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In South Asia, more than 25 million people have been battling four crises in one year. Floods came as COVID-19 and climate change worsened poverty and loss of livelihoods. Thousands of villages have been submerged for months. In north Bangladesh, homes and crops have been destroyed four times. Some of the worst floods in decades followed a cyclone that already caused widespread devastation.
Ahead of these disasters, Red Cross and Red Crescent has twice provided early action emergency cash, helping more than 35,000 people most at risk to evacuate safely and recover quicker. This forecast-based action is also being embraced by the United Nations and other agencies as a critical step to address the growing needs of millions of people at the mercy of climate disasters.
Millions have been living in tarpaulin shelters on road sides and any high ground available, as their homes have been under water for months. At one point more than half of Bangladesh was submerged. The floods have also affected millions of farmers, destroying crops and threatening to push millions of people, already badly impacted by COVID-19, further into poverty and food insecurity.
These floods are testing the resilience of some of the world’s most fragile communities, who have long been trying to escape poverty. Having borrowed money to build a home for his young family only four months ago, 35-year-old Sumon is now faced with a repair bill he can little afford, and ongoing unemployment due to the floods and COVID-19.
Khadiza, 19, was forced to leave her house with her two sons – three-months and two-and-a-half years old – when the floodwaters submerged their village in northern Bangladesh. The country has seen three devastating monsoon flood seasons in the past four years. In 2019, more than seven million people were swamped while in 2017 over eight million people were severely affected, losing homes and livelihoods.
These floods and water-borne diseases that follow in their wake are putting increased pressure on health-care systems stretched to the limit and struggling to cope with COVID-19. Red Cross and Red Crescent health teams are supporting the most at risk communities to have access to basic healthcare.
Janina Begum, 60, came back from her roadside tarpaulin shelter to check on her home that had been submerged for two months. While some people are looking to rebuild, Bangladesh’s monsoon season is far from over and the threat of new flooding hangs in the air. These threats have multiplied with climate disasters happening more often in Asia, the most disaster-prone area in the world.
Asharam, 60 unpacks relief items after returning to his home that had been completely submerged in Mahangu Pure village, Uttar Pradesh, northern India. More than 20 million people have been devastated by the floods in India, mainly in Assam, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, with many already poorer communities losing their homes and livelihoods.
Indian Red Cross and Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers are doing all they can to provide relief in the most difficult circumstances they have ever faced. The volunteers say they have a duty to support people, who are tackling growing hardships caused by the floods, poverty, COVID-19 and the increasing effects of climate change.
Mossamet Sahera, 60, had her home washed away. Sahera was living in a small hut next door to her sister. Her husband left her when she was young because she had a physical disability. Sahera and her sister face an uncertain future.
Photos: AJ Ghani (Bangladesh), Rohan Chakravarty (India) and Emon Arafin, (Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteers).
The Green Logistics Guide provides advice and practical tips on how to improve the environmental sustainability of National Societies' and the IFRC'slogistics and supply functions.
The guide covers a range of subjects, all aimed at reducing carbon emissions, reducing waste, or reducing our environmental footprint in other ways. There are examples from across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and references to find further guidance
This joint report by the IFRC and theGlobal Child Protection Area of Responsibilityoffers a series of practical actions to improve the protection of children in Eastern and Southern Africa during climate-related disasters.
It is based on analysis from an online survey conducted between July to December 2021 with children and young people aged between 10 and 30, as well as individual interviews.
Learn more about the IFRC's work onclimate-related disastersandprotection.
Every four years, the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) provides a window of opportunity to advance the goals of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) and drive meaningful change for refugees and other displaced people. Drawingon the experience of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as key stakeholders inimplementing the GCR, this brief highlights areas of acute need for refugees and other displaced people, showcases some of the creative solutions being implemented by National Societies, and sets out key recommendations for policy makers ahead of the GRF.
Geneva, 20 March 2023 - The following quotes can be attributed to Erin Coughlan de Perez, who is a Lead Author of one of the underlying reports from the IPCC synthesis report released today and IFRC expert on climate change.
“This report is a stark reminder of what we, the IFRC, as the world’s largest humanitarian network have been witnessing and warning for years: climate change is driving humanitarian crises and human suffering around the world. The window is closing, but the report also shows that it is not too late yet. It is time for the international community to take urgent action to reduce emissions to stay below the 1.5 degrees warming limit and work with communities to adapt and prepare for climate change impacts.
