Healing far from home: The Egyptian Red Crescent’s lifeline for Gaza’s evacuees

Migration learning resources

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and our Reference Centres produce a wide range of resources on how to best support migrants and displaced people. Discover them below.

Your questions answered

This page addresses frequently asked questions about the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s work during the Russia-Ukraine international armed conflict. It will be regularly updated with new information and questions.

National Society Development

The IFRC supports our 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world to fulfil their full potential as effective local humanitarian actors. We are committed to supporting their long-term development and programmes. And we tailor our support to each National Society's contexts, needs and priorities.

Trust and accountability

Trust is the foundation of humanitarian action. The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement depends on trust—of the people and communities we serve, of our donors and partners, and between each other—to deliver our lifesaving work.

Voices that pave the way: Women's leadership in humanitarian action

IFRC on five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers killed: 'We are horrified'

Geneva, 28 October 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is horrified, shocked, and deeply saddened by the killing of five volunteers of the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) who were on duty in the city of Bara, North Kordofan, on 27 October. Another three volunteers are still missing.The Sudanese Red Crescent team was on an official mission as part of a food distribution team in the city of Bara. They were clearly identified by wearing Red Crescent vests, which are supposed to provide them with full protection, and carried identification cards issued by the local branch.Any attack on humanitarian teams is unacceptable. We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to their friends and colleagues.The Sudanese Red Crescent has lost 21 colleagues on duty since the beginning of the conflict.Since the beginning of 2025, 25 Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers from across the globe have lost their lives while carrying out their humanitarian duties.This is unacceptable.For information, please contact: [email protected] Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67

Kenya: Complex Emergency

Millions of people across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid counties are facing worsening hunger, with over two million people projected to experience crisis-level food insecurity through early 2026. Drought, water scarcity, disease outbreaks, and funding cuts have left families without enough food, clean water, or access to health care. The Kenya Red Cross is scaling up emergency food, water, and health assistance while helping communities build long-term resilience to future shocks. Donate now to help the Kenya Red Cross provide life-saving assistance.

