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Epidemic preparedness and response success stories from the Programmatic Partnership

Epidemics and pandemics are some of the biggest threats to a safe and healthy world. But with effective preparedness and response measures, we can reduce their impacts and even stop them in their tracks.Through the Programmatic Partnership with the European Union, 24 local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been working to keep communities healthy and safe from epidemics and pandemics with technical assistance, advocacy support and coordination from IFRC and European National Societies. They do so by equipping communities with knowledge and tools to stop the spread of diseases and by setting up systems so they can report outbreaks quickly, enabling a rapid response from authorities. National Societies have also significantly developed their own epidemic preparedness and response capacity.Among countless successes, this report features seven powerful stories of how National Societies have improved epidemic preparedness and response around the world through the Programmatic Partnership.

27/06/2025 |

Islamic Republic of Iran: Red Crescent teams respond to urgent humanitarian needs

During the escalation of hostilities in the international armed conflict between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has had their emergency preparedness and response teams on the ground responding to humanitarian needs.In areas impacted by the conflict, Iranian Red Crescent relief teams have been conducting search and rescue operations as they look for people believed to be trapped under the debris of buildings damaged by airstrikes.To date, more than 8,200 relief and rescue personnel have been mobilized to deliver critical services across various regions. These include search and rescue teams, sniffer dog units, assessment teams, and debris removal specialists. IRCS crews have been combing through the debris and using sniffer dogs to rescue people trapped under the rubble. Meanwhile ambulance teams have provided urgent pre-hospital care and medical evacuations to nearby hospitals for people who have been injured.Moreover, psychological support teams and volunteers have been working on the ground to help survivors cope with trauma caused by the recent attacks. Additionally, the national psychological support hotline, now operating 24/7, has received over 72,000 calls, and more than 9,900 individuals have benefited from specialized mental health services.The IRCS Youth Organization’s BAVAR Teams are also actively engaging with affected communities to strengthen preparedness and local resilience through outreach and education.Meanwhile, safety teams have distributed emergency and safety kits and raised awareness about safety protocols that can save lives during missile attacks.The Iranian Red Crescent has also helped more than 1,100 people displaced by the fighting to find emergency accommodations.First responders under fireThe conflict has also led to the deaths of four Iranian Red Crescent emergency responders.To date, four IRCS staff members (Mehdi Zartaji, Mojtaba Maleki, Amir Hassan Jamshidpour and Yaser Zivari)have been killed in the line of duty, providing rescue and relief services in the provinces of Tehran (2), East Azerbaijan (1), and Hamedan (1).Two of those emergency responders were killed while driving an ambulance to assist people wounded in an earlier attack in the Shahid Baqeri Township in Tehran on 16 June 2025.‎ The damaged and badly burnt ambulance has been put on display in Tehran's Haft-e Tir Square as a public memorial to the lost ambulance crew.Update (2 July 2025): The Iranian Red Crescent Society has confirmed the death of another one of its members amid the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran. Seyyed Ali Akbar Mir Mohammadi, a volunteer relief worker, was killed in an attack while carrying out his humanitarian duties in Isfahan on 22 June 2025. This brings the total number of IRCS staff and volunteers killed during the conflict to 5.In addition, the Iranian Red Crescent says that more than two dozen aid workers were injured during the attacks and are currently unable to continue their relief efforts. IRCS ambulances, helicopters and buildings have also been damaged, according to the National Society.Humanitarian response continuesDespite these challenging conditions, the humanitarian response continues. Damaged infrastructure, blockades, and unsafe roads have hindered aid delivery and complicated coordination, especially given restrictions on regional flights.The presence of unexploded ordnance and other explosive remnants of war adds further danger for both civilians and aid workers, who are often operating in densely affected neighborhoods.Despite these grave challenges, the Iranian Red Crescent remains steadfast in its mission, delivering life-saving support and solidarity to communities in need.Their work is being supported in part by a one million Swiss Franc allocation from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), to provide immediate life-saving assistance to 200,000 people affected by the complex emergency.This funding directly supports the Iranian Red Crescent's coordinated search and rescue, emergency health services, and psychosocial support, and contributes to strengthening their overall capacity.