What is interesting about this report is that we usually talk about different parts of the climate crisis separately - reducing emissions, adapting to save lives, or responding to losses and damages. This report acknowledges that we need to do everything at once, and it gives a roadmap for how we can achieve this. That roadmap is not a simple one, where we just make a few minor changes and keep going with the status quo. Instead, it is a call to transformation - fundamentally altering society to achieve climate-resilient development.
The recent agreement at COP27 on loss and damage to establish new funding arrangements for vulnerable countries is a welcome step forward. However, progress on climate adaptation remains uneven, with the gaps between what is needed and what has been achieved being starkly felt by those living in lower-income countries.
More financial pledges are needed, and funds must reach the communities most affected, be predictable and flexible to invest in solutions such as early warning systems linked to community action plans to prevent and respond to climate impacts”.
To request an interview or for more information, please contact:
[email protected]
In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67
In Washington: Marie Claudet, +1 202 999 8689
On 6 February 2023, the South-East Anatolian region of Türkiye experienced two significant earthquakes which claimed more than 50,000 lives. Approximately three million people had to relocate, resulting in high levels of internal movement within the country.
Along with the host community, earthquakes severely impacted the living conditions of refugees in Türkiye. More than 2 million refugees under international protection (IP) and temporary protection (TP) used to reside in the 11 provinces affected by the earthquakes.
This report provides an analysis of focus group discussions conducted in May 2023. It aimed to explore:
Changes in the household compositions of refugees because of earthquakes and internal movements.
Changes in the living conditions of refugees in terms of access to basic needs such as health and education services, household expenditure and livelihood opportunities.
Observations of refugees on demographic changes in their neighbourhoods.
Perspectives of refugees on the future of the situation.
Respondents were selected among those who have been hosting a family from the earthquake region or who have left their homes because of the earthquake and currently residing with a family outside of the earthquake region. Of the 39 respondents who participated in the focus group discussions, 36 of them were receiving cash assistance via the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) Programme.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been the biggest disaster in living memory, on almost any measure. More than 6.5 million people are confirmed to have died in less than three years, and the pandemic’s indirect impacts have touched the lives of virtually every community on the planet.
Our World Disasters Report 2022 focuses on the coronavirus pandemic and preparedness: both the ways preparedness ahead of COVID-19 was inadequate, and how the world can prepare more effectively for future public health emergencies.
For the IFRC, preparedness encompasses preventing, responding to, and recovering from an emergency. Being truly prepared therefore means being ready to respond, to recover, and to learn lessons for next time. In other words, preparedness is an ongoing, continuous process.
We can save lives simply by being prepared. The next pandemic could be just around the corner: if the experience of COVID-19 won’t quicken our steps toward preparedness, what will?
This report is available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic below and in Russian here.You can also scroll down to download the executive summary or individual chapters in English.
As climate change is leading to more frequent disasters, children face many risks. These include separation from their families, psychosocial distress, SGBV, trafficking, missing school, premature adoption, losing essential documents, and not participating in decisions.
This IFRC study from 2020 found that many governments are missing or lack adequate laws, polices or regulations to protect children in disasters.
We need a transformative approach that focuses more on prevention not only response. The study recommends that Governments:
Ensure relevant ministries and agencies are mandated to have in place contingency plans fully covering child protection
Include child protection in relevant laws, regulations and policies on disaster risk management
Mandate the collection and analysis of age-, gender- and disability-disaggregated data as part of risk assessments and relevant processes
Draw inspiration, as appropriate, from the Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action’s Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Setting to cover key protection issues
Take a coordinated, multi-level and interactive approach to implementation of domestic laws involving child protection; this includes allocating a budget, training personnel, and working with local-level governments and agencies too
This report by the IFRC and Turkish Red Crescent examines the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on the lives of refugees benefitting from the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) Programme in Türkiye.
The report underlines that refugee families surveyed are facing major losses to employment. This, combined with the increase in living expenses, is a clear indication that there is an economic gap. Food was identified as a priority need, followed by cash assistance to cover rent and bills.
Please note this report was produced prior to the Republic ofTürkiye changing its name, and therefore refers to 'Turkey' throughout.
