Nigeria: Diphtheria outbreak
Since December 2022, Nigeria has been dealing with a severe outbreak of Diphtheria, resulting in 471 deaths, over 7,400 confirmed cases and 12,000 suspected cases as of 28 September 2023. The outbreak has risen sharply since July 2023, with over 1,000 new cases identified every week. Kano state is the main center of the outbreak, now spreading across 19 states. Active case finding, contact tracing, and vaccination remain low in these areas. To combat the outbreak, the IFRC and its membership hope to raise CHF 6 million to support the Nigeria Red Cross in scaling up its response in 12 states.
Sudan crisis: Regional population movement
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led hundreds of thousands of people—many of whom are women, children and older people—to flee the countryto find safety across borders. Those arriving in neighbouring countries have experienced dire humanitarian conditions. Many have been caught in the crossfire and struggled to access food, water, and health services for some time. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Ethiopia and Libya to provide essential humanitarian assistance to people fleeing Sudan.
Zambia: Cholera Outbreak
A cholera outbreak in Zambia, first reported in October 2023, has seen a dramatic increase in transmission since mid-December. The country has now recorded more than 7,000 cases and 270 deaths, with over 500 new cases daily. The IFRC and its membership seek CHF 4 million (CHF 3 million of which is expected to be raised by the IFRC Secretariat) to support the Zambia Red Cross Society to reach 3.5 million people with life-saving assistance.
Armenia: Population movement
Tens of thousands of people have crossed into Armenia via the Lachin corridor leaving everything behind, since the deadly escalation of hostilities. Food, essential services, and medicines are scarce and telecommunications services have been disrupted, making it hard for families to contact one another. The IFRC and its membership are seeking CHF 20 million (of which the IFRC Secretariat seeks CHF 15 million) to support the Armenian Red Cross to meet the needs of families arriving at humanitarian service points including food, water, first aid, and much-needed psychosocial support. Please donate now.
Sudan: Complex emergency
Fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) broke out in the capital, Khartoum, on 15 April and spread rapidly across the country. More than 1,000 people have died and hundreds of thousands of people are internally displaced or have fled across borders to neighbouring countries to escape the violence.Through this Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to people in at-risk locations and on the move.
Malawi: Tropical Storm Freddy floods
Tropical Storm Freddy ripped through southern Malawi on 12 March, bringing 300-400mm of rainfall in the first 48 hours alone. The rains brought sudden, violent and destructive flash floods and landslides which have caused extensive damage to, and in some cases completely washed away, homes, schools, health centres, agricultural lands and infrastructure. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Malawi Red Cross to meet urgent shelter, health, water, sanitation and hygiene needs. Together, our aim is to help 160,000 affected people recover in a safe and dignified manner, and help them improve their resilience to future shocks.
Syria: Earthquakes
A devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southeastTürkiye, close to the border with Syria, in the early hours of 6 February. It was followed by several aftershocks, killing thousands and injuring many more in the region. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) is assisting affected people by distributingfood, household items, shelter support and cash assistance. Volunteers are also providing health services, access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and hygiene products. Through this appeal, the IFRC is supporting SARC to meet people's immediate and early recovery needs in an already complex humanitarian setting.
South Africa: Floods and landslides
Deadly floods and landslides have devastated South Africa following three days of pounding rain in April 2022, prompting the country to declare a National State of Disaster. More than 100,000 people have been affected, thousands of homes have been destroyed and hundreds of people have tragically lost their lives. The worst affected areas are in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. Through this emergency appeal, the IFRC is supporting the South African Red Cross Society to provide relief activities to 30,000 of the most affected people to meet their immediate needs and help them recover.
Tonga: Volcano and tsunami
On 15 January, a violent eruption occurred at the Hunga Tonga Hunga Ha’api volcano in Tonga. The volcanocaused a Pacific-wide tsunami, swamping coastlines as far away as Peru, and released a cloud of ash billowing more than 20km high. Many houses in Tonga were completely or partially destroyed, and ashfall and saltwater intrusion threaten people's health, agriculture and the local ecosystem. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Tonga Red Cross Society to meet the immediate, early and long-term needs of the most vulnerable people affected.
Lebanon: Complex emergency
Lebanon has been facing an evolving complex humanitarian crisis since late 2019, generating widespread and growing needs for assistance and protection. Two powerful explosions occurred at the Port of Beirut on 4 August 2020, leaving devastating impacts while the country grapples with overlapping economic and financial crises, political volatility and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The country is also hosting the highest refugee population per capita in the world.
Democratic Republic of the Congo: Population Movement
For almost two years, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in particular North Kivu, has been facing a devastating conflict that has intensified and become increasingly complex over time, with the potential to reach unprecedented levels in North Kivu. This crisis is characterized by a multitude of armed actors, a large, displaced population and an even larger population in need of humanitarian aid. The IFRC and its membership seek CHF 50 million (CHF 30 million expected to be raised by the IFRC Secretariat) to support the DRC Red Cross in its provision of food assistance, health services, water, sanitation and hygiene and protection services to 500,000 displaced people and their host communities in North and South Kivu.
Myanmar: Cyclone Mocha
Cyclone Mocha made landfall in Myanmar on 14 May as a category 4 tropical cyclone, bringing winds of up to 250 km/h, heavy rains, storm surges, flash floods, and landslides. It is the strongest cyclone in the Bay of Bengal in the last 10 years, and causedsignificant damage to people's homes, infrastructure, and power and water services. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Myanmar Red Cross Society to expand its provision of immediate relief, essential livelihood support and early recovery activities.
Nigeria: Floods
Nigeria is experiencing the worst flooding in at least a decade. The floods have damaged homes, infrastructure and large areas of farmland across the country. More than 600 people have died and an estimated 2.8 million people have been affected, many of whom have been displaced from their communities.Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Nigeria Red Cross Society to reach 500,000 affected people with multi-purpose cash assistance, health services, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) support, and emergency shelter assistance.
Africa: Hunger crisis
Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing one of the most alarming food crises in decades—immense in both its severity and geographic scope.Roughly 146 million people are suffering from acute food insecurity and require urgent humanitarian assistance. The crisis is driven by a range of local and global factors, including insecurity and armed conflict, extreme weather events, climate variability and negative macroeconomic impacts. Through this regional Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across Africa to protect the lives, livelihoods and prospects of millions of people.
Sri Lanka: Complex emergency
An economic crisis and a ban on synthetic fertiliser in Sri Lanka have sparked civil unrest and food insecurity across the country.Severe food shortages are expected within the coming months, along with shortages of fuel, cooking gas and medicines. Many people are resorting to emergency coping strategies, such as withdrawing their children from school or selling their assets. Through this Emergency Appeal, the IFRC is supporting the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to provide livelihoods and basic needs assistance, as well as safe drinking water and hygiene services, to 500,000 of the most vulnerable people