03/07/2025 |

Press release

Myanmar Earthquakes – 100 Days On

Yangon/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 3 July –A selection of photos isavailable: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~370ee1ab10This Sunday, 6 July, marks 100 days since two powerful earthquakes struck central Myanmar, killing more than 3,700 people, injuring thousands more, and affecting over 1.3 million people.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Myanmar Red Cross Society continue to respond to the devastating impact of the disaster, as it enters a new and critical phase.Red Cross teams are now seeing families begin to return home and restart their lives. But new threats are emerging, and urgent funding is needed to meet recovery needs.The next 100 days will shape how people move from survival to recovery.Spokespeople are available in Myanmar, Kuala Lumpur, and Geneva to mark the 100-day milestone and provide insights into the humanitarian situation and response.Limited interview slots are available on Sunday, 6 July. Spokespeople will also be available throughout the week of July 7.To request an interview or more information, contact: [email protected] Yangon: Swe Zin Myo Win, +95 979 595 6050In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367  Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

26/06/2025 |

Early detection and action stop a measles outbreak in Cameroon

“I was coughing. My eyes were red, and my nose was running. My skin had rashes.”7-year-old Djoubeda from Mayo-Oulo village in Cameroon’s North region was at home with her grandmother when she started showing worrying symptoms of measles.A highly contagious viral infection, measles spreads easily among the unvaccinated—with young children at highest risk. It’s a serious illness that can require hospital admission, cause permanent disability, and even kill if not treated properly. But thankfully help wasn’t far away. Local Cameroon Red Cross Society volunteer, Ramatou—affectionately known as Aunty Ramatou in the village—was called to come see little Djoubeda straight away.Ramatou had previously received training in how to recognize and prevent disease outbreaks, and how to quickly report any unusual health events to authorities, through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).“I received training on detecting diseases in the population. When I visited Djoubeda, I deduced her symptoms resembled measles and that inaction could spread it,” she explains.Without hesitation, Ramatou notified local health authorities of the suspected measles case using a digital community-based surveillance tool set up through the CP3 programme, then took Djoubeda straight to the nearest health centre.Within three days, tests confirmed that Djoubeda did indeed have measles. During that time, Ramatou and fellow CP3 volunteers got to work educating the community in Mayo-Oulo about measles signs and symptoms, how to prevent it from spreading, and how to report if they noticed something was wrong.Upon confirmation of measles, local health authorities immediately launched a mass vaccination campaign in and around the village—calling upon Cameroon Red Cross volunteers for their support in sharing trusted health information about the vaccines and encouraging families to bring their children along to be immunized.“It’s you, the Red Cross, going around to sensitize us. It’s because of people going around the village talking about vaccination that I brought him,” explains Maya Sylvie, a mother from Mayo-Oulo village who was supported by the Cameroon Red Cross to vaccinate her baby boy.To achieve herd immunity against measles and prevent recurring outbreaks, at least 95% of the population must be fully vaccinated. This vaccination campaign was therefore a huge joint effort between local health authorities and Cameroon Red Cross volunteers, who mobilized as many community members as possible to bring their children for their jabs. Thankfully, since this outbreak, local health authorities haven’t recorded any further measles cases.“We vaccinated nearly 500 children. What if this epidemic had not been stopped? Measles is deadly. We could have recorded a lot of deaths. After the Ministry vaccinated all the children, we have not had any more cases of measles,” explains Dr Laboulaye, Head of the Mayo-Oulo Health Centre.“I want to say to the Red Cross: thank you. Thank you for your support, for all your disease prevention activities and help with the response,” she adds.For Ramatou, learning the skills to quickly detect and report outbreaks in Mayo-Oulo was exactly why she wanted to volunteer in the first place:“I’ve lived here for over 30 years, since I was 6 years old. I became a CP3 volunteer to help my community. As a volunteer, my motivation is to save lives, ease pain, help the sick, and prevent diseases from spreading. What pleases me is that people listen, volunteers work well, the past diseases are gone and the community values and appreciates our efforts.”And as for little Djoubeda, she happily made a full recovery from measles and is grateful to Ramatou for being there for her when she was sick.“I was injected and given medicine. I got better and went back home. Aunty Ramatou, who wears the uniform, does her job well,” she says.---The activities featured in this article were delivered as part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) which ran from 2018-2025. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.    

