Early detection, early action, healthier communities

Disaster Response Emergency Fund Annual Plan

Mongolia: Helping herders survive the ‘Iron Dzud’

The sun shone high in the sky over the vast grasslands of Sukhbaatar province, Eastern Mongolia, as 54-year-oldAltantuya Damdinsuren and her elder sister Ochirbat Damdinsuren received members of the Red Cross with wide smiles.Inside their ‘ger’ (the name for a traditional Mongolian dwelling), they were busy cooking mutton dumplings and hot bone broth for their visitors, all sourced from their very own herd. It is Mongolian custom to offer a lot of food, sweets, and drinks to visitors.The Mongolian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) were there to visit withthe two sisters to see how they are doing one year after a long period of extreme cold one year ago devastated local herding families.Their visit was part of an effort to assesshow well people are recovering after receiving critical Red Cross assistance, including cash, animal kits, hay, fodder, psychosocial support and more.Among theoffered dishes was a bowl of homemade milk cheese, taken from the first milk of their cow after newborn calf had been fed. The animals of Mongolian herders are more than just a source of sustenance — they are companions for life. Herder families help their animals live, eat, give birth, survive the cold, traverse the vast landscape, and remain healthy.On top of a side table were two large plates of what appeared to be homegrown grass, cultivated by the two sisters.Altantuya picks them up and says, “These are for my animals.”Recovering from devastating lossSuch intimate care of livestock is normal here, but it has been especially critical recently as communities recovered from last year’s extreme cold weather (locally known as a ‘dzud’) that unfolded one year ago. Throughout Mongolia, over 180,000 herder households were severely affected by the dzud. By July2024, over 8 million livestock, or 12.5 per cent of the overall livestock in Mongolia had tragically perished, according to Mongolian Red Cross.This dramatic loss triggeredwidespread food insecurity, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, reducing the production of staple meat and dairy products dramatically, driving up prices, and disrupted supply chains. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall severely limited the herder’s access to markets.The combined effects of increased debt burdens diminished purchasing power and further drove up inflation. Escalating costs for hay and fodder, meanwhile, aggravated the hardships faced by all herding families, but particularly by single-headed households likeAltantuya’s or families with children.“Heads of herder households particularly had difficulties coping with the stress of losing their beloved animals,”says Dr. Gantulga Batbyamba,Director of the Health Department for the Mongolian Red Cross Society. “Livestock loss negatively impacts their mental health, and thisthem feeling hopeless and stressed for their future."In addition, heavy snows that accompanied the extreme cold meant that grown children living in nearby cities, or younger children in weekday boarding schools, could not return home for long periods.”Altantuya herselflost almost 400 livestock from her precious herd of horse, goat, sheep, and cattle. Only about 100 animals including newborns, now remain in her care, and her main source of income has always been largely from livestock — she also receives pension from the state.To cope with this huge loss of livelihood since last year’s dzud, Altantuya has taken two separate loans — one from a bank and the other against her pension.Mongolian Red CrossSocietyresponseTo help people likeAltantuya recover from this devastation blow, the Mongolian Red Cross has been working alongside herder communities when the dzud hit. One of the very first things it did was to provide animal care kits and multipurpose cash for herder households.ForAltantuya (and more than80 per cent of the families surveyed), that cash became a lifeline. A significant portion wasspent quickly on extra hay, fodder, and nutrition to keep their animals alive.Much of this support was made possible by resources mobilized through a global IFRCEmergency Appeal, and these funds went towards providing cash to households in need, animal care kits, and support aimed at helping people deal with the mental health and psychological impacts of the disaster.Within the animal care kits are fish oil, hoof and eye ointment, powdered vitamins and salt licks, which helped her animals survive the harsh weather. The Mongolian Red Cross also gave food to families who did not have sufficient resources to adequately prepare their own meals.“Hay and fodder are the most valuable assistance to us,”Altantuya says. “It allows us to help our animals survive.”Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) have also been critical. MRCS conducted extensive outreach on psychosocial first aid, home visits to herder families, and in-person visits to soum centres (districts) and held activities in boarding schools to support children separated from their families. They also set up a local hotline for online and remote support, as well as disseminated key messages on mental health to many communities.As herder families live in far-flung and extremely remote areas, home visits along with mental health care, as well as regular phone calls from Red Cross staff, have been a great relief indeed, says Dr Gantulga, adding that IFRC surge support for mental health and psychosocial support trainings have allowed the Mongolian Red Cross to strengthen MHPSS and psychological first aid skills for staff and volunteers.WhileAltantuyashrugs off her difficulties, her elder sister Ochirbat notes that life during winter in Mongolia is never easy, and it’s even harder during an extremely cold weather.“When it gets very cold, we have to make sure the animals don’t lie down even for a while in the cold; they will not be able to get back up again and will freeze to death,”she says. “My sister physicallypushes or pulls them back up to make them stand and continue standing by themselves.”One year after the 2024 dzud, the Mongolian Red Cross Society and the IFRC continuing to help herder households to get back on their feet, delivering critical humanitarian assistance and services to families and to many others in need. For herder families like Altantuya and her sister, the only hope after such events is to rebuild their herd and start again.By Rachel Punitha, IFRC Senior Communications Officer, Asia Pacific Region

