World Health Day 2026: How quick local action helped a small community in Nepal beat back Cholera

In late October 2025, the quiet rhythm of life in Ward 5 of Chhinnamasta Rural Municipality, was abruptly broken. Families in this remote corner of Nepal’s Saptari District began rushing loved ones to the nearest health post as a sudden wave of Cholera swept through the settlement.Within days, three lives were lost: a young child, a toddler, and an elderly grandparent. For a small, marginalised community already living on the edge, the losses felt unbearable.“We didn’t understand what was happening,” one mother later shared with Red Cross teams. “We only knew our children were getting sick, and so fast.”Most families here depend on nearby ponds and rivers for drinking, cooking, and washing. Those same waters carried invisible dangers.With open defecation widespreadand no proper sanitation facilities, contamination was unavoidable. Illness was common. Reporting it was not.This time, the consequences were devastating. Yet in the midst of this chaos, something powerful began to unfold communities began to reach for one another.When every hour mattersAs cases rose, frontline health workers quickly recognized the signs of cholera. Their swift action set off a chain of alerts that travelled from village lanes to Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), led by the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD).Several months earlier, the EDCD had deployed rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for cholera provided by Gavi. To ensure their effective use for surveillance, a project hosted by the IFRC (the Country Support Platform - Global Task Force on Cholera Control) supported nationwide training of health professionals on the use of cholera RDT kits.This meant that the community got a quick answer what disease they were confronting.For families who had already watched loved ones die, the diagnosis brought both fear and clarity. This time, though, they were not facing it alone. Within days, health authorities, local officials, and humanitarian partners were on the ground.Drawing on the lessons from the cholera outbreak in Birgunj, a neighboring community, just months earlier, the response was very rapid. (The Birguni response was supported in part by funding from the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund, or IFRC-DREF).In Chhinnamasta, action began within 3–4 days, an achievement rooted not in only in epidemic response systems, but in people: the health worker who raised the alarm, the laboratory teams who worked through the night, the volunteers who went house to house to warn neighbours.While the response in Chhinamasta did not come directly under the Nepal Red Cross response funded by IFRC-DREF, it did benefit from the experiences and lessons learnt from other recent IFRC-DREF operations in Birgunj and other municipalities.Partnerships grounded in trustWhen EDCD asked for support, Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) volunteers became the bridge between institutions and families. They knew the settlements. They knew the languages. Most importantly, families trusted them.Provincial and local health offices, including health posts and hospitals, worked in close coordination. They rapidly convened emergency meetings, clarified roles, addressed logistical gaps, and mobilizied resources for an effective response.These partnerships weren’t abstract. They took concrete shape as health workers held urgent planning meetings under a single light bulb in the district office, or asneighbours helpied Red Cross teams navigate the narrow footpaths between homes.Bringing care to the heart of the communityOne of the turning points came when an Oral Rehydration Point (ORP) was opened right inside the affected settlement. Instead of walking long distances to seek help and losing precious time, families now have life-saving care just steps away.Parents arrived carrying children. Elderly people were supported by neighbours holding their arms. More than 1,200 people received immediate care.At the same time, 31 health workers received management training on cholera cases. These were the same nurses and health assistants who had known these families for years. Strengthening their skills meant strengthening the entire community’s resilience.Protecting families in their daily livesBecause cholera thrives where water is unsafe, families had to be protected not only in clinics, but in their kitchens, courtyards, and daily routines. Nepal Red Cross teams and volunteers facilitated settling these in the communities:Teaching families to treat water at homeShowing mothers how to keep drinking water covered and cleanReminding children when and how to wash their handsSharing messages in the languages people spoke at homeFM radio announcements and e-rickshaw loudspeakers carried urgent messages through the villagesEvery visit, every conversation, helped calm fears and rebuild confidence.A strong collaboration“I am amazed by how the Red Cross works from the central level right down to our communities,” said Dr. Mukesh Poudel, Chief of the Outbreak Section at EDCD. “I look forward to collaborating not only on cholera but also on other public health priorities.”Brahmadev Yadav from the Nepal Red Cross Saptari District branch added: “Even with our limited staff, the way EDCD and the IFRC stood with us was extraordinary. We were recognized and appreciated by local authorities.”Stronger than beforeStopping the outbreak was only the beginning. What happened in Saptari pushed everyone: health officials, responders, and families, to think beyond the emergency. New plans are now in motion to:Formalize partnership agreements between EDCD and the IFRCPrioritize preparedness for other epidemics.The experience in Saptari showed that with rapid detection, coordinated action, community engagement, and strong partnerships, even resilient communities can withstand deadly outbreaks and emerge stronger for the future."With its strong volunteer network and close coordination with government counterparts, the Nepal Red Cross Society continues to play a vital role in the cholera response,“ said Bal Krishna Sedai, acting director of the Nepal Red Cross Society.“In its auxiliary role to public authorities, the National Society stands ready to intensify efforts to contain the outbreak, strengthen community engagement, and build resilience.We call on all partners, donors, and stakeholders to act together to implement the National Cholera Elimination Plan to preventfuture outbreaks.”

