster and more efficient through supply chain optimization actions and cash prepositioning in the most at-risk and disaster-prone countries (up to 3%–5% of total funds).
Enabling actions
Enabler 1: Synergies with National Society development and capacity building
Operational learning from IFRC-DREF-funded operations contributes directly to longer-term National Society development. Through closer alignment and coordination with National Society Development initiatives, including the Capacity Building Fund (CBF) and the National Society Investment Alliance (NSIA), and by using the National Society Investment Framework (NSIF) dashboard as a shared analytical backbone, IFRC-DREF strengthens institutional capacity and supports more coherent, evidence-based decision-making.
In line with the IFRC Renewal this coordination will support the progressive establishment of a “IFRC-DREF-ready” certification approach, aligned with existing IFRC assessment and certification models, while reinforcing National Society development support to National Societies to strengthen their preparedness, compliance, and the quality of response over time.
Coordination in place (Q1 2026)
A simple coordination set-up between IFRC-DREF, National Society development funds (CBF and NSIA) is agreed, with clear focal points and regular exchanges.
Key IFRC-DREF lessons identified (Q1–Q2 2026)
The main lessons from recent IFRC-DREF operations that are most relevant for National Society development have been identified and agreed upon.
Learning capture process agreed (Q2 2026)
A clear and practical process has been agreed for capturing and organizing IFRC-DREF operational knowledge so it can be used in the planning processes of the National Society development funds.
Learning tested with selected National Societies (Q3–Q4 2026)
IFRC-DREF operational learning is tested with a small number of National Societies to see how it can be used in development and capacity-strengthening planning.
Way forward agreed (Q4 2026)
Based on this testing, a simple and realistic approach has been agreed for using IFRC-DREF learning in National Society development from 2027 onwards.Ba
Target: National Societies demonstrate measurable improvement in sustainability, preparedness, and operational quality through the integrated use of IFRC-DREF operational insights and National Society development support mechanisms.
Enabler 2: Enhancing Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA)
In 2025, IFRC-DREF, in coordination with IFRC’s Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA) team, launched a project with Ground Truth Solutions (GTS) to design a standardized CEA tool to support direct data collection from communities reached through IFRC-DREF-funded operations. The tool aims at assessing community perception of the quality and relevance of National Society interventions.
By providing systematic, comparable feedback from crisis-affected people, the tool will also strengthen IFRC-DREF’s localization and impact work, offering clearer insight into how communities experience and value the support delivered by their National Societies, and helping assess short-term changes resulting from IFRC-DREF-funded activities. The tool will also strengthen IFRC-DREF’s localization and impact work term changes resulting from IFRC-DREF funding.
As the first year of Strategic Ambition, 2026 will lay the foundation for the operationalization of the framework in 2027 and 2028. The primary objective for 2026 is to leverage the results of the GTS project to develop an implementation and data analysis process that will allow the rollout and operational use of the tools from 2027 onwards.
Key milestones for 2026:
The IFRC-DREF-tailored community feedback mechanism will be progressively integrated starting in 2027, following the completion of the GTS project and in alignment with Strategic Objective 1 on quality and localization.
The period 2028–2030 will focus on full institutionalization, strengthening real-time data flows, and embedding feedback loops into operational decision-making and allocation adjustments.
IFRC-DREF CEA feedback tools are finalized and validated for implementation.
By Q3, the standardized IFRC-DREF CEA data collection tools are finalized, validated, and implementation-ready, following consultation with regional CEA counterparts.
Roadmap in place for IFRC-DREF-funded operations rollout from 2027
By the end of 2026, the systems and institutional foundations required for operational rollout will be established.
By the end of 2026, the systems and institutional foundations required for operational rollout will be established.
The IFRC-DREF-tailored community feedback mechanism will be progressively integrated starting in 2027, following the completion of the GTS project and in alignment with Strategic Objective 1 on quality and localization. The period 2028–2030 will focus on full institutionalization, strengthening real-time data flows, and embedding feedback loops into operational decision-making and allocation adjustments.
Enabler 3: Promoting Protection, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) and Safeguarding
In 2026, scaling up Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) in IFRC-DREF-supported operations will be a core enabler for quality, accountable, and risk-informed humanitarian responses.
This approach reflects the recognition that addressing the distinct needs, risks, and capacities of people affected by crises is both a humanitarian imperative and foundational to operational quality, duty of care, and accountability to affected communities.
The work under this enabler in 2026 will be informed by findings from the Operational Review of PGI integration in IFRC-DREF (started January 2026).
Activities under this enabler in 2026 will focus on systematizing changes through improving the integration of PGI quality markers, safeguarding, and child protection minimum standards into core IFRC-DREF processes.
This phased approach will reinforce shared accountability across the IFRC secretariat and National Societies, while ensuring that PGI integration in IFRC-DREF-supported operations remains realistic, proportionate, and adapted to rapid-onset, complex, and anticipatory contexts.
Key milestones for 2026:
PGI baseline established (Q2 2026)
Completion and validation of the IFRC-DREF PGI Operational Review, providing an evidence base for prioritization and sequencing.