5 things you need to know about storms and hurricanes

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is still active in the Americas. Meteorologists, disaster management experts and public authorities are keeping a close eye on hurricane Melissa, the 13th storm of the year, which is currently moving slowly towards Jamaica.Out of the 19 storms forecast this year, 13 have formed. Four of those became hurricanes categorised as either 1 or 2. Three of these reached major hurricane status, meaning Category 3 or higher.But how much do we really know about how storms and hurricanes form, their characteristics, and how to prepare for them? Below, we answer five of the most common questions about storms and hurricanes.️️1. What is the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane?Both are part of the same system: the tropical cyclone. This is defined as a low-pressure system that rotates counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.The intensity varies. A tropical storm is characterized by winds of between 63 and 118 km/h, whereas a hurricane is characterized by winds exceeding 119 km/h.These phenomena have different names depending on where they develop:Cyclones when they occur in the waters of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.Typhoons occur in the waters of East Asia and the Pacific.Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea.Each type is associated with a season that can last up to seven months a year.A major hurricane does not need to form in order to endanger people's lives. The rain and winds caused by a single storm can pose a threat to people's health and well-being, and even to their survival, particularly in communities where climate change, poverty, misinformation and previous disasters increase population vulnerability.In 2024, storms were classified as the second most frequent type of disaster worldwide, recorded in the EM-DAT database, affecting 29.5 million people globally.Due to a combination of geographic, climatic, political and socioeconomic factors, countries such as Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda are particularly vulnerable in the Americas.Countries affected by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, also entered the 2025 season while still recovering.2. How do storms and hurricanes form?They form over the sea. For this phenomenon to occur, the ocean water must be warm, with a temperature above 26°C. When warm, moist air rises, the vapour releases heat, strengthening the system and causing it to grow. If humidity and wind conditions are favourable, the system can grow into a hurricane.An eye forms in the centre of the hurricane, creating an apparent calm. Meanwhile, dense clouds and intense winds form around it in an area known as the eyewall. The spiralling clouds release large amounts of water, which can cause flooding and landslides.Hurricanes are driven by wind and follow paths that can vary depending on the direction and speed of currents at different levels of the atmosphere. When they make landfall, they lose the heat from the ocean — their source of energy — and begin to weaken.We must pay close attention not only to the number of hurricanes forecast but also to how rapidly they intensify.Rapid intensification—defined as an increase in wind speed of 35 mph or more within 24 hours—has become more common due to warmer ocean temperatures fueled by climate change.This sudden strengthening leaves little time for preparation, increasing the risk of catastrophic damage and loss of life. Notable examples include Hurricane Otis in 2023, which escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than a day before striking Mexico's Pacific coast.3. Why are storms and hurricanes named?Names make it easy to identify each storm. Naming storms is the fastest way to issue alerts and prepare the population.The World Meteorological Organization has lists of names that are reused every six years. These lists are arranged in alphabetical order, with male and female names taken in turns. If a hurricane causes significant destruction, its name is retired.Names make it easier to track and analyze each storm, particularly when several are active at the same time. They also facilitate historical record-keeping and help avoid confusion among meteorological personnel, the media, emergency response agencies and the general public.When compiling lists of names, certain factors are taken into consideration.They should be short.They should be easy to pronounce.They should have an appropriate meaning in different languages.They should be unique: the same names cannot be used in other regions.4. How predictable are hurricanes?Thanks to weather forecasts, we can anticipate the arrival of storms and hurricanes and prepare before disasters strike.Technology enables us to track their path and speed across the sea with great accuracy. Hurricane Melissa, for example, is moving slowly, which means it poses a greater risk. The slower a storm or hurricane moves, the longer communities in its path will suffer strong winds and heavy rain. Rather than lasting a few hours, these conditions could persist for days, causing flooding or landslides. This is why it is crucial for communities to complete their preparations before conditions deteriorate. It is important to combine forecasts with risk analysis to take early action in anticipation of hurricanes rather than simply responding to events as they happen.The Red Cross, governments, communities and other humanitarian organisations can act before a disaster strikes by implementing early warning systems and evacuation protocols and carrying out drills, or by strategically placing humanitarian aid to ensure its rapid delivery to affected areas in the event of an emergency.This approach enables us to anticipate disasters, minimise their impact, and prevent suffering, loss of life and loss of livelihoods.5. What should I do before, during and after a hurricane?Before hurricane season begins, it is important to familiarise yourself with the risks in your area and develop an evacuation plan for your family and community. Identify the nearest shelters and map out safe routes. Make sure that everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency.To reinforce your home's structure, make sure the roof is securely fastened, install shutters, clean the gutters and trim any branches that could fall. You should also prepare supplies such as drinking water, non-perishable food, torches, medicines and a first-aid kit.Once a hurricane warning or advisory has been issued, be prepared to evacuate if the local authorities instruct you to do so. Secure important documents in waterproof bags and place valuables in high places. Fill your car's petrol tank when it is half empty, in case you need to evacuate.During the hurricane, stay informed through official media outlets and follow the authorities' instructions. If you are staying at home, reinforce your doors and windows and stay away from them. Seek shelter in an interior room without windows.Bring pets inside, unplug small appliances and, if instructed, turn off the electricity, gas and water supplies.Do not be fooled by the calm in the eye of the hurricane; stay safe until the authorities confirm that the danger has passed.After the hurricane has passed, check for injuries and provide first aid, but do not move seriously injured people unless they are in danger.Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines, as these can cause electrocution. Do not consume water or food that may be contaminated and maintain good hygiene.Support your neighbours and only participate in clean-up and recovery efforts when it is safe to do so. Stay informed about new alerts or secondary risks, such as flooding or landslides.

Jamaica: Hurricane Melissa 

Hurricane Melissa — the strongest storm in Jamaica’s history — has devastated communities across the island, bringing winds of up to 280 km/h, as well as torrential rains and storm surges that left homes destroyed, roads blocked, and thousands displaced. Nearly 1.9 million people are affected, with many families trapped or living in makeshift shelters as flooding and landslides continue.The Jamaica Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, is providing emergency shelter, food, clean water, and cash assistance. But urgent support is needed to reach more people and scale up recovery efforts.Donate now to help the Jamaica Red Cross provide life-saving assistance

Somalia: Complex Emergency

Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 2.5 million people in Puntland and Somaliland struggling to survive amid extreme drought, collapsing health systems, and severe food and water shortages. Families have lost their livelihoods, children are at risk of malnutrition and disease, and women and girls face heightened protection risks as community coping mechanisms collapse. The Somali Red Crescent Society is on the ground providing life-saving water, food, health services, and cash assistance, but urgent support is needed to scale up and reach more families in need.Donate now to help the Somali Red Crescent provide life-saving assistance.