The old and the (Re)new

By Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General and CEOOn 5 May 1919, in the aftermath of the First World War, a small group of National Red Cross Societies came together in France with a bold idea. They believed the compassion, solidarity and voluntary service shown during wartime should not disappear in peace. Instead, it should be organised, extended and made available wherever suffering occurred. That moment marked the birth of what would become the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.More than a century later, we mark that founding not only as a historical milestone, but as a reminder of why this network exists.The world we are operating in today is not the one imagined in 1919, nor even the one we knew a decade ago. Humanitarian needs continue to rise, while solidarity and funding are shrinking. Long‑standing assumptions about how international aid works are being tested, and in many cases overturned. Thingswill not go back to the way they were.This is the reality driving the IFRC’s Renewal, our strategic reorientation to double down on what we do best. Renewal is about becoming even more locally led, more focused, more accountable, and even better equipped to serve communities in environments often tougher today than they have ever been.But Renewal will only succeed if it is firmly anchored in ourFundamental Principles.In a world where humanitarian action is increasingly politicised, principles are sometimes treated as outdated or irrelevant. What matters, say some, is what works; not what lies behind, not the philosophy behind decisions. I disagree. Staying true to core principles, however contexts change, is what means organizations like ours maintain guardrails around our decisions. Even as we operate in a very different world to ones of decades past, we’re recognizable, and our work is extensive and impactful, because our principles remain consistent.Take neutrality. It allows our network to reach people others cannot. It allows us to stay when access narrows and pressure intensifies. It keeps our focus where it belongs – on the consequences of crises, not on assigning blame.Impartiality and independence are just as essential. They are what allow communities to see the Red Cross and Red Crescent as their own, rather than as an extension of any government, donor or agenda. Without that trust, access erodes. Without access, response becomes impossible.This is why Renewal is not a departure from who we are. It is a continuation of the founding vision of 5 May 1919 – a belief that a strong humanitarian network must be anchored in local action, global solidarity and shared principles. Renewal is about deepening localization. It is about focusing our efforts where our impact is greatest. It is about being more agile, more accountable, and more transparent in how we use resources entrusted to us. It is about using technology unimaginable in the past to enhance the very things our founders believed most essential.Renewal is also about shifting even further away from notions of community-dependency towards local ownership – supporting National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to lead, not follow, and ensuring that international support strengthens, rather than replaces, local capacity. Renewal means doing things differently, but always doing them with the same integrity our network has always held central.Choices ahead will not be easy. Which country gets support and which doesn’t? Who gets prioritized and who doesn’t? How do we apply our principles of impartiality when the fundings get even more earmarked? While we grapple with these questions, we must be absolutely clear about what does not change.Efficiency and principles as well as speed and trust must go hand in hand. A humanitarian system that modernises but loses credibility with communities is not stronger – it is weaker.More than a century after our founding, our relevance will be measured by whether people still trust the Red Cross and Red Crescent on their doorstep. Renewal is how we protect that trust for the future – by becoming more local, more focused and more accountable, while remaining true to the values that have sustained our network for generations.