PGI priorities and minimum expectations defined (Q2-Q3 2026)
Agreement on key PGI priorities, sequencing, and minimum expectations for IFRC-DREF-supported operations, based on review findings.
Finalize guidance for embedding PGI integration in IFRC-DREF processes (Q4 2026)
Development and pilot of a guidance for the integration of PGI quality markers, safeguarding, and child protection minimum standards into core IFRC-DREF processes, supported by practical guidance. Full integration should start in 2027.
Learning-oriented data and markers approach initiated (Q4 2026)
Pilot and initial implementation of guidance on PGI markers and disaggregated data collection to support trend analysis, learning, and future tool adaptation.
Enabler 4: Measuring Environmental Impact
In 2026, IFRC-DREF will begin embedding environmental considerations as a core enabler of responsible, efficient, and sustainable humanitarian action, aligned with IFRC Renewal priorities and broader environmental commitments.
This initial phase will focus on laying the foundations for a more systematic approach over the 2026–2030 period, while ensuring coherence with existing IFRC environmental safeguards and green initiatives, including the Climate Action Accelerator.
Key milestones for 2026:
Target: IFRC-DREF operations adopt greener standards and contribute to IFRC’s long-term sustainability goals.
(Q2 2026): Internal coordination arrangements and partnerships with IFRC environmental and climate initiatives are established to guide IFRC-DREF’s approach.
(Q3–Q4 2026): A set of initial principles and reference points is agreed to inform the progressive integration of environmental considerations and future metrics within IFRC-DREF processes.
Enabler 5: Strengthening risk management and accountability
An integrated risk management framework ensures that operational, financial, and reputational risks are addressed, protecting volunteers and communities while maintaining donor confidence.
IFRC-DREF Operational Reviews strengthen this approach by providing evidence on risks encountered during rapid onset operations, how they were managed, and where systems need improvement.
They generate practical lessons that support better decision-making, reinforce compliance with IFRC-DREF standards, and keep accountability to communities at the core of rapid response ‑ onset operations, how they were managed, and where systems need improvement.
They generate practical lessons that support better decision making, reinforce compliance with IFRC-DREF standards, and keep accountability to communities at the core of rapid response.
Key milestones for 2026:
Alignment of relevant IFRC-DREF risk management tools and processes commenced through enhanced IFRC-DREF coordination with the IFRC secretariat’s risk management team.
Operational improvements are driven by IFRC-DREF audit insights.
Reviewing and updating IFRC-DREF KPIs kickstarted, in alignment with work on quality, impact, and localization measurement.
Revise the IFRC-DREF Operational Review Framework and toolbox. This includes updating methodological guidance, simplifying tools, and strengthening decision logic to support a coherent learning‑to‑action approach across both anticipatory action and response operations.
Secure sustainable resourcing for IFRC-DREF operational reviews
Scale up IFRC-DREF operational reviews.
Target: A transparent, risk-aware, and accountable IFRC-DREF mechanism that meets the highest donor standards and ensures efficient and responsible use of humanitarian resources.
Enabler 6: Strengthening National Societies’ capacities
In 2026, capacity strengthening will focus on finalizing and activating the revised IFRC-DREF Guidelines anddeveloping a practical, modular learning ecosystem that enables National Societies and IFRC colleagues to apply the 2025 procedural reforms effectively in IFRC-DREF operations.
The emphasis is on use, interpretation, and operational application of the guidelines, while preparing training, systems and tools for scale-up from 2027 onwards.
Workstreams for 2026
1. IFRC-DREF Guidelines activation and digital enablement: The revised IFRC-DREF Guidelines will be activated, not simply disseminated, with parallel exploration of digital and innovative formats to improve usability.
Milestones
- Q1: Guidelines finalized; official global communication; activation and digital exploration plan agreed
- Q2: Start of working sessions and regional exercises; initial testing of digital/AI-supported guideline use
- Q3: Continued activation; refinement of digital concepts based on user feedback
- Q4: Consolidation of lessons; recommendations for scaling digital guideline solutions from 2027.
2. IFRC-DREF training package – design and prototyping: A next-generation IFRC-DREF training package will be designed and tested, aligned with the revised IFRC-DREF Guidelines. The IFRC-DREF training package can be tailored to the organizational needs and operating context of an individual National Society, and adjusted to the time available to maximize the learning experience.
Milestones
- Q2: Training package architecture and module structure defined
- Q3: Development of core modules; initial simulations designed
- Q4: Limited pilots and testing; refinement and readiness for 2027 roll-out.
3. Capacity strengthening to mainstream and scale up anticipatory action: Work in 2026 aims to consolidate progress made to date and promote further anticipatory action ahead of a broader range of weather-related and other forms of hazards putting communities at risk.
Milestone
- Q1–Q4: Continuous support for National Societies and IFRC staff
- Q2 to Q4: Activation simulations promoted, facilitated and documented. .
4. Supporting resources and knowledge products: Targeted resources will be developed to ease the understanding and discussion of IFRC-DREF.