Our 2014 World Disasters Report looked at different aspects of how culture affects disaster risk reduction (DRR) and how disasters and risk influence culture. The report asks, for example, what should be done when people blame a flood on an angry goddess (River Kosi, India, in 2008) or a volcanic eruption on the mountain god (Mount Merapi).
After the tsunami in 2004, many people in Aceh (Indonesia) believed that Allah had punished them for allowing tourism or drilling for oil. And similar beliefs were widespread in the United States regarding Hurricane Katrina, showing God’s displeasure with aspects of the behaviour of the people who live in or visit New Orleans.
Most people who live in places that are exposed to serious hazards are aware of the risks they face, including earthquakes, tropical cyclones, tsunami, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides and droughts. Yet they still live there because, to earn their living, they need to or have no alternative. Coasts and rivers are good for fishing and farming; valley and volcanic soils are very fertile; drought alternates with good farming or herding.
Culture and beliefs, for example, in spirits or gods, or simple fatalism, enable people to live with risks and make sense of their lives in dangerous places. Sometimes, though, unequal power relations are also part of culture, and those who have little influence must inevitably cope with threatening environments.
In a fast changing, fragmented and unpredictable environment, the humanitarian sector must adapt to the complexity of today’s challenges. National Societies are accountable to the people they serve and are committed to act ethically and promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and ethical behavior.
They always have an obligation to deliver high quality services making use of resources in the most effective and efficient way in line with the Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the “Movement”).
Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, colleagues and friends,
I’m so pleased to be here in vibrant Nairobi.
You have always extended such warmth and enthusiasm every time I visit Africa.
Thank you for your unmatched hospitality.
I am grateful to Kenya Red Cross for hosting Pan African conference of the IFRC.
IFRC Vice President Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani, Chair of the PAC.
Governor Korir of the Kenya Red Cross.
Governing Board members,
Commission and Committee chairs of the IFRC, of the Standing Commission, Africa governance group,
Vice President of ICRC (continuing our proud history to invite ICRC to IFRC statutory meetings because we can be successful when we work together as a Movement),
National Society and youth leaders, staff and volunteers and the entire IFRC secretariat team. I want to particularly recognize the Africa team led by our Regional Director Mohammed Mukhier for working tirelessly to support the organization of the conference.
I pay tribute to all of you for your immense contributions to the IFRC network, today and always.
Your dedication to the communities we serve is unparalleled, especially through the recent growing complex crises across Africa. Let me join in solidarity with Morocco and Libya as they work hard to recover from two terrible disasters.
As we gather here today, I am struck by the rich tapestry of Africa’s history, cultures, and the extraordinary resilience and spirit of its people.
Yet, this comes with its own set of opportunities and challenges.
A continent of immense beauty and diversity, Africa presents us with a complex humanitarian landscape.
Africa is a place of paradoxes, where soaring aspirations uncomfortably co-exist with profound inequalities.
Humanitarian needs are growing each day, stretching the bounds of lives, livelihoods, and human dignity. Poverty, inequality, and political instability compound these humanitarian needs.
Economic challenges including high unemployment rates, limited industrialization, and a heavy reliance on primary commodities for export make many African nations vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets.
We continue to witness alarming hunger levels across the continent, with 167 million facing acute food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa, a 14% increase from 2022.
The impact of El Niño in 2023/2024, forecasts a 90% probability of flooding in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, alongside reduced rainfall in Southern Africa.
We know this will further exacerbate food insecurity in the coming years, as African food systems are very vulnerable to climate extremes and shifts in weather patterns.
Disease and epidemics are on the rise as a result.
Last year, 96 disease outbreaks were officially reported in 36 countries, with cholera, measles, and yellow fever being the most common.
As climate disasters worsen, 7.5 million people were displaced in Africa, the highest annual figure ever reported for the region.
And with the cascading effects of political instability in a number of countries, the number of people on the move have begun to climb as well, with 9 million people torn from their homes in 2022.
We cannot forget that behind these distressing statistics are actual people –women, men, and children with increasing needs and less resilience to cope.
These are the challenges that exist in a continent which is full of young and dynamic population full of unparalleled vibrancy and dynamism. It also has many beautiful tourist destinations.
This is a continent full of natural resources - minerals, oil and gas, timber, agricultural land, fisheries, renewable energy, gemstones, water resources, forestry products. Almost everything you can think of.
It makes me wonder how come a continent so full of resources is also facing so many challenges.
How can we contribute to addressing these humanitarian gaps?