Joint statement from ICRC President and IFRC President to mark World Red Cross Red Crescent Day

This World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day comes at a moment of profound alarm. Across conflicts and crises, we are witnessing a dangerous erosion of the very values and safeguards designed to preserve human life and dignity.Too many of our colleagues have been killed - some while driving ambulances, working in hospitals and responding to emergencies; others while helping people in their own communities. We honour them and mourn alongside their families, loved ones and colleagues.These deaths are not isolated tragedies. They are part of a broader pattern of disregard for international humanitarian law, for the protection owed to medical and humanitarian personnel, and for the rules that help preserve human dignity in some of the darkest times. When those who care for the wounded, evacuate the injured or keep health services running are attacked, the loss goes far beyond individual lives. Communities lose a lifeline. Trust is shaken. Our shared humanity is diminished.And yet, in armed conflicts, disasters and other crises worldwide, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff continue to stand with people in need - often in the same places where they live, raise their families and face the same dangers as those around them. Their presence is a powerful expression of humanity in action.On this 8 May, we call on all those with influence and responsibility to uphold the protections that civilians, medical personnel, humanitarian workers and communities depend on. Respect for the emblems, for humanitarian rules and principles, is therefore essential.Today, we also say to colleagues across our Movement: we see you, we thank you and we stand with you. At a time when division, violence and disregard for human suffering are testing the limits, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement remains united in humanity.See the menu bar above right to read the message in Arabic, French and Spanish. Click the links below to read the message in Chinese, Portuguese and Russian. Chinese | 中文红十字国际委员会主席与红十字会与红新月会国际联合会主席关于世界红十字与红新月日的联合声明值此世界红十字与红新月日之际，我们为全球局势深感担忧。在各类冲突与危机中，我们目睹着一种危险的趋势：旨在维护人类生命与尊严的基本价值观与保障，正在遭到侵蚀。我们众多同事不幸殉职——有些人在驾驶救护车、在医院工作或开展应急救援时牺牲；有些人在自己的社区救助民众时惨遭不幸。我们向他们致敬，并与他们的家人、亲人和同事一同沉痛哀悼。他们的牺牲绝非孤立事件，而是反映出一种普遍现象：国际人道法遭到践踏、医护人员和人道工作者应享有的保护受到漠视、那些在至暗时刻维护人类尊严的规则遭到破坏。当救治伤员、撤离伤者或维持医疗服务运转的人员遭到攻击时，损失远不止于个体生命的消逝。社区失去了生命线，信任崩塌瓦解，我们共同守护的人道亦随之减损。然而，即便如此，在世界各地的武装冲突、灾害和其他危机中，红十字与红新月志愿者和工作人员始终坚守在需要帮助的民众身边——他们往往就生活在这些地方，养育着自己的家人，与其他民众面临同样的危险。他们的存在，正是人道行动最有力的体现。值此5月8日之际，我们呼吁所有具有影响力、肩负责任的各方，共同维护平民、医务人员、人道工作者以及社区赖以生存的各项保护。对红十字与红新月标志的尊重，对人道规则与原则的尊重，因而至关重要。今天，我们也要向整个运动全体同仁致以心声：你们的付出，我们时刻铭记；你们的坚守，我们心怀感激；我们与你们并肩同行。在这个分裂加剧、暴力横行、人类苦难遭到漠视的时代，人类的底线不断经受考验，但红十字与红新月运动始终凝心聚力，矢志人道，携手同行。 Portuguese | PortuguêsDeclaração conjunta da presidente do CICV e da presidente da FICV para marcar o Dia Mundial da Cruz Vermelha e do Crescente VermelhoEste Dia Mundial da Cruz Vermelha e do Crescente Vermelho chega nem um momento de profunda preocupação. Em meio a conflitos e crises, testemunhamos uma perigosa erosão dos próprios valores e salvaguardas concebidos para preservar a vida e a dignidade humanas.Muitos dos nossos colegas foram mortos – alguns enquanto dirigiam ambulâncias, trabalhavam em hospitais e respondiam a emergências; outros enquanto ajudavam pessoas nas suas próprias comunidades. Hoje lhes prestamos uma homenagem e lamentamos junto com as suas famílias, entes queridos e colegas.Estas mortes não são tragédias isoladas. Fazem parte de um padrão mais amplo de desrespeito pelo Direito Internacional Humanitário (DIH), pela proteção devida ao pessoal médico e humanitário e pelas normas que ajudam a preservar a dignidade humana em