Crisis to Resilience: Supporting Mongolia’s herder families one year on

Ulaanbaatar/Beijing/Kuala Lumpur, 7 July 2025 —One year after Mongolia’s harshest winter in nearly half a century, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) mark the end of a major humanitarian operation supported by an IFRC international emergency appeal.The operation has not only delivered critical life-sustaining assistance to over 25,000 people across 21 provinces but also supported the community to build long-term resilience to growing climate-related challenges.The winter that began in late 2023 saw a devastating Dzud -a severe, slow-onset cold winter condition where heavy snow and ice cover the ground, preventing animals from accessing pasture, causing widespread animal deaths.By June 2024, more than 8 million livestock had perished, some 12.5 per cent of livestock in the country according toofficial figures, threatening not only herders’ food source but also the main source of income for thousands of families.Life-saving support in the depth of winterUransaikhan, 68, and her 70-year-old husband in Sukhbaatar province have endured Mongolia’s harsh winters since the 1990s, yet last year’s Dzud tested them like never before. She recalled the daily anxiety and desperation of checking on her animals every morning.“Our animals were starving--I fed them boiled tea because we had nothing else”. At one point, snow sealed theirger - traditional Mongolian house- shut, and her husband had to lift her through the roof so she could dig them out. By spring, they had lost over two-thirds of their livestock.From the earliest signs of crisis in December 2023, the Mongolia Red Cross Society (MRCS) mobilized over 900 trained volunteers to reach over 5,000 herder households across 21 provinces.Through the CHF2.7 million Emergency Appeal which the IFRC launched together with MRCS, animal care kits enabled herders to protect their remaining livestock, and with multipurpose cash, they bought food, fuel and animal hay and fodder.As the disaster posed a profound psychosocial toll on the affected herders, the operation also delivered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), reaching 11,350 people and enabled 12 permanent MHPSS counseling stations along with essential training for MRCS staff and volunteers.Surveys showed that the majority of households were satisfied with the overall assistance. “The cash and items were so helpful. You couldn’t imagine how grateful I am,” Uransaikhan said. Under the cash programme and with the animal care kits, herder families including Uransaikhan were able to buy fuel and food to survive the worst weeks and protect their remaining animals.In addition, IFRC mobilised 7 IFRC surge experts to provide technical support to the MRCS in ensuring the high-quality delivery of the planned interventions and going deep into the hardest-hit fields to help strengthen the MRCS capacity to respond to the disaster.From recovery to long-term adaptation: Building a climate-resilient future“Dzud is a disaster that touches every part of a herder’s life,” said Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary General of the MRCS.“We witnessed Dzud happen more frequently from one time in ten years to every two to three years. Our goal was to provide emergency aid to help herders survive this disaster, regain livelihood and strengthen long-term resilience and adaptation.”As the weather transitioned, this operation continued with a focus toward recovery and building herder families’ resilience. By spring 2025, 30 animal winter shelters along with sanitation facilities were built, supporting 126 herders to better protect their livestock. Through income diversification and small business grants, the IFRC and MRCS helped herders generate different streams of income.While the operation has concluded, the commitment to long-term recovery and climate preparedness remains strong. The 2023-2024 Dzud underscored the severe challenges climate change poses.Looking ahead, the MRCS, with the IFRC support, is working on a Climate Resilience Strategic Framework 2025–2032 to proactively reduce climate risks and strengthen community-led adaptation and response capacity.“Even in the harshest landscapes, we saw immense generosity, strength, and spirit of mutual support, even when people endured so much loss,”said Olga Dzhumaeva, Head of the IFRC East Asia Delegation. “Our focus will be on long-term climate adaptation through early warning systems, diversified and resilient livelihoods, and innovative climate-smart solutions. Working with the MRCS, we will continue to strengthen community resilience and secure a sustainable future.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beijing:Kexuan Tong,+86 13147812269In Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances,+60 19 271 3641In Geneva:Scott Craig: +41 76 370 3575

Cholera in Côte d'Ivoire: At a bustling waterside hub, Red Cross takes on cholera