Please allow me to share just three fundamental approaches that could help us to make a meaningful contribution to the people and communities in Africa.
First is Solidarity – Working together in partnerships:
We are bound together in our journey in search of a brighter future.
The expanding humanitarian needs push us to the brink, but our unwavering solidarity pulls us back and drives us forward.
Solidarity and commitment to our Strategy 2030 and Agenda for Renewal allows us to respond to multiple crises and disasters, build community resilience and strengthen localization in this region.
Just last month, I visited Gambia and Egypt to better understand the migration situation.
My conversations with volunteers, National Society and government leaders were eye opening.
When it comes to migration, Africa is a continent on the move.
This comes with positive benefits too—In Gambia migrants contribute to 20% of the country’s GDP.
To the rest of the world, the migration of Africans is often framed around their movement beyond Africa’s borders.
Yet the story of the millions of refugees and internally displaced people being hosted within Africa, which is more than 85%, is not acknowledged.
Through the IFRC’s Global Route-based Migration programme and humanitarian service points we witness how Africans are overwhelmingly supporting fellow Africans on the move.
Africans standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Africans, is a testament to our capacity to overcome adversity.
As we address urgent crises before us, it's our combined strength that forms our bedrock of hope.
Internal solidarity sometimes can be challenging. Let us not doubt ourselves in our commitment to solidarity. Let us foster trust and belief among ourselves.
Second is Solutions to scale- think big, act big:
Across Africa much progress has been made and the vast opportunities lie ahead.
34 countries, representing approximately 72% of Africa’s population, have demonstrated significant progress in governance over the last two decades, especially in the areas of rule of law, the protection of rights, and growth of civil society.
Africa’s great untapped potential is more visible than ever, with economic growth and investment in public services contributing to the improvement of millions of lives and transformation of societies.
The theme of this 10th Pan African Conference is renewing investment in Africa. I suggest that we make this investment people centric. You may want to consider calling it "renewing people-centric investment in Africa".
I encourage every one of us to consider how investments in National Societies, and especially in their young volunteers, can harness Africa’s agility and innovation that empowers people to address the needs when they come and continue to work to reduce humanitarian needs by building long term resilience in the communities.
For this, our Agenda for Renewal guides the IFRC to work for and with National Societies in everything we do.
We have invested in scaling up digitalization, risk management, new funding models for greater agility, accountability, and impact to reach the communities.
We foster learning and strengthen National Society capacities, so that we become leaders in the humanitarian field, not just in response but in resilience building, data, influence, collaboration, and innovation.
In 2020-2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, African National Societies came together with the IFRC secretariat to reach 450 million people with humanitarian services.
The REACH initiative between Africa CDC, the African Union and the IFRC comes with an ambition to scale up the community health workforce by two million and strengthening National Society capacity across the continent to address health needs.
These are solutions that are tailored to African communities, that reflect African needs and that can be measured by the outcomes we achieve for the people.
Let’s not play small. Let’s think big, let’s act big. Because that’s what it is needed now.
Third is Leadership – listen, learn and lead.
Our humanitarian action must make a positive difference in people’s lives.
In this era of fast paced change and shifting political divides, our leadership has never been more crucial.
Leadership to partner with others along equal and mutually reinforcing terms,
Leadership to position our National Societies as unparalleled community partner, with unmatched local intelligence and reach,
Leadership to engage in internal transformation,
Leadership to embody our Fundamental Principles,
Leadership to invest in young people--Africa’s most abundant and greatest resource--harness their skills, give them opportunities to lead us to a more just and equitable future.
Leadership to build trust, internally and externally, to be bold at communicating good news as well as challenges, to bring about collective energy and hope.
Leadership that doesn’t accept business as usual.
Leadership that strives for excellence in everything we do.
There will be ups and downs, but we will persist. This is what leadership is all about.
In our pursuit of a brighter future for Africa, let us hold ourselves to lead with accountability, not just to the challenges of today but also to the aspirations of tomorrow.
Let every action we take, every initiative we launch, and every partnership we forge be a testament to our unwavering commitment to the people.
I wish you a very productive Pan-African Conference.
And please allow me to conclude by sharing a quote from Nelson Mandela – «one of the things I learned when I was negotiating that until I changed myself, I couldn’t change others».
Let this conference give us the inspiration to be the real agent of change for the people of Africa.
Thank you.