alguns dos momentos mais sombrios. Quando as pessoas que cuidam dos feridos, evacuam os lesionados ou mantêm os serviços de saúde em funcionamento são atacadas, a perda vai muito além das vidas individuais. As comunidades perdem um recurso vital. A confiança é abalada. A nossa humanidade compartilhada é diminuída.No entanto, em conflitos armados, desastres e outras crises no mundo todo, o voluntariado e as equipes da Cruz Vermelha e do Crescente Vermelho continuam ao lado de quem mais precisa – muitas vezes nos mesmos lugares onde vivem, criam as suas famílias e enfrentam os mesmos perigos que as pessoas ao seu redor. A presença deles é uma poderosa expressão de humanidade em ação.Neste 8 de maio, fazemos um apelo a todos com influência e responsabilidade para que defendam as proteções das quais civis, comunidades, equipes saúde e humanitárias dependem. Respeitar os emblemas, as normas e os princípios humanitários é, portanto, fundamental.Hoje, também queremos dizer aos colegas de todo o nosso Movimento: nós vemos vocês, agradecemos a vocês e estamos com vocês. Em um momento em que a divisão, a violência e o desprezo pelo sofrimento humano testam os limites, no Movimento da Cruz Vermelha e do Crescente Vermelho humanidade ainda nos une. Russian | русский Совместное заявление президента МККК и президента МФОККиКП по случаю Международного дня Красного Креста и Красного ПолумесяцаВ этом году Международный день Красного Креста и Красного Полумесяца отмечается в атмосфере сильнейшей тревоги. В самых разных конфликтах и кризисных ситуациях мы становимся свидетелями ослабления защитных механизмов и опасного размывания именно тех ценностей, которые призваны сохранять человеческую жизнь и достоинство.Слишком много наших коллег погибло: водителей скорой помощи, врачей и медсестер в больницах, спасателей, разбиравших завалы, и тех, кто раздавал гуманитарную помощь. Мы чтим их память и скорбим вместе с их родными, близкими и товарищами по работе.И это не какие-то отдельные трагические происшествия. Это часть одного сценария, для которого характерно пренебрежение международным гуманитарным правом, защитой, на которую имеют право медицинские и гуманитарные работники, и правовыми нормами, помогающими сохранить достоинство человека даже в самые мрачные времена. Когда те, кто заботится о раненых, эвакуирует пострадавших или обеспечивает работу системы здравоохранения, подвергаются нападениям, ущерб не ограничивается гибелью отдельных людей. Целые сообщества остаются без помощи. Подрывается доверие. Объединяющая всех нас гуманность ослабевает.И тем не менее повсюду в мире во время вооруженных конфликтов, стихийных бедствий, технологических катастроф и других кризисных ситуаций добровольцы и сотрудники Красного Креста и Красного Полумесяца не оставляют без поддержки тех, кто в ней нуждается, — нередко там же, где они живут, растят детей и подвергаются таким же опасностям, что и все окружающие. Их работа представляет собой яркое проявление гуманности в действии.В этот день 8 мая мы призываем всех, кто обладает влиянием и на кого возложена ответственность, соблюдать нормы, предоставляющие защиту гражданскому населению, медицинскому персоналу, гуманитарным работникам и другим категориям лиц. Уважение к эмблемам и соблюдение гуманитарных норм и принципов имеет поистине жизненно важное значение.Сегодня мы также обращаемся ко всем нашим коллегам по Движению: мы рядом с вами, мы ценим все, что вы делаете, и благодарны вам. Сейчас, когда разногласия, насилие и пренебрежение к страданиям людей размывают границы допустимого, Красный Крест и Красный Полумесяц остаются едиными в своей гуманности.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026: United in Humanity. Volunteers at the heart of communities in Cameroon, Gabon and Sao Tome and Principe.