When seven people died within just a few days in Vridi Ako in Côte d'Ivoire in May 2025, no one suspected cholera.Many believed the deaths were the result of a curse or fetishistic practices, beliefs that are still deeply rooted in this coastal village in the municipality of Port-Bouet, which sits on a strip land between the Ebrié Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean.“We didn't understand,” says N'Sranna Sagou Hervé, the village chief. "Many of us thought it was spiritual."However, one disturbing detail linked all the deaths: They had suffered from diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. These symptoms were alarming enough for the health authorities to launch an investigation. Laboratory tests confirmed what few people had imagined: cholera, a waterborne disease that had not been seen in Côte d'Ivoire for 15 years, was back.And it came back across many parts of the country.As of 3 August, 491 cholera cases and 20 deaths were reported across Cote d’Ivoire. Vridi Ako alone accounted for 198 cases and 7 deaths. The outbreak has since spread to other areas, including Yopougon Est, Sa Sandra (San Pedro) and Jacqueville.In Vridi Ako, most of the inhabitants live in makeshift dwellings, with very limited access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. It is also a cosmopolitan village of more than 19,000 people who come from across West Africa, including Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Senegal. These are all conditions ripe for the rapid spread of disease across a wider region.A rapid and coordinated responseThe Côte d'Ivoire Red Cross, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Movement partners, was among the first to respond. Working closely with the Ministry of Health, WHO, and UNICEF, the Red Cross launched a rapid and multisectoral emergency operation aimed at containing the outbreak.Key actions included mobilizing and training over 125 volunteers, raising awareness in communities, disinfecting high-risk areas, installing handwashing stations, identifying suspected cases, and referring them to health centres for treatment.Community engagement is at the heart of the response. Red Cross Volunteers go door to door, speaking in local languages, explaining what cholera is and how it spreads, and most importantly, how to prevent it.“At first, it wasn’t easy. People were afraid,” says Aichatou Souley, one of the trained volunteers. “They had heard of cholera, but didn’t know how to protect themselves. We had to offer more than information—we had to build trust.”In Vridi Ako, handwashing stations have been installed in key public areas, including the bustling quay where boats ferry hundreds of passengers across the Ebrié Lagoon each day. The risk of contamination is high, but so is the level of vigilance.Each day, Konan Coulibaly and a team of volunteers make sure every passenger washes their hands before boarding or disembarking. Just a few metres away, Amadou Tembaly, another volunteer methodically disinfects the boats with a chlorine solution.“It may seem like a simple task, but it makes a real difference,” Amadou says. “Every boat or motorcycle taxi we clean is one less opportunity for the disease to spread.”Kouadio Amoin, a nurse at the Vridi Ako health centre, underscores the importance of this community-based action. “Without the Red Cross’s rapid intervention, we would have seen many more cases. Their presence truly made a difference.”To support the response, the IFRC allocated 159,915 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). As the outbreak continues to spread to new areas, the IFRC is now working to triple this amount to help the Red Cross of Côte d’Ivoire scale up its response and address growing needs.Learn moreUnderstanding cholera and the IFRC approach to prevention and containmentHow the IFRC works to prevent epidemics and pandemics

Programmatic Partnership in the Americas: Case studies

This document is a compilation of ten case studies that bring together success stories and technical documents based on the results of the Programmatic Partnership in Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.

From Hong Kong to Nepal: Youth volunteers empower village communities through health education

In June 2024, a team of 20 university students from the Hong Kong Red Cross University Club traveled to Nepal for a nine-day programme to promote health education, community engagement, and humanitarian values. This programme is Hong Kong Red Cross University Club’s annual event.This year, the students collaborated with the Nepal Red Cross Society and aimed to strengthen global connections and highlight the role of youth in building compassionate communities across borders.Tam Wai Yan Dorothy was one of them on this trip. To mark International Youth Day (August 12) in 2025, we asked Dorothy to share her experiences connecting with students and other young people in another part of the world.Volunteer teaching sessions in rural schools“Over the course of two days, my team and I conducted educational sessions at Faleni Secondary School and Adarsha Bal Secondary School in Lamjung, Nepal, where Hong Kong Red Cross has been supporting the Inclusive and Resilient Community with Empowered and Engaged People (ICE) project in partnership with the Danish Red Cross and Nepal Red Cross Society in the same district.“Our initiative focused on promoting essential knowledge across several key areas: food nutrition and healthy habits, career planning and life aspirations, and positive thinking with an emphasis on mental wellness.“While the language and cultural differences occasionally posed challenges, I found that humility and affectionate gestures—like smiles and waves—easily bridged the gap. Even a hug or eye contact was enough to establish a connection.“I was then organized into a small group with students from the Junior Red Cross Youth Circle for interactive sessions alongside other Hong Kong volunteers. This day then began with a series of dynamic team-building games. including musical chairs, the Da Vinci Bridge challenge, and other cooperative activities, designed to strengthen our problem-solving skills and foster collaboration.“Interactive experiences, like exploring scientific concepts by building water rockets and playing classroom games, brought moments of joy and genuine bonding between us and the students.“They even taught me their slogan so I could be a part of their group for that day. I couldn't believe how quickly I became comfortable with the students and other volunteers.Inspired by Resilience and Hope“Among all the moments, one story left a lasting impression on me. During a career- planning session at the first school, I invited some students to share their dreams and future career plans.“One student, who had dreamt of becoming a volleyball player, shared her newfound ambition with me: to become a doctor; a goal inspired by her desire to help her family and explore the world.“What seems achievable to me may be an unreachable dream for others. That moment reminded me how education can empower young people to rewrite their futures. I was truly glad to be part of this teaching trip.“Another student voiced his aspiration to me to become a professional gamer, acknowledging the difficulty of entering the gaming industry and making a sustainable living in such a competitive field.“I responded to him in this way, hoping to offer a message of encouragement and empowerment. ‘No matter how difficult or impossible it seems, there is always someone who takes the first step and brings about change.’ Strengthening Global Humanitarian Connections"After the teaching programme, I met with local Red Cross staff, youth leaders, and beneficiaries from the ICE project. This was an initiative launched by the Danish Red Cross in partnership with the Hong Kong Red Cross, aimed at supporting the Nepal Red Cross Society in strengthening community resilience and inclusion within the Nepalese community. Hearing heartfelt comments from the beneficiaries reaffirmed for me the impact of collaborative humanitarian efforts.“The Nepal Service Trip 2024 didn’t just uplift the communities we served, it transformed the youth who took part. This journey taught me that humanity knows no boundaries. We youth have the heart and power to lead change; even globally.”By Tam Wai Yan Dorothy, Hong Kong Red Cross, Branch of Red Cross Society of ChinaBuilding on this impactful experience, the Hong Kong Red Cross (HKRC) continues to empower young humanitarians through global collaboration. This summer, another RCU member participated in the International Service Learning Programme – Nepal Community Resilience WASH Project Final Review, jointly organized by HKRC, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).This initiative invites a youth member to contribute directly to capture critical WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) efforts in Nepal, while gaining exposure to international development and disaster preparedness.Through ongoing projects—including youth exchanges, volunteer capacity-building, and cross-border humanitarian education—Hong Kong’s youth are taking bold steps to become the change makers of tomorrow.