Strengthening National Disaster Risk Management Systems through integration of anticipatory action

There has been growing interest from government actors in anticipatory action, yet little is known of their efforts to institutionalise the approach. This report explores how anticipatory action is being integrated into government disaster risk management systems, drawing on global trends and many concrete examples, along with two deep-dive country case studies—Nepal and Madagascar. It identifies emerging examples of government ownership, outlines common barriers to integration, and highlights the role of the National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and other partners in supporting this shift.Based on current and best practices, the report also identifies entry points within existing, legal, operational and financial, and forecasting capacities for anticipatory action to be integrated, and provides practical recommendations to government and humanitarian actors to do so. This flagship report also contributes to the concrete delivery and operationalisation of the commitments made during the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, reinforcing the collective ambition to scale up anticipatory action.

National Society Investment Alliance announces grants to 14 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies

Following a rigorous review process, the National Society Investment Alliance (NSIA) has allocated approximately 3.1 million Swiss francs in 2025 to support the sustainable development of 14 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies operating in complex emergencies, protracted crises, and fragile contexts.A joint pooled fund of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the NSIA provides flexible, multi-year funding to support the sustainable development of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies that carry out critical humanitarian work under extremely challenging environments.The NSIA awards grants in two key funding categories: It can allocate up to 750,000 Swiss francs of “accelerator”funding to National Societies over a maximum of five years, and it also awards “bridge grants” of up to 50,000 Swiss francs over 12 months that aim to help National Societies lay the ground for future investment from the NSIA or from other National Society Development (NSD) initiatives.In 2025, the NSIA Office received 32 eligible proposals, 17 for accelerator funding and 15 for bridge grants. The National Societies selected for accelerator funding in 2025 are the following:Colombian Red Cross SocietyJordan National Red Crescent SocietyPakistan Red CrescentSalvadorean Red Cross SocietySomali Red Crescent SocietySouth Sudan Red CrossThese National Societies will receive strategic funding to support their journey toward long-term organizational sustainability and impact. All six National Societies have previously received NSIA grants.The Colombian Red Cross Society will strengthen institutional efficiency and humanitarian impact through a national digital management system, unifying data and governance tools to enhance transparency, coordination, accountability and donor confidence.The Jordan National Red Crescent Society will expand its Commercial First Aid services by establishing a new training center, generating sustainable income while empowering communities, especially refugees, women, and youth, to prepare for and respond to emergencies.The Pakistan Red Crescent Society will expand equitable access to safe blood and diagnostic services by upgrading laboratories and launching new mobile units, ultimately improving healthcare access for underserved communities.The Salvadorean Red Cross Society will establish a new clinical laboratory and imaging center, translating prior NSIA support into a self-sustaining health service that expands access to affordable diagnostics and reinforces the Society’s financial autonomy.The South Sudan Red Cross will drive its digital transformation by deploying new management systems, training staff and volunteers, and strengthening ICT infrastructure to enhance efficiency, accountability, and readiness in humanitarian response.Bridge grants awarded to eight National SocietiesIn addition to the accelerator grants, the NSIA has awarded bridge grants to eight National Societies: Belize Red Cross Society, Bolivian Red Cross, Guatemalan Red Cross, Honduran Red Cross, Lesotho Red Cross Society, Tanzania Red Cross-National Society, Timor-Leste Red Cross Society, Venezuelan Red Cross.2025 bridge initiatives continue to strengthen the foundations of National Societies and setting the stage for larger investments, by improving financial sustainability, governance, and institutional systems.Several initiatives, such as in Venezuela, Bolivia, Lesotho and Guatemala, will focus on restoring operational capacity and developing comprehensive resource mobilization strategies to ensure long-term income generation and donor confidence.Others, such as Timor-Leste and Honduras, plan modernization of commercial first aid services and human resource systems, improving efficiency and transparency, as well as financial sustainability.The Belize Red Cross is redefining its strategic direction through a new strategy and business plan, while Tanzania Red Cross is investing in social enterprise models and education structures to enhance financial resilience and youth engagement.Collectively, these initiatives reinforce the institutional backbone of National Societies and prepare them for future strategic investments, enabling more sustainable, accountable, and locally led humanitarian action.The NSIA continues to be a vital instrument for enabling National Societies to strengthen their sustainable institutions and deliver effective locally led humanitarian action, when humanitarian needs are increasing and funding dropping.As highlighted in the NSIA Annual Report 2024, emerging impacts show that well-targeted investments, even small ones, can generate significant returns, for example, improving governance, financial sustainability, and humanitarian service delivery across crisis and fragile and protracted contexts.Ultimately, NSIA investments offer a transformative opportunity to National Societies operating in the most complex contexts to advance their strategic priorities, strengthen institutions and eventually contributing to more resilient communities, and lasting humanitarian impact.For more information, please click here to visit the NSIA webpage.