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026: United in Humanity. No Matter Where, No Matter When

The 2026 'El Niño': How are we preparing for its impact on Latin America and the Caribbean?

Weather models indicate that a strong 'El Niño' is imminent, which could result in temperature increases of over 2°C or 3°C in the Pacific Ocean. While every 'El Niño' event is unique, historical records indicate that its onset brings an increased risk of severe droughts in Central America and torrential rains in the Southern Cone. In this context, proactive action and disaster preparedness are our best tools for coping with this phenomenon. In this article, based on a recent conversation between Juan Bazo, a meteorologist at the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre, and Estefany Jiménez, Communications Officer for the IFRC in the Americas, we break down the scientific evidence and the actions needed to protect the most vulnerable communities in the face of this multi-hazard scenario. 1. Why is there talk of a 'Super El Niño' this year? For the 'El Niño' phenomenon to be officially declared, the temperature of the Pacific Ocean need only rise 0.5°C above the historical average. Forecasts indicate that we could expect increases of between 2°C and 3°C in the central Pacific in 2026. It is these expected values that have led to terms such as 'Super El Niño' being used to describe a strong 'El Niño ', as was the case in 2015 with 'Godzilla El Niño'. The transition from cooling conditions (La Niña) to extreme warming has been much faster than usual, forcing humanitarian organizations such as the IFRC to scale up their preparedness levels immediately.2. What impact would a 'El Niño' have on Central America and the Caribbean?'El Niño' does not affect the entire continent in the same way. One of the greatest concerns in the north is the reduction in rainfall. In Central America and the Caribbean, 'El Niño' typically manifests as a significant reduction in cumulative rainfall. This does not mean there is no rain at all, but rather that the pattern of precipitation is irregular and insufficient to sustain traditional agricultural cycles. The Central American Dry Corridor is one of the regions where the impact is particularly severe, with prolonged water deficits directly threatening food security and the livelihoods of thousands of families. Water scarcity affects not only crops but also increases public health risks related to access to safe water and hygiene. 3. What effects could be expected from a 'El Niño' in South America?Unlike in the north, 'El Niño' has the opposite effect in the southern part of the continent. While countries such as Colombia, Venezuela and northern Brazil face drier conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, regions in southern Brazil, Uruguay, northern Argentina and central Chile must prepare for above-average rainfall. This geographical contrast within the same continent means that the Red Cross and its partners must implement different strategies. 4. What is the forecast for the hurricane season under the 'El Niño' 2026?Historically, there has been a direct correlation between the presence of a strong 'El Niño' phenomenon and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. However, this statistic should not be interpreted as a signal to let our guard down. Although the total number of storms may be lower, current atmospheric conditions are highly dynamic. Just one tropical storm developing and making landfall can devastate entire communities.In the Pacific, where hurricanes also occur, rising sea temperatures combined with changes in wind patterns caused by 'El Niño' can create conditions that are more favorable for storm formation. Regardless of the forecast, decades of the Red Cross supporting communities exposed to hurricanes have made it clear that the most efficient, effective and ethical approach is to invest in preparedness and early action initiatives to protect more communities and their livelihoods. 5. How can we prepare before the impacts hit?The Red Cross network's main strategy for addressing this phenomenon is anticipatory action, which refers to any action taken before a crisis occurs with the aim of preventing or reducing the potential impacts of a disaster. The Climate Centre collaborates with National Societies to update Early Action Protocols, enabling the immediate release of emergency funding when specific scientific thresholds are met. For countries that do not yet have these formal protocols, the IFRC network offers technical assistance tools and access to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) for imminent events. The aim is to anticipate risks, strengthen preparedness and use scientific evidence to protect households, ensure effective humanitarian assistance and safeguard community health before the effects of 'El Niño' peak.Where can I find more information?OurEarly Warning, Early ActionpageRed Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre websiteAnticipation Hub websiteAnticipatory Pillar of the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund

Local volunteers and new energy sources power the Cuban Red Cross’s response to Hurricane Melissa six months after the storm 

“We’re always afraid that another storm is on the way.” Spending time with Carine, a volunteer supporting families affected by the strong winds in Gabon.

