Tuvalu Red Cross Society

Vietnam Red Cross Society

Austrian Red Cross

French Red Cross

Croatian Red Cross

'They know I will come': How a unique initiative – powered by local women – improved community health and left a lasting legacy of trust in central Zimbabwe

Hope flows back after the floods: Cash assistance from Viet Nam Red Cross and IFRC helps families recover their lives and livelihoods

Life beyond blackouts

IFRC is working with local teams affected by the recent escalation of hostilities in Middle East

Geneva, 28 February 2026 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is following closely and is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of hostilities in the Middle East. Local teams are on the ground and responding as needs arise.The IFRC is working with the affected National Societies to support a timely humanitarian response as needs rise. The IFRC has activated every level, from global to regional and local, to ensure coordination and readiness to respond, including IFRC’slogistics pipeline andprepositioning of humanitarian goods.In Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has mobilized its network of volunteers, with logistics units, medical services, rapid response teams, search and rescue and pharmacies across the country to deliver essential humanitarian services and support people affected by the emergency. This includes deploying responseteamsfollowing an attack on a school in Minab, Hormozgan province.In Israel, Magen David Adom (MDA) has mobilized staff and volunteers across the country. Teams are treating and evacuating affected people to hospitals and conducting transfer operations to safeguard patients in non‑sheltered facilities. Blood drives are underway at secure locations across the country to ensure full operational preparedness for all scenarios.All National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the region are on high alert for any possible responses needed.The IFRC calls for the preservation of humanitarian space so humanitarian and medical personnel can operate safely and reach people in need.For more information: [email protected] Geneva: Irina Ruano, +41 79 357 1609 Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

The long road to recovery: Six months after the quake in Afghanistan's Kunar Province, the memories remain painfully vivid

Kenya Red Cross volunteer lost his life in the line of duty during rescue operation

Geneva/Nairobi, 06 March 2026 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the death of Samuel Wanyonyi Wangila, a dedicated aqua rescue volunteer who lost his life while responding to a rescue operation along the Mbagathi River in Nairobi on 3 March 2026.Samuel was responding to a distress call in the Highrise area when the incident occurred. He was part of an emergency rescue effort to assist a young boy who had reportedly drowned. Tragically, Samuel lost his life while attempting to save others.Samuel served as a volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross Society for more than 15 years, dedicating his time and skills to protecting at-risk communities. Known for his professionalism, courageand commitment, he was among the most experienced members of the National Society’s aqua rescue teams and had trained and mentored many volunteers across the country.In 2025, he received the Special Recognition Award at the Kenya Red Cross Volunteer Awards in acknowledgement of his outstanding service in water rescue operations nationwide.Humanitarian volunteers and staff often operate in extremely difficult and dangerous environments while trying to protect lives and support communities in crisis. Their commitment and service are the backbone of humanitarian response worldwide.Any loss of a humanitarian worker in the line of duty is a profound tragedy. Across the world, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers risk their lives every day to assist people in emergencies. The safety and protection of humanitarian workers must always remain a priority. Globally, since the start of the year, four National Societies volunteers and staff have lost their lives while on duty.The IFRC extends its deepest condolences to Samuel’s wife, family, friends, and fellow volunteers during this incredibly difficult time.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]    

Women supporting women: On International Women’s Day 2026, we tell the stories of women around the world helping shape a safer, more equal future for the next generation

IFRC Health and Care Department Success Stories 2025

The 2025 Success Stories of the IFRC’s Health and Care Department highlights the Department’s key achievements, progress, and strategic direction over the past year, showcasing advancements in Global Health Security, Global Health Protection and Universal Health Coverage, Global Water Security, and Transformative Partnerships. This report reaffirms IFRC’s commitment to community‑based action in public health, water security, and resilient water systems, and embraces innovation in both health and water-system strengthening. It highlights how the IFRC, through National Societies, continues to strengthen integrated, people‑centered solutions that advance equitable health and water outcomes for all.

Capacity Building Fund

The CBF is a funding mechanism that aims to strengthen the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, enabling them to increase the scale and quality of their humanitarian services and programs. National Societies with reinforced capacities can reach out to more people within their local communities, responding to more need and vulnerability.

Cameroon’s “silent food insecurity crisis” deepens as millions struggle to find food

Yaounde/Nairobi/Geneva – 10 March 2026 — Millions of people in Cameroon are facing a worsening food crisis that is receiving little international attention, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warned today.A new assessment conducted by the Cameroon Red Cross with support from the IFRC network, surveyed nearly 6,000 households and found that hunger is rapidly increasing.More than 3.3 million people are struggling to find enough food, with families in the country’s Far North, North and East regions already skipping meals, selling livestock or taking on debt just to survive.In some of the worst-affected areas, 64 per cent of households are experiencing severe food insecurity, while food stocks last less than one month.Adesh Tripathee, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation in Yaounde, says:“Cameroon is facing a silent hunger crisis. Families are doing all they can to simply to stay alive. This crisis is not making headlines, but for millions of people it is already an everyday reality.”The Cameroon Red Cross, supported by IFRC and Movement partners, is delivering cash transfers, cereal bank support, agricultural recovery, nutrition activities and community resilience programmes. However, existing resources are insufficient relative to the scale of needs.The IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal for CHF 9.6 million to support the Cameroon Red Cross in scaling up assistance for the most vulnerable communities. The operation will provide integrated support including cash assistance, food support, livelihood recovery, nutrition services, clean water and sanitation, and protection programmes.The IFRC calls on partners and donors to urgently mobilize resources to protect the most vulnerable communities and prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.Families at breaking pointThe Red Cross assessment revealed that more than 60 per cent of households are relying on extreme coping strategies, including selling livestock, tools and other productive assets needed to plant crops in the next season.Only five per cent of households still have the capacity to absorb another shock, leaving communities extremely vulnerable to further climate shocks, price increases or conflict.Parents are increasingly sacrificing their own meals so their children can eat.A father from Logone-et-Chari in Cameroon’s Far North region says:“We no longer talk about eating well; we talk about staying alive. First, we sold our goats to buy maize. Then I had to sell my plough so we could eat that evening. Now my wife and I skip food for two days so our children can have a handful of grain.”Children are particularly at risk. The assessment found that eight in ten children are not eating enough nutritious food, putting them at risk of acute malnutrition and long-term developmental harm.Cécile Akama Mfoumou, President of the Cameroon Red Cross, says:“The situation is deteriorating rapidly. Families are exhausting the coping mechanisms available to them. Immediate support is critical to prevent further suffering.”The situation is expected to worsen as the lean season (the period between planting and harvesting crops where food availability is at it’s lowest) arrives earlier than usual, starting in April instead of June, due to exhausted food stocks and reduced harvests caused by floods and erratic rainfall.At the same time, more than 510,000 people are internally displaced, further straining already fragile livelihoods.Although food is still available in many markets, it has become unaffordable for most families.More information To request an interview, contact: [email protected]  In Yaounde:Muriel Atsama Obama, +237 650 610 006In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575