Red Cross youth camps in the Americas: A chance to grow, celebrate and keep the flame of humanity alive

At a time when the challenges humanity faces seem increasingly complex, and the only consistent feature of modern life is rapid societal and technology change, the creativity and energy of young people is more critical than ever. Young people have a unique ability to adapt, propose innovative solutions, and redefine humanitarian leadership for the future—yet they often face an uncertain path, unsure of how to make a meaningful impact.That’s why National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies organize youth camps that give them opportunities to learn, grow, and build lasting connections, trusting that they will become the next generation of humanitarian leaders.Latin America is one of the regions where this tradition is especially strong: every year, hundreds of young people come together to share cultures, celebrate local identities, and connect with others from the youth movement, both within their countries and around the world.2025 is no exception. As we mark International Youth Day, we share the story of this long-standing regional tradition, which is more relevant than ever."In the 1980s, several thematic volunteer networks were created, including the first aid and paramedic networks. This began to be used more in Central America, then spread throughout the continent. In fact, there were Central American first aid camps, as well as camps focusing on other topics. From there, youth networks and camps also emerged.”Andrés Morales, Thematic Lead for Volunteer Development and Youth Engagement for the IFRC in the Americas.Currently, there are three youth networks in the Americas: Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Not all countries hold the camps, and the frequency varies according to local capacity. However, in countries such as Mexico and Costa Rica, the camps have been held consistently over time and are held every year.This year, Costa Rican Red Cross welcomed seven delegations of young people from the Red Cross in Italy, Mexico, Panama, the United Kingdom, the United States, Suriname and Venezuela. From Costa Rica, there were more than 500 young people from all over the country.“The Red Cross youth programme in Costa Rica has been around for over 100 years. We have been running camps for over 50 years.”Dyanne Marenco, President of the Costa Rican Red Cross, during the Coatí 2025 camp in January this year.“We really enjoyed the recreational and cultural activities and spending time with fellow members from other National Societies.”Sergio Jaén , National Director of Red Cross Youth in Panama, who participated in the Costa Rican Red Cross camp.Uruguay, Panama and Chile are examples of countries that also held camps in the first months of this year to strengthen the technical and leadership skills of young volunteers.In Mexico, the Mexican Red Cross national youth camp is taking place at the time of this publication, from August 6 to 9.“We are gathering in Morelos, in Tepoztlán, with more than 1,500 young people from all states of the Republic. We will be spending four days sharing knowledge, emotions, and, among all of us, family ties.”Judith López, from the National Youth Coordination of Mexican Red Cross.What are the youth camps like?Every camp is unique, whether it lasts one day or three, or whether it involves dozens or hundreds of participants. The important thing is to create a space where people can meet and share.“It's a place where young people can develop, learn, grow a lot as individuals, and have fun while doing something good for others. For me, being a Red Cross volunteer is an opportunity to grow as a person and develop skills that can be useful in my personal life and in my future professional life.”Luisa Ana Paula Carrasco, a volunteer and participant in the Red Cross Youth camp in Chile.From Andrés' perspective, beyond the tents and cooking stoves, a Red Cross youth camp is a place where four major dimensions come together:1. Celebration of young people and their communitiesThe camps recognize and celebrate the diversity of young identities within the Red Cross Movement, as well as the power of young people in humanitarian action.Meals, customs, dances and music from different regions of each country are shared at the camps, enriching the experience and promoting enjoyment and healthy interactions.2. Sharing achievements and experiencesFrom environmental and migration initiatives to mental health and road safety campaigns, camps provide the perfect opportunity to showcase the successes of youth programmes and share experiences and insights with people from different places.3. Learning and growthFrom first aid to reproductive health education, young people gain the tools they need to make a positive impact in their communities.At the camps, young people facilitate practical workshops, disaster simulations, sports competitions, rallies involving physical and mental challenges, and cultural presentations. These activities strengthen personal growth and leadership skills.4. Connecting with other peopleThe most compelling reason to organise a camp is to meet people from different places and backgrounds who share the same Red Cross values.Connecting with young people from different places, including other countries and continents, broadens your worldview and inspires you to work towards your dreams and goals.“The Red Cross is a place where I feel safe to share my ideas, to share what I think, and to share what I have to contribute to society, knowing that these ideas will be heard and taken into consideration."Alexandra Fernández, volunteer and participant in the Uruguayan Red Cross youth camp.Why are these camps important?For Andrés, these spaces serve as a reminder that, even in times of crisis and disaster, there is a network of young people willing to support their communities and help those in need.Additionally, camps and youth programmes frequently provide opportunities for nurturing new leadership within the Red Cross. Many current board members began their journey in a youth programme. This shows, yet again, that investing in young people is investing in the future of humanitarian action.“What I have learned at the Red Cross is that it doesn't matter what color your skin is, how much money you have, or anything else, because we will always help those in need.”Allison Gutiérrez, a young volunteer and participant in the Costa Rican Red Cross youth camp.If you are a young volunteer interested in organizing a camp or similar activity, contact your nearest Red Cross branch. Sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement to make our dreams come true.Read more about Red Cross Red Crescent youth initiatives:Uruguayan Red Cross project sends life-saving message: the lives of young people cannot be left just to chance – suicide is preventable | IFRC