Statement: IFRC saddened by the deaths of three DRC Red Cross Volunteers in Ituri Province

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva, 23 May 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the deaths of three volunteers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross (DRC RC) in Mongbwalu branch, Djugu Territory, Ituri Province.We extend our heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, fellow volunteers and colleagues. We stand in solidarity with the DRC Red Cross during this difficult time.The volunteers — Alikana Udumusi Augustin, Sezabo Katanabo, and Ajiko Chandiru Viviane — are believed to have contracted the Ebola virus on duty, while carrying out dead body management activities on 27 March as part of a humanitarian mission unrelated to Ebola. At the time of the intervention, the community was not aware of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, and the outbreak had not yet been identified. They are among the first known victims of the outbreak.The dates of death are as follows:Ajiko Chandiru Viviane – 5 MaySezabo Katanabo – 15 MayAlikana Udumusi Augustin – 16 MayThese volunteers lost their lives while serving their communities with courage and humanity.Their commitment reflects the extraordinary dedication shown every day by Red Cross volunteers working in complex and high-risk environments to support vulnerable people.The IFRC and the DRC Red Cross, together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), remain committed to supporting affected communities and strengthening efforts to respond to the outbreak.For more information, please contact: [email protected] Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367 Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 8396

Heat Action Day 2026: Taking on the dangers of indoor heat

At a school on the Unguja Island, part of the Tanzanian archipelago known as Zanzibar, volunteers from the Tanzania Red Cross Society explain to a classroom full of students how to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat.The volunteers’ efforts were part of a larger heatwave awareness campaign in early 2026, led by the Tanzanian Red Cross, that has reached more than 4,000 people in schools, madrasas, markets, and communities around the island.This is just one of many ways Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world regularly work to protect people from the dangers of extreme heat – including the very particular dangers of indoor heat.Why focus on indoor heat?When thinking about or preparing for heatwaves, people often think of blistering days outside in the hot sun. But people living or working indoors, in uncooled or poorly ventilated spaces, can sometimes be at even greater risk of heat stroke, dehydration and other heat-related risks.Those most susceptible to rising body temperatures — children and the elderly — are particularly vulnerable and, often, they must spend long periods of the day inside.These are some of the reasons Heat Action Day 2026 focuses on ‘indoor heat’— putting the spotlight on the health risks people face inside their homes, schools, workplaces, care facilities, transport hubs, prisons and even public vechiles such as busses and taxis. (Learn more about how to #BeatTheHeat and about how to take part in Heat Action Day 2026.)This threat is nothing new to Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers who often go door-to-door during heatwaves, visiting people who live in densely populated urban neighborhoods, work in poorly insulated industrial areas, or live in camps for people displaced by emergencies.Very often, such facilities or temporary shelters lack insulation or access to energy or water sources that can help keep people cool. Building materials, design characteristics, and urban heat island all play a role in determining indoor temperatures.Rising risksWithout respite and access to cooling, high day- and night-time indoor temperatures pose significant health risks, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Beyond heat stroke, high temperatures can have a wide range of health effects.According to a 2020 study, for example, high indoor temperatures affect multiple aspects of human health, with the strongest evidence for respiratory health, diabetes management and core schizophrenia and dementia symptoms, according to one 2020 study.Other studies show that prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures is also responsible for sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment of workers, reduced learning uptake in students, and domestic violence.More research needs to be done, however, so policy makers, urban planners and architects can better understand how to reduce extreme urban heat. At the same time, building standards and indoor heat policies need urgent updates. In many places, indoor heat standards do not exist, or they overlook vulnerable populations and climate projections.The good news is that it is possible to improve the way buildings and public spaces are designed and constructed to better protect people living and working indoors. Meanwhile, more governments, agencies and communities are taking action. For example: painting roofs white, keeping windows covered during the hottest times of day, and using passive cooling at night when temperatures outside cool down.There are also many low-cost actions one can take to cool the body: a cool shower, submerging feet in cool water, self-dousing with water, using an evaporative cooler or misting fan, ingesting cold water, wearing clothing made from natural fibres, and sleeping with a wet sheet, among other measures.As part of its 2026 Heat Action Day activation, the IFRC also encourages people to proactively reach out to support the elderly and chronically ill during times of extreme heat, especially those with limited mobility who may need help getting to a cooler space.How can you take part in Heat Action Day?As the organization that created Heat Action Day, the IFRC each year encourages more and more activities to raise awareness and encourage people to take concrete action to prevent heat related illness and death.Whether you're sharing life-saving tips on social media or organizing a community event, there are many ways to get involved and help#BeatTheHeat. Learn more here and register to participate and create your own Heat Action Day event or activity.