Jamaica: Hours before Melissa makes landfall, preparation is the only way forward

Hurricane Melissais expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a major Category 4 or 5 hurricane – the first storm of this magnitude to hit Jamaica in known history.“We're expecting hurricane conditions starting tomorrow, later into this evening and a part of tomorrow,”says Esther Pinnock, Communications Officer for Jamaica Red Cross. “Heavy rainfall will be experienced.”Pinnock was speaking on Sunday 26 October, a day before the storm’s earliest predicted landfall. Forecasters expect Melissa to make landfall on Monday 27 October or Tuesday 28 October.“Some sections of the island are already experiencing this rainfall and gusty winds," Pinnock continued. "Based on the trajectory and expectation of the hurricane, we know that there are already some areas, those that we would have already intervened in, like Portland Cottage, Rocky Point and areas of Saint Catherine that are vulnerable."Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica while communities are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl. This storm is expected to impact the country just 16 months after Hurricane Beryl devastated farming and fishing communities and caused USD 204 million in damage. Coastal households are still recovering financially and lack the resources to prepare for another storm.Flooding is expected to be worse than Beryl, due to Melissa’s slow movement and antecedent moisture from inclement weather over the past weeks. Low-lying areas remain highly vulnerable to storm surges and flooding, while Kingston's informal settlements face significant risks of wind damage.Local Red Cross teams across Jamaica are already on the ground — taking early action, supporting alerts and evacuations, and positioning relief for the most at-risk families.Jamaica Red Cross is coordinating and receiving data from theJamaica Information Service of the known vulnerable areas, and the local teams anticipate that there will be severe events to which the Red Cross will have to respond.Staff and volunteers are prepared to immediately replenish distributed supplies and complement emergency stock, conduct damage and needs assessments to identify critical needs, operate emergency shelters for displaced populations, and establish feedback and complaint mechanisms to ensure accountability to affected communities.“We will also be collecting information on persons who may be stranded and making those connections with the necessary entities as we get such reports”, Pinnock adds.“I also want to be highlighting to the public that after the storm passes, we're going to be talking about our Restoring Family Links service and how that can be accessed.”The IFRC has since launched an emergency appeal for 19 million Swiss francs to support the Jamaican Red Cross emergency response and recovery efforts.Powered by forecasts and early action, the Jamaica Red Cross has been mobilized for a week ahead of Melissa. With 165,000 people potentially at risk across the parishes of Saint Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Saint Catherine, Saint Andrew, Kingston, Saint Thomas, and Portland, the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has allocated CHF 80,000 for imminent action.These funds have allowed our local teams to activatevolunteers, preposition relief supplies, and support alerts and evacuations. In schools, community centres, and places of worship across the eight targeted parishes, the Red Cross has supported the preparation of emergency shelters in the days and hours leading up to Melissa's anticipated arrival. Local Red Cross teams have also pre-positioned emergency supplies—including 250 shelter kits, 250 hygiene kits, 250 cleaning kits, tarps, drinking water, and other essential items—in local branches and designated shelters before the storm arrives.Additionally, trained volunteers have been deployed with necessary communication equipment, transportation, safety gear, and visibility items. As storms and hurricanes like Melissa intensify faster and response time shrinks, investing in anticipation saves lives and resources. Acting before disaster strikes makes every dollar and every minute count.

IFRC-DREF 2025 Pledging Conference Programme

This document provides the agenda and programme for the IFRC-DREF 2025 Pledging Conference, to take place online and at the IFRC's Geneva headquarters on Friday, 7 November.