'A child belongs to the community': Mothers take the lead in fight against hunger in northern Nigeria

World Humanitarian Day: ‘If I can help my mother, I can help my community too’

“It was early 2011. Something strange started happening to our neighbours—they said they were ill and wounds started appearing on their skin.”A nurse from Karangmojo village in Boyolali, Indonesia, Siti Imroatus begins the story that would change her life, and the lives of many in her community. It happened nearly 15 years ago, when a mysterious series of events began to befall her small community rural community.“We knew it was something to do with their cows, which they’d recently slaughtered to eat and sell”.It was this experience, the effect it had on her own family, and the process of solving this mystery that Siti (known to friends and family as “Bu Im”) to join the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia). It was also the beginning of a determined, long-time commitment from Bu Im to keep working to ensure this kind of outbreak wouldn’t happen again.On World Humanitarian Day2025 (19 August), we unite with humanitarians around the world under the banner #ActforHumanity to honour the courage of people like Siti, whotake the initiativeto protect others and save lives — even while they themselves are affected by the same challenges.This is Siti’sstoryin her own words.“Local health authorities came to investigate and it turned out to beanthrax, an infectious disease spread through animals which is caused by the bacteria Bacillus anthracis.“My mother fell sick, too, because she had handled a piece of meat that was apparently infected. She then had wounds on her hands and I immediately took her to the nearest hospital so she could be treated.“I knew I had to act quickly and because when she was treated quickly, she healed faster. I was living elsewhere at the time, but I stayed with my mother and took care of her until she got completely better.“I thought, if I can help my mother, I can help my community too. I wanted to motivate people and give them advice on how to stay healthy so we can avoid another outbreak—of anthrax or of any other disease. So that’s why I became a Red Cross volunteer.“In 2018 I joined the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme, which we call ‘CP3’. It’s a programme that helps communities like mine in Indonesia to be prepared for and to prevent disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.“When I joined, I was trained inepidemic control andcommunity-based surveillance so I could advise my community on different infectious diseases and report anything unusual.“Communities may not be very well-informed about anthrax. But it is a serious disease which can infect animals and humans, and old people in my community are especially vulnerable.“The other year there was an anthrax outbreak in Yogyakarta and several people died. So I keep educating my village with my fellow volunteers because I want my family to be healthy and I want my community to be healthy.“The best thing about being a volunteer is being useful to my family and the community. I know that if I can detect and report diseases quickly, we will all be safer.”---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 theU.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.To learn more about anthrax and other infectious diseases,visit the IFRC’s Epidemic Control Toolkit.If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.  For World Humanitarian Day 2025, learn how you can support those who #ActforHumanity.World Humanitarian Day 2025: An urgent call to honor, respect and protect those who #ActforHumanityStand with us to protect humanityHonor the fallen: visit the IFRC In Memoriam pageSupport the Red Family FundMake a donation to the Red Family Fund

The Lebanese Red Cross, IFRC and Gavi protect 19,000 displaced children from preventable diseases in Lebanon