02/07/2025 |

Red Cross and Red Crescent network supports the African Union and its Member States' commitment to eliminate cholera by 2030

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with its African National Society members, fully supports the African Union (AU) and its member states in their efforts to eliminate cholera across the continent. Forged during a high-level meeting of AU member states in June, this new commitment centers on strengthening community-based health services and epidemic preparedness, working closely with local communities to achieve lasting solutions.The IFRC commends the leadership and united commitment demonstrated by the Heads of State, Government, and Delegations, who gathered in June under the AU’s framework to advance a strong and coordinated response to the ongoing multi-country cholera outbreaks, which in 2025 are affecting approximately 20 Member States.The IFRC and its African National Society members, fully endorse the priorities outlined in the Call-to-Action to End Cholera and Achieve Elimination by 2030with particular emphasis on:• strengthening national and regional preparedness,• scaling up investments in sustainable water, sanitation and health (WASH) infrastructure,• placing communities and civil society at the heart of cholera elimination agenda.A deep community presenceAs auxiliary partners to public authorities in the humanitarian field, Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies in Africa bring unique value through their deep community presence, trusted local networks, and mandate to complement government action.With operations in all AU Member States, the IFRC and its African National Society members are uniquely positioned to deliver localised, people-centred responses that translate policy commitments into life-saving action.Recognising the cross-cutting impacts of cholera on already strained health systems—the Red Cross Red Crescent Network has scaled up its efforts to prevent, detect, and respond to outbreaks through high-impact, community-driven interventions such as:Community-based Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT): Delivered at the household level via Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs), ensuring timely access to lifesaving care. Emergency water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) interventions: Implemented in affected households and surrounding areas to stop transmission. Support to Oral Cholera Vaccination (OCV) campaigns: Including community mobilization, social mobilization, and logistics assistance. Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE): Embedded across all pillars of response to promote behaviour change, drive surveillance, and enable early action. Cross-border collaboration facilitated to prevent, control and recover from cholera outbreaks at community level in collaboration with local authorities.In addition, the IFRC hosts the Country Support Platform (CSP), the operational arm of the Global Task Force on Cholera Control, which supports AU Member States in developing and implementing National Cholera Plans, accessing technical expertise, and mobilizing domestic and external resources.Aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Framework for Cholera Elimination, IFRC is also investing in multi-hazard anticipatory action to prepare authorities, communities and other concerned stakeholders ahead of Cholera outbreaks.This is done in part through the development of Early Action Protocols, systems that trigger preparatory actions before a crisis hits. Such protocols empower African National Societies to act early by pre-positioning supplies, training volunteers, and accessing forecast-based financing enabling faster, more cost-effective responses before outbreaks escalate.With more than 3.8 million trained volunteers across Africa and a presence in every community, the Red Cross Red Crescent Network is well-positioned to bring life-saving interventions to those most at risk before, during and after outbreaks.Together, we can eliminate CholeraCholera is preventable, and together, we can eliminate it. Our volunteers are trusted members of the communities they serve. Through early action, health education, and emergency interventions, we are proud to contribute to this continental ambition to eliminate cholera and protect lives.Through these efforts, the IFRC and African National Societies reaffirm their unwavering commitment to support AU Member States in achieving national and continental targets for cholera control and elimination.The IFRC is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with the African Union Commission, Africa CDC, Member States, and other partners to build resilient health systems, empower communities, and end cholera as a threat to public health and development across the continent.Together, we can defeat cholera and ensure that no one is left behind.Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to disease prevention:IFRC’s approach to epidemic and pandemic preparednessLearn more about IFRC’s approach to emergency health

Community Engagement and Accountability Catalogue

Would you like to use CEA for your project, in an emergency or during institutionalisation processes? This catalogue provides a guide to help you determine which tools to use, how much time you will need, the level of experience required and the approximate budget. You will also find details of CEA training courses to help you specialise in this approach.

07/07/2025 |

IFRC Real Time Evaluation Guide and Procedures

This guide seeks to support quality and useful real time evaluations (RTEs) of emergency operations from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). RTEs are used at the IFRC to provide timely information during ongoing humanitarian operational response to field, regional and global managers to inform decision making in real time for improved service delivery, contributing to greater efficiency and effectiveness, and upholding accountability.

05/07/2025 |

At a small school in Myanmar’s Sagaing region, people find safe haven after a devastating earthquake