Time stood still: A humanitarian’s story from ‘Black Wednesday’ in Lebanon

IFRC mourns the passing of former President Tadateru Konoe

Geneva, 27 May 2026:The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Tadateru Konoe, former President of the IFRC and former President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, who died on 23 May 2026 at the age of 87.With the passing of Mr. Konoe, we have lost one of the most devoted and compassionate leaders — a man whose life was defined by humanity, humility, and service to others.For more than five decades, Mr. Konoe dedicated his entire life to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Joining the Japanese Red Cross Society at the age of 25, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to alleviating suffering and supporting people affected by disasters, crises, and conflicts around the world. Through decades of service in both the Japanese Red Cross Society and the IFRC, often in the field and close to communities, he developed a profound belief in the power of humanity, solidarity, and compassion.As President of the Japanese Red Cross Society from 2005, Mr. Konoe led the Japanese Red Cross to successfully deliver urgent and effective assistance in several emergencies, including the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear plant accident in Fukushima in 2011.Elected President of the IFRC in 2009 and again in 2013, Mr. Konoe worked tirelessly to strengthen cooperation across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, reinforce the resilience and capacity of National Societies, and uphold integrity and accountability in humanitarian action – at all times embodying the “Spirit of Togetherness”. His longstanding advocacy for the elimination of nuclear weapons reflected his deep conviction that humanity must never again endure such suffering.Those who knew and worked alongside Mr. Konoe will remember not only his remarkable leadership but also his kindness, gentleness, and quiet presence.In recognition of his extraordinary service and unwavering commitment to humanity, Mr. Konoe was awarded the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest distinction of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.The IFRC joins the Japanese Red Cross Society, the wider Red Cross Red Crescent family, and countless friends and colleagues around the world in mourning his loss.We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those whose lives were touched by his extraordinary humanity.Mr. Konoe’s legacy will endure in the millions of lives reached through the humanitarian work he championed, and in the values of humanity and compassion to which he devoted his life.For more information, please contact:[email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367

Op-Ed: The weight of an emblem that no longer shields

The weight of an emblem that no longer shieldsByXavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Coordination with The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are meant to signal neutrality, humanity, and protection. When they are not respected, the consequences are profound, not just for those who wear them, but for all of those in need.I have just returned from successive missions to Iran Lebanon, Syria, Jordan. What has stayed with me most is not only the scale of needs, it is the conditions and the psychological strain under which our volunteers are working.Weeks of intense hostilities in Iran and Lebanon have left health facilities, businesses and schools across both countries damaged or destroyed. Entire communities are struggling to access basic services, and the long-term consequences are only beginning to unfold. Millions are displaced.Amid this devastation, the reach and capability of our National Societies is extraordinary. In Iran, teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society spoke of how their experience responding to floods and earthquakes has shaped their ability to carry out search and rescue in bombed neighbourhoods, pulling survivors from rubbles, often within minutes of an attack.I met a rescue team that had just lost a colleague in a so-called “double-tap” strike, where a second attack hits the same site as rescuers arrive. Five others were injured. They spoke calmly, professionally. But the weight of what they had experienced was unmistakable.In Lebanon, this is felt just as sharply.In Beirut, Tyre and Saida, I met volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross working around the clock in a deepening humanitarian crisis. I was struck watching teams prepare to respond to strikes, putting on heavy flak jackets and helmets before getting into ambulances.You cannot help but ask: what must it be like to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) under that weight? To try to save a life while fearing for your own is something no one should have to bear.I saw how volunteers embrace each other before they leave their compound. They do so out of a genuine affection for each other, but also in the knowledge they may never return. Some have even endured strikes inside their own compounds. During our short visit to Tyre, there were three strikes in the surrounding area. We watched colleagues head out towards the danger, knowing the risks, and going anyway.This is the impossible weight our volunteers now carry. Some of them are displaced living in shelters and supporting in health care, mental health, protection and community engagement.Sadly, this is not an isolated reality. It reflects a broader and deeply alarming trend. In the first five months of 2026, 18 volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have already lost their lives, nine in violent attacks. This includes six of our colleagues from Iran and Lebanon that have been killed while simply trying to protect and save others.Our emblems must mean something again. Because without them, when those who save lives are no longer safe, the consequences will be felt by us all.

Uneven rains, unequal impact: Drought and hunger in Northern Kenya. The IFRC and the Kenya Red Cross respond.

IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund 2026 Annual Plan