Produced in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance's VaccinesWork platform. Written by Sara Matar.On a sun-scorched, treeless hilltop in Hermel, northeastern Lebanon, more than twenty tarpaulin tents cluster together on dry, cracked earth. This makeshift settlement — one of several recently established camps — is now home to around 280 refugees from Syria. There is no running water or electricity. Open sewage threatens to contaminate drinking and cooking water, and disease spreads rapidly, as it often does in overcrowded, displaced communities. Life here is difficult for everyone, but especially so for children.Eight-year-old Batoul Jardo, who fled Homs, Syria, with her family a few months ago, has tears in her eyes as she asks, "How are we supposed to live in the midst of this hell?"Seven-year-old Baneel Kazem Hammoud, also from Syria, scratches her arms in discomfort, the result of a painful skin infection. Thankfully, her illness is not life-threatening. But even small gaps in healthcare access can spark deadly outbreaks. In high-risk environments like this, vaccination is more than healthcare, it’s protection.A protective shieldBetween December 2024 and April 2025, a vaccination campaign led by the Lebanese Red Cross (LRC), in coordination with the IFRC and the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, immunized 19,000 children — Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian — living in the country’s most vulnerable and underserved communities.The campaign, funded by Gavi, targeted children in four of Lebanon’s most affected governorates: Mount Lebanon, Baalbek-Hermel, Bekaa, and Akkar."Given the displacement, poor access to primary healthcare, and Lebanon’s ongoing crises, this programme helped us reach the most at-risk children and reconnect them with the routine immunization system,” said Tasneem Obeid, Senior Immunization Officer at IFRC. “Raising awareness and delivering vaccines in underserved communities remains critical."Lebanon’s recent history has been shaped by a series of overlapping crises: a financial collapse, a global pandemic, the catastrophic Beirut port explosion in 2020, and multiple regional conflicts spilling into the country. These events have compounded public health challenges.The Lebanese Red Cross, supported by over 12,000 trained volunteers and equipped with robust data systems, is playing a vital role in bridging gaps in healthcare access, and is working to rebuild trust in vaccines and restoring routine services disrupted by COVID-19.Closing the gap after COVIDThe pandemic not only disrupted health services, but it also eroded public confidence in vaccines. Misinformation surged in 2021, prompting the Lebanese Red Cross to launch a nationwide campaign. In October and November of that year, the National Society deployed 33 mobile clinics to remote and underserved areas, delivering life-saving vaccines and reliable health information.Kassem Shaalan, Director of the LRC’s Disaster Risk Reduction Unit, says the recent Gavi-funded project significantly expanded their reach:"From October 2021 to April 2025, LRC vaccinated over 700,000 children,” he said. “Thanks to Gavi’s latest support, we reached 19,000 children in just five months, a vital response to the growing needs of displaced families following the recent escalation of hostilities."He added: "With this new funding, we increased the number of mobile vaccination teams from seven to twelve. These teams were deployed based on need, especially in overcrowded areas like Akkar, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel."Building trust, one mother at a timeIn a refugee camp in Zahle, Bekaa Governorate — home to around 200 Syrian children — an LRC mobile team is working to prevent outbreaks. The team includes a medical supervisor, a lead nurse, a data officer, a team leader, and two volunteers.One of their strongest allies is Rabea’a Al-Hussein, a mother of five who has been living in the camp since 2014. Her youngest children were vaccinated by LRC teams, and now she volunteers to help. She moves between tents to notify other parents of upcoming visits and comforts nervous children during the vaccination process.For her, the trust-building aspect is just as important as the medical care. "It’s not only the vaccines that matter," she says, "It’s how they calm our fears."In Fakeha, Baalbek, 34 kilometres north of Zahle, Nermine Waleed Hussein — a displaced Lebanese mother of two — agrees:"Awareness sessions helped mothers like me understand how crucial vaccines are. I always check my phone for updates to make sure my children are safe. I’m truly grateful for all the support we’ve received."Hope amid hardshipBaalbek-Hermel Governorate alone hosts 150 shelters, ranging from small hilltop clusters like the one Batoul and Baneel live in, to much larger settlements. These shelters are home to nearly 90,000 displaced people. Health staff report recent outbreaks of measles and hepatitis — both vaccine-preventable diseases. But in these conditions, controlling fast-moving infections is a constant challenge.Still, the lines of children queuing for vaccinations offer a sign of hope. Nurses say the turnout is always strong, and communities are increasingly engaged.For Hala Hassan Jardo, Batoul’s mother, the presence of Lebanese Red Cross health workers is a rare comfort."We fled Homs five months ago," she said. “No one helped us except the Red Cross, they brought vaccines, medicine, awareness — real healthcare.”