When 26-year-old Khin Su Wai walks through the shattered grounds of Yadana Theingi Nun Monastery School in Sagaing Region, the memories are painful, but her dedication to her work as a teacher remains unshaken.“I lost everything – my two sons, my husband, and my mother-in-law,” she says quietly.On 28 March 2025, a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar, destroying homes and turning entire communities to rubble. Yadana Theingi Nun Monastery School was among the hardest hit in Sagaing.Sixteen people lost their lives at school, including Khin’s loved ones. Khin has been a volunteer teacher at this school for more than 7 years.“I couldn’t eat or sleep. I didn’t even recognize myself in those early days,” she recalls.Yadana Theingi is not an ordinary monastic school. It is a place where internally displaced people from across Myanmar were hosted even before the earthquake happened. It is a sanctuary for over 100 students (ranging in age from 5 to 18) including novice monks, nuns, and children from diverse ethnic backgrounds such as Chin, Paluang, Shan, Burma, and Pa-O (from the Eastof the country).Everything changedAfter the earthquake, everything changed. Previously seated at desks in classrooms, the children now study on bare floors sharing only one whiteboard. When the main building collapsed, safe sleeping spaces also became limited.“There are not enough places for the children to sleep,” Khin explains. “We do what we can, but it’s very difficult.”In the immediate aftermath of the quake, volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross – many from communities hard hit by the quake – jumped into action.In response to community requests, they set up tents provided to IFRC by the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with funding from the Government of the Republic of Korea. These tents offered a critical, temporary safe place for people as they work toward rebuilding their livelihoods, homes and communities.Red Cross volunteers also installed tents in nearby places such as mosques and community areas in Poe Tan Quarter, Sagaing.A comprehensive response enters a critical phaseBut this is only a small part of the support the Myanmar Red Cross delivered. In five states and regions impacted by the quake (Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, southern part of Shan and eastern part of Bago), Red Cross volunteers provided tarpaulins, shelter kits, cash assistance, health care, mental health and psycho-social support, safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services, and many other forms of support.With support of theIFRC Emergency Appealand other International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, as well as other donors,the Myanmar Red Cross has so far reached close to 200,000 people with emergency shelter, health care, safe water, and cash assistance.This includes over 23,000 shelter kits, 6,000 family tents, and over 13,000 people reached with health care, including through mobile clinics.As we mark 100 days since the earthquake, the IFRC honors the dedication of Myanmar Red Cross volunteers – as well as volunteer teachers like Khin Su Wai – who have given so much to help their communities cope with these tragic events.The IFRC also calls for far greater support for its Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal in order to enable the Myanmar Red Cross to help more people rebuild their homes, re-establish livelihoods, and restore communities.The next 100 days will be a particularly critical phasegiven that rebuilding safe transitional shelter and sustainable livelihoods takes more time and investment than the early, emergency response phase. At the same time, the Myanmar Red Cross will be helping these communities prepare for potential future shocks.Unfortunately, as of now, the IFRC’s Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal has only garnered 22 per cent of the funds that would be needed to help the Red Cross achieve these goals.Reviving displaced dreamsAt the Yadana Theingi Nun Monastery School, the desire to rebuild is strong as many people yearn to get beyond relief and begin pursuing their real life dreams.“I want to help people rebuild the buildings safer,” says 16-year-old novice monk Khaw Gay Shwe, a student at the school. Khaw was displaced due to civil unrest from Chin State. His favorite subject is English, and he dreams of studying overseas to become a civil engineer.Another 12-year-old novice, Aung Khant wants to become a teacher like Khin. Like many of the students, Aung Khant has been helping to clear the debris from the collapsed building outside of school hours.Meanwhile, the young novice monks sleep safely at night inside the tents. “The novices really love the tents,” Khin says with a rare smile. “They aren’t forced to sleep there - they want to. It feels fun for them.”During the day, the children don’t stay in tents because they are exposed to the scorching 40-degree Celsius heat. But come nightfall, the tents transform into places of rest and comfort.For Khin, there is no going back to her old life. “I plan to volunteer at this school for the rest of my life,” she says. “I have nowhere else to go. Even though it’s painful, I will do my best to keep going."I’m truly grateful to the volunteers and donors who provided tents to our school as temporary shelter. There are still a lot of critical needs, from rebuilding the school to securing teaching materials and food. But step by step, we will rebuild."Learn more about the IFRC’s Myanmar Earthquake Emergency AppealOther articles about Myanmar earthquakeIn the wake of Myanmar earthquake, a mother finds strength in helping othersA tale of two emotions: In Myanmar, visiting people whose lives were upended by the March 28 earthquake, I am torn between hope and fearFrom the classroom to the frontlines: In the wake of crisis, ‘Teacher Honey’ transforms from educator to emergency responderMyanmar earthquake one-month on: needs remain massiveGruelling conditions in Myanmar as humanitarian needs remain high following devastating earthquakeOne Week On: IFRC Scales Up Myanmar Earthquake Response Amid Massive Humanitarian NeedsMyanmar Red Cross races against time to save lives after the earthquakePowerful earthquake rocks central Myanmar: Red Cross responds