Milestones
- Q2: Identification of priority topics and user needs
- Q3: Development and release of initial resources
- Q4: Consolidation and alignment with training package and digital guideline tools.
5. Community of Practice: The Community of Practice will serve as the backbone of capacity strengthening across both pillars of the fund.
Milestones
- Q1–Q4: Continuous facilitation and upkeep; increasing cross-pillar engagement
- Q4: Consolidated knowledge inputs to inform 2027 priorities.
Enabler 7: Diversification of funding sources and innovative financing
Diversifying financing through public, private, and innovative sources, including insurance and blended models, enhances flexibility and sustainability. Predictable funding ensures National Societies can continue delivering high-quality, anticipatory, and locally led humanitarian services.
Overall Key Actions for 2026 include Expanding and diversifying funding across government, private, multilateral, and innovative financing channels; consolidate partnerships with existing donors and establish new relationships with emerging and non-traditional contributors; strengthening engagement with multilateral donors, corporate partners and impact investors; further developing and scaling the insurance mechanism and explore additional innovative financing tools; reinforcing visibility and transparent communication to highlight IFRC-DREF’s impact, efficiency, and value.
Key focus areas:
- Geographic diversification: Target new regions beyond Europe and the United States, particularly Asia-Pacific, the Americas, MENA, and Africa.
- Win–win partnerships with Participating National Societies (PNSs).
o Replicate and scale partnership models such as the MoU with selected National Societies (i.e. American Red Cross)
o Strengthen collaborate with other PNSs (e.g. British Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross);
- Pursue joint fundraising approaches that ensure IFRC-DREF complements, rather than complements with, PNS pooled funding mechanisms.
- Modular private sector pitch: Develop adaptable and tailored pitch materials aligned with partners’ priorities.
Building on the success of IFRC-DREF insurance, IFRC will explore additional sustainable and innovative financing mechanisms that enhance flexibility, strengthen long-term financial health, and convert volatility into predictability.
Regional outlook
Main priorities for 2026,
region by region
Africa
In 2026, Africa will continue prioritizing operational quality, accountability and capacity strengthening across the region’s large and complex IFRC-DREF portfolio. Building on the Africa IFRC-DREF Improvement Plan, efforts will focus on improving needs analysis, targeting, costing, monitoring and reporting to strengthen the quality and credibility of operations.
The region will also continue scaling up anticipatory action, particularly for epidemics and population movement, while strengthening understanding and operational readiness for anticipatory approaches.
Capacity strengthening will remain a major priority through webinars, trainings and practical support linked to both IFRC-DREF response and anticipatory action modalities. The region will continue promoting more evidence-based, timely and community-led operations while reinforcing localization, safeguarding and accountability.
Asia Pacific
In 2026, Asia Pacific will continue strengthening operational quality, preparedness and accountability across one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions. Regional support will focus on National Societies operating in high-risk and complex contexts across South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Pacific and East Asia.
Priority efforts will include strengthening readiness, surge capacity, operational decision-making and compliance with IFRC-DREF procedures. The region will also continue expanding support for anticipatory action through EAP and sEAP development, readiness arrangements and activation processes.
Together, these efforts aim to strengthen operational quality, preparedness and timely decision-making across preparedness, anticipatory action and emergency response.
Middle East and North Africa
In 2026, MENA will prioritize scaling up anticipatory action, strengthening operational readiness and reinforcing National Society capacities in increasingly complex operational environments shaped by climate shocks, displacement and protracted crises.
Regional efforts will focus on expanding the use of simplified EAPs and imminent IFRC-DREF modalities, while strengthening the link between anticipatory action and response operations.
Readiness and capacity strengthening will remain central priorities, including support on operational planning, compliance, reporting and implementation of the revised IFRC-DREF procedures. Across all priorities, the region will continue reinforcing operational quality, localization, safeguarding and accountability.
Europe and Central Asia
In 2026, Europe and Central Asia will continue strengthening anticipatory action and readiness for climate-related hazards, health emergencies and population movement. The region will focus on expanding EAPs and strengthening National Society capacities to operationalize anticipatory approaches.
At the same time, additional emphasis will be placed on strengthening preparedness and response readiness for sudden-onset disasters, including floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Capacity strengthening and training on the revised IFRC-DREF procedures will remain important priorities.
The region will also continue strengthening the connection between anticipatory action and IFRC-DREF response operations to support smoother transitions from early action to response.
Americas
In 2026, the Americas Region will continue focusing on localization, accountability and operational quality while strengthening anticipatory approaches and compliance across IFRC-DREF-supported operations.
Priority areas will include strengthening operational design, targeting, costing and results-based delivery, particularly in high-risk and complex contexts. The region will also continue scaling anticipatory action through EAPs, imminent IFRC-DREF modalities and the Anticipatory Action for Small States initiative in the Caribbean.
Capacity strengthening will remain a core priority through trainings, dissemination sessions and practical technical support to National Societies and IFRC structures. The region will also strengthen the integration of accountability, inclusion, safeguarding and risk management across the IFRC-DREF operational cycle.
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