Hurricanes in sight: the Red Cross scales up training and preparedness

With the Americas region now well into the 2025 hurricane season, Red Cross teams in the region have been busy working alongside communities to prepare for what forecasters say will be yet another above-normal storm season.But even an average hurricane season can have devastating consequences for the people, as all it takes is one storm to affect entire towns and cities. That is why Red Cross preparedness work was already well underway even before this year’s forecast.The National Societies of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are among the most vulnerable to these extreme events due to their geographical location. The scale of the preparedness work now going on across the Americas is largely due to the experience with extremely devastating storms in the past – in particular Hurricane Mitch in 1998.Hurricane Mitch’s devastating passage left more than 11,000 people dead and millions affected, marking a turning point in the way National Societies in the region prepare for such extreme events. For people involved in emergency response and risk reduction, the storm was a game changer.Two decades later, in 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota affected more than seven million people, most of them — more than four million — in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, the countries that had also been hardest hit by Mitch.But the results were different. In the time between one tragedy and another, the region and humanitarian organizations prepared in advance with response plans, training, drills, and institutional strengthening to reduce the impact of these disasters. This allowed the number of fatalities from Eta and Iota to be much lower than that of Mitch.From Mexico to South America, many National Societies have transformed the terrible experience of Hurricane Mitch into concrete action. Their mission: to be better prepared each year to respond more quickly and effectively to the arrival of potential hurricanes.Here are just a few of the many ways Red Cross National Societies in the region are working to get ahead of the storms and help communities prepare.Salvadoran Red Cross: Pre-positioning of humanitarian aid and access to weather forecastsThe Salvadoran Red Cross has contingency and response plans, which allow for more agile responses to extreme rainfall and landslides caused by tropical storms and hurricanes. According to Omar Ayala, Head of Crisis and Disasters at the Salvadoran Red Cross, the National Society has pre-positioned materials for humanitarian aid in its branches, guided by the nationalHazards Observatory’s forecasts.“This strategy has significantly reduced response times: what could previously take up to two days, is now done in just two hours,” assures Omar. Furthermore, in the context of monitoring and early warning, the Salvadoran Red Cross has recently signed a letter of understanding with the Hazards Observatory: “This agreement allows us to access weather forecasts early to be better prepared for the eventual arrival of a hurricane,” says Omar.In preparation for this and the coming hurricane seasons, the National Society wants to promote the preventive outreach of populations in at-risk areas even more, so they know what to do before, during and after a hurricane strikes.Honduran Red Cross: Early Warning Systems and strategic alliancesIn Honduras, Red Cross teams has invested in technical training for volunteers and staff in topics such as water rescue, pre-hospital care, cash transfer systems, water, sanitation and hygiene, and unmanned aerial systems.The Honduran Red Cross also highlights its investment inEarly Warning Systems (EWS) (specific measures guided by early warnings or forecasts to protect people before a disaster strikes), implemented in watersheds such as Chamelecón and Aguán."The experience withTropical Storm Sara, the last of the 2024 hurricane season, which affected more than 300,000 people in Honduras, showed the value of communities taking ownership of these early warning systems to ensure that the vulnerable populations receive the necessary information in time. That preparedness saved lives," says Manuel Isaula, risk and disaster manager for the Honduran Red Cross..Another good practice in the face of tropical Storm Sara was establishing strategic alliances with national and international actors: “Effective coordination between government, non-government, and community organizations to ensure the appropriation of knowledge, risk analysis, monitoring, and response capacity was and will always be key in our preparedness and response plans,” Isaula concludes.Guatemalan Red Cross: Development of Anticipatory Actions and Contingency PlansTeresa Marroquín, Director of Risk and Disaster Management at the Guatemalan Red Cross, says the National Society has strengthened its hurricane response capacity through several key actions –In particular the development of “early-action plans” that lay out key steps to take before the storms make landfall.“Early Action Plans (EAPs) funded by the IFRC have been developed to respond to flooding caused by extreme storms,”Marroquin says. “One successful example was the activation of Early Actions Plans duringTropical Storm Julia in October 2022, which helped us to provide a better response to those who needed it most.”Close coordination with official weather forecasting sources is key to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian operations during the hurricane season. Teresa also stresses the importance of developing contingency plans, providing training, and equipping volunteers for pre-hospital care and search and rescue in floods, especially in high-risk areas.'A key tool for understanding'Another key element to prepare for the hurricane season within the Red Cross world is the continuous learning and training of National Society staff and volunteers.In 2024, with support from theReference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness (CREPD) in the Americas, more than 6,000 people were trained, both online and in person, through courses and practical training at the regional level, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge in search and rescue, health, humanitarian assistance, and logistics coordination.According to Edgardo Barahona, CREPD Coordinator, these training sessions, based on practical exercises and emergency simulations, not only strengthen the technical capacities of National Societies, but also promote comprehensive preparedness in line with IFRC global standards:"They are a key tool for understanding the usefulness of response, contingency, and anticipation plans,”he says.“Through experiential methodologies and simulated scenarios, teams can directly experience the challenges of an emergency, allowing for better operational coordination." says Barahona.According to the CREPD Coordinator, preparing teams at the local level allows National Societies to lead high-quality, timely responses, tailored to address the demands of each specific context, especially in the face of events such as hurricanes or other frequent disasters in the region.This type of preparedness is critical because the hurricane season threatens not only countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, but also more than 30 territories in the Americas, which face increasing risks due to extreme weather events aggravated by climate change.That said, the experiences in Central America confirm a vital lesson: preparedness is not optional, it is key to save lives. It requires sustained investment, strong partnerships, and the strengthening of National Society capacities to deal with crises and disasters – all of which are core elements of the IFRC’s regional approach to helping communities prepare for every coming storm season.Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to:Climate-smart disaster risk reductionDisaster and crisis preparednessEarly warning, early action

'The deaths must stop': IFRC Secretary General speech for World Humanitarian Day 2025