Guinea: Community comes together to reduce disease and disaster risks

For as long as they can remember, the people of Dalafilani—a small, rural village of 2,000 people in central Guinea—have faced a recurring and significant problem: flooding.Every time heavy rains came, water coursed through the village, damaging homes and leaving large pools of polluted, stagnant water—the perfect breeding ground for waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.Not only did the floods jeopardise people’s homes and health, they also caused economic pressures. Villagers used to have to frequently buy medicine to treat relatives who fell sick from flood-related diseases, diverting precious income from other daily needs.So when local Guinean Red Cross volunteers rallied the community together to discuss potential solutions, the community decided it would do whatever it takes to keep the floods—and diseases—at bay.A community diagnosis at the heart of changeThrough the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), trained Guinean Red Cross volunteers led the community through a participatory risk assessment to understand the problem, discuss the community’s needs and resources, and come up with a workable solution.“As members of this community, we worked together to identify the priority problems. During a community diagnosis, the residents recognized that flooding and wastewater were a major source of disease, and that their environment had a direct impact on their health, safety and livelihoods,” explains Guinean Red Cross volunteer, Sekou Oularé.“Together, we came up with the idea of constructing a system of canals through the village to evacuate flood and wastewater. The Red Cross facilitated this process, providing tools and logistical support,” he adds.Taking collective actionWith a plan of action agreed, villagers in Dalafilani quickly got to work turning their idea into reality.“We decided to mobilize the whole community. Men and women worked hand in hand to build the canals. We made bricks, dug trenches and transported materials. This work has enabled us to create a functional drainage system that carries rainwater and domestic wastewater away from our village,” explains Fanta Bö Kourouma, president of the Dalafilani youth group.Guinean Red Cross volunteers were on hand throughout the process—helping to build the canals, map out where they should run to most effectively carry water away from the village, and procure the necessary materials.A healthier, safer community in the long-termFollowing the construction of the canals, it didn’t take long for the community to see a positive change. The village is cleaner, there are no more pools of stagnant water following the rains, and families are relieved to see their children in better health.“Before, we had problems with illness, especially among children. They used to play in the dirty water and it made them sick. It was a heavy burden on our finances because of the cost of medicines. Today, thanks to the drainage system, there are fewer mosquitoes and fewer children are getting sick,” says Gbè Traoré, a resident of Dalafilani.Local health authorities have also reported a decrease in diseases, with head of the Dalafilani health post, Bernard Camara, recording significantly fewer medical consultations relating to malaria and water-borne diseases.Guinea Red Cross volunteers continue to support people in Dalafilani, conducting regular community meetings to raise awareness of epidemic risks and reinforce cleanliness efforts.Dalafilani village chief, Fodé Oularé, is relieved to see improvements to his community’s health, and understands they need to keep working together to keep disease risks at bay in the long-term.“Before, rainwater was running off in all directions, creating puddles of stagnant water. Now, with the system we've built, the water is drained away and we have a cleaner environment. The Red Cross has been working with us to raise awareness and maintain this progress, but it's up to us, the residents, to keep things clean to prevent disease,” he explains.--The activities featured in this article were delivered as part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) which ran from 2018-2025. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.    

12/03/2021 |

Basic page

Healthy ageing

Older people remain one of the most vulnerable and excluded groups in countries around the world. Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies run many programmes and services for older people that promote healthy ageing and protect their dignity.

21/05/2025 |

Migration Strategy: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement 2024-2030

This strategy is the first-ever Movement-wide Strategy on Migration adopted at the 2024 Council of Delegates of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The Migration Strategy seeks to bring the Movement together around a collective vision that sets shared objectives and commitments to guide the Movement's three components [Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)] in their action with and for migrants. The strategy also enables partners, donors, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration with the Movement in the field of migration and ensure that its position is also clearly understood outside the Movement.

Press release

Just the beginning: IFRC urges Europe to prepare as heatwaves and wildfires intensify this summer

Budapest, Geneva - 04 July 2025 – Wildfires are raging in Greece, Türkiye and other parts of Europe as a deadly heatwave is gripping the continent, causing loss of life, mass evacuations, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) network has mobilized to support emergency responders and vulnerable communities affected, including migrants, older people, children, and those with chronic illnesses.The IFRC warns this is only the beginning. With multiple heatwaves and fire risks expected through September, there is an urgent need to shift from reactive response to proactive preparedness. Governments, municipalities and communities must take early action now—because when we prepare better, we save lives.In Türkiye’s Izmir region, wildfires have tragically claimed two lives and forced the evacuation of 50,000 people, with hundreds of houses damaged. On the Greek island of Crete, over 5,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated as fires approach residential and tourist areas. Eastern Germany has seen more than 100 people displaced due to advancing flames.In Greece, Red Cross volunteers are working alongside firefighters, providing critical first aid to both emergency personnel and evacuees, including care for displaced pets.In Türkiye, Red Crescent teams are delivering essential food, water, and relief supplies to firefighting crews and those forced to flee their homes.In North Macedonia, mobile teams are addressing the severe risks faced by people on the move, distributing hydration supplies and sun protection while coordinating with authorities to ensure safe transit amid extreme heat.These efforts are part of a broader humanitarian response to the escalating climate crisis in Europe, where rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are contributing to intensified wildfire risks. The IFRC is committed not only to immediate relief but also to building community resilience through health support, preparedness, and climate adaptation initiatives.“Heatwaves and wildfires are no longer isolated events; they are becoming the new reality for millions across Europe,” said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbeson, IFRC Regional Director of Europe. “Summer after summer, we’re seeing preventable deaths, loss of livelihoods and impacts to people’s health. Heatwaves are becoming deadlier, fires more intense, and the people most at risk are often the least prepared. While our teams are stepping in, we need longer-term readiness across the board.”The IFRC urges governments, local authorities, and communities to prioritize climate adaptation and invest in early warning systems, health services, and disaster risk reduction to mitigate the humanitarian toll of these increasingly frequent disasters.Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers on the ground are available for interviews.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] Budapest:Corrie Butler, +36 70 430 6506Anastasia Sharkova, +7 916 040 1972In Turkiye:Sevil Erkus, +90 536 644 91 22In Geneva:Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

The Gambia: As malaria season begins, a life-saving infusion of medicine

By Moustapha DialloOn a hot and humid Thursday afternoon, the courtyard of The Gambia’s Central Medical Store swarms with people. Despite the oppressive heat, dozens of people gather under a large tent.From time to time, clouds appear before dissipating, while the small puddles left by a light rainfall the day before remind everyone of the onset of the rainy season, a period known to bring a surge in malaria cases.Against this backdrop, the Gambian Red Cross Society (GRCS) officially handed over a vital consignment of anti-malarial medications to the Ministry of Health in support of the upcoming Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) campaign.This life-saving donation is part of the “Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia” project, funded by the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).“This delivery comes at the right time,” said Lamine Dampha, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health during the handover ceremony. “The rainy season, commonly referred to as ‘malaria season’, has just begun. These medications will allow us to protect tens of thousands of people, especially children under five, who continue to bear the highest burden of malaria, across the country”.Speaking at the handover ceremony, Charles Businge, the IFRC’s regional director for Africa emphasized that these medications come at a crucial time when global funding for malaria is declining.In this context, Ibou Fye Njie, secretary general of the GRCS, says these medicines take on even greater significance.“Delivery of these medicines marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to achieve a malaria-free Gambia, while emphasizing that the project will finance the operational costs for the implementation of four SMC cycles during the 2025 malaria season in Kombo North District,” he said.Supporting a nationwide mosquito nets distribution campaignValued at over USD 108,000 (excluding transport costs estimated at USD 35,000), the medications handover follows a large-scale mosquito net distribution campaign, conducted in partnership with the Senegalese authorities as part of a coordinated cross-border malaria control effort.More than 1.5 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets were distributed free of charge to households across The Gambia.Supporting this nationwide effort, 280 Red Cross volunteers were mobilized across all regions to raise awareness about malaria prevention. They went door-to-door educating families about the proper use of mosquito nets, provided information on where to collect them, and assisted Ministry of Health staff with registering beneficiaries.“I’m very grateful to have received a mosquito net,” said a mother of three from the Central River Region. “This year, I know my children and I will be protected from malaria.”Malaria: a major public health threatMalaria is one of the top ten causes of death in The Gambia, with the entire population of the country at risk of the disease. It also remains a leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity in The Gambia, where under-five mortality rate remains high at 56 per 1,000 live births.Despite significant progress in recent years, global malaria funding is insufficient to sustain essential services for a growing population and addressing biological and non-biological threats.Speaking on behalf of His Excellency Liu Jin, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to The Gambia, Mr. Zhan Tong, Counsellor at the Chinese Embassy, reaffirmed China’s commitment:“We are confident that, with the strong support of the Chinese government and the international community, we will see tangible progress very soon,” he said.The “Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia” project, launched in September 2024, will run through September 2026, with a total budget of USD 1,978,879.