On World Humanitarian Day (August 19, 2025) I had the solemn duty of reflecting on the rising attacks against our staff and volunteers, and calling for stronger protection of humanitarian workers. The event was hosted by the IFRC with the support of the Australian mission in Geneva.At the IFRC, we’re proud to support the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel – an Australian Government initiative which will set out practical and actionable steps to protect humanitarian workers. I was delighted to hear that the Declaration is nearing finalization. States will be invited to commit to driving real, practical action to protect humanitarian workers very soon.Below is the is the speech I gave during the event:"Until four days ago, Honelegn Fentahun was one of our best. Dedicated to the collective mission of the Red Cross, Red Crescent family. Honoring our Fundamental Principles. Local to his community. Committed to it. He was part of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society's North Gondar team.But, on 14 August, as Honelegn and two colleagues were returning from delivering an ambulance to Janamora district – their vehicle was intercepted, and they were kidnapped by armed men. The three were released the next day, without their vehicle. But Honelegn’s health had been gravely affected. He died on August 15.Awful. And – tragically – just the latest.This year our National Societies have lost EIGHTEEN people while on duty. Honelegn’s death is not an exception — it is part of a worrying trend.Take another – more horrific still. Rifatt Radwan was 23-years-old; a volunteer with the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS). A dedicated humanitarian, serving his community.With whatever he could earn, he supported his ill father and dreamt of continuing his studies. But before he could fulfill those dreams, Rifat was killed on duty alongside SEVEN fellow PRCS ambulance staff, in Tel-Al-Sultan, Rafah. Their bodies were found buried in the sand, still wearing their red vests.Rifat and Honelegn’s stories are among many. Far too many.In 2025 alone, the PRCS has lost 9 colleagues on duty. Since October 7, 2023, 31 colleagues from the PRCS have died. Magen David Adom – our National Society in Israel - has lost 6 colleagues since the same date.In 2024 overall, 32 volunteers and staff of National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies lost their lives. And I repeat - already 18 colleagues from our members have been killed on duty this year. All local. All working to save lives in their communities.I’ve visited lots of National Societies this year, from Syria to Somalia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Lesotho - and one thing keeps standing out. While, with funding cuts particularly, many international organizations are leaving, National Red Crescent and Red Cross staff and volunteers remain. They are often the only ones on the ground.They do the work so necessary and yet so often overlooked. It’s vital. We must protect it. We must protect THEM. In the last few years, our volunteers have become targets. The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems on their vests and helmets – which should be shields – are ignored.That’s why we back – 100 per cent - the forthcoming Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel to protect humanitarian workers. This declaration is a big step forward in protecting those who protect others . . . particularly LOCAL workers, committed to the communities in which they live and work. And I applaud the leadership of Australia in this regard.At the IFRC, we do not start and stop at condolences. We stand up to protect those we can. This is the work we've been doing for some time. This year, and especially today, we are pushing for our #ProtectHumanity exhibit with the names and photos of colleagues lost in the course of their work.We must and do mourn but today is also about looking forward - committing to action that puts an end to violence against humanitarian workers. So, here’s what we are doing.First: supporting families. Last year at our General Assembly we launched the 'Red Family Fund’ to support families of those killed on duty. The fund is a sign of solidarity, to show families they are not alone. We welcome the efforts of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to promote the Red Family Fund as part of their World Humanitarian Day campaign. If you’d like to contribute anything – big or small – donations can be made through this link.Second, we must raise awareness. We want the world to know the names and if possible, the stories of those we have lost. That’s why I started with two today. We urge people to use their voices to say humanitarians are NOT a target, to raise awareness in their own networks and communities . . . and to urge leaders to uphold their obligations under international law.Finally, we must seek action. And that is why the Declaration that Clare mentioned, and we’re committed to, is so vital.As part of its ongoing commitment, the IFRC is collecting messages of solidarity and condolences in two dedicated books: one for the families and colleagues of those who have died, and another to express support, empathy, and unity with staff and volunteers. These messages will be shared on International Volunteer Day, December 5, as a gesture of appreciation for the extraordinary dedication of humanitarian workers worldwide.The protection of those who are the frontlines of crises is not optional – it is essential. Their work is vital, yet their safety increasingly fragile. The international community must act decisively and ensure that humanitarian workers are never again treated as targets. The deaths must – I repeat MUST – stop."

Malnutrition Crisis Northwest Nigeria

An estimated two million children suffer from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in Nigeria, yet only 20% are receiving treatment.New primary data collected in July 2025 by the Nigerian Red Cross (NRCS) shows 47% - 47.8% of children assessed are suffering from SAM in three local government areas (Zango and Kankara in Katsina state and Wamako in Sokoto state).The data also shows, in Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, of those assessed, more children are malnourished (moderately and severely) than not malnourished.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal, to support the Nigerian Red Cross (NRCS) in scaling up their response to malnutrition, aiming to reach one million people.Abuja, Nigeria, 19 August 2025 - The malnutrition crisis in Nigeria is escalating and urgent action is needed to save lives. Without immediate intervention, 1.8 million children could die from Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM). According to new data collected by Nigeria Red Cross Society (NRCS), 84% of healthcare facilities in six northern states reported insufficient stocks of lifesaving ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF). At the same time, many key partners are having to withdraw or halt their programming due to funding cuts.The UN are closing half of their health clinics in northeast Nigeria, while states like Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara in the northwest, have been facing a silent emergency for years. MSF conducted a survey at the end of 2024 which showed some local government areas in Katsina had SAM rates of 6.8% - 14.4%, a far cry from the 47% - 47.8% we have seen in neighbouring areas, July this year. The Red Cross are providing funding for ready-to-use therapeutic food and are channelling community volunteers into healthcare facilities to support the treatment of SAM.Alongside alarming SAM statistics reported in Katsina and Sokoto, are concerning moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) figures. In Maradun, Zamfara, 48.5% of children are suffering with MAM. Without improved community-level surveillance and monitoring of MAM cases, the burden placed on local healthcare services, with the appropriate facilities to treat SAM, will be insurmountable. Red Cross volunteers are embedded within their communities and are therefore well placed to conduct this monitoring. In addition, volunteers are teaching women to make a supplementary food called Tom Brown (a locally produced flour mix of grains, soy and peanuts), which can prevent MAM evolving into SAM.Francis Salako, Head of the Abuja Delegation for IFRC says, “Without additional support hundreds, if not thousands, of children will needlessly die of malnutrition in coming months. The fact that, in some LGAs, around 50% of children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition and may need to be hospitalised to survive, is alarming. We need to raise the alarm immediately. Things are going to get worse.”The IFRC recently launched the Africa Zero Hunger Campaign starting with six countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, DRC, Mali, and Zimbabwe. This bold step focuses on addressing hunger in Africa through lasting, community-driven initiatives. You can learn more about the campaign here.Note to editors:Visuals are available for downloadFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]  In Abuja:Aduratomi Bolade +234 803 389 6862; Lauren Sabin +234 813 121 3919In Nairobi:Susan Mbalu +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Hannah Copeland +41 76 236 9109

Epidemic and pandemic preparedness

The IFRC and our National Societies engage and support people worldwide in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response. We help them prepare for, prevent, detect and quickly respond to infectious disease outbreaks—saving countless lives and promoting healthier communities.