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Branch development
Our extensive network of 197,000 local branches ensures the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) remains firmly rooted within local communities.
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IFRC Healthy Ageing Strategy and Operational Framework
The Healthy Ageing Strategy and operational framework 2030 provides strategic guidance and direction to all 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and IFRC Secretariat to prioritize the healthy ageing in development, emergencies and humanitarian contexts across four strongly interconnected pillars: (1) Ensuring the physical and mental health and psychosocial well-being of older people; (2) Addressing ageism, exclusion, violence and neglect; (3) Promoting intergenerational solidarity and dialogue; (4) Positioning IFRC and the National Societies as advocates for voices of older people and healthy ageing.
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World Water Day 2025: Clean water is about safety, health and so much more
For first-grader Alif Aqabat, a young girl from the Yemeni city of Dhamar, school should have been a place of learning and growth. Instead, it became a daily struggle.“I couldn’t use the bathrooms or drink the water,” she recalled. “I told my mom I couldn’t stay because it wasn’t clean.”Alif wasn’t alone. Asmaa School for Girls in Dhamar was facing a major hygiene crisis. The restrooms were in poor condition, and the drinking water wasn’t safe. Teachers, like Afrah Al-Ashwal, who had been educating students there for 15 years, saw firsthand how this impacted the children.“We had lots of problems, especially students catching diseases,” she explained.But change was coming. Thanks to a dedicated water and sanitation project launched by the Yemen Red Crescent, the school underwent a much-needed renovation. New water taps were installed, and proper plumbing was put in place for the bathrooms.The renovations were one of several initiatives by the Yemen Red Crescent Society to upgrade or install new clean water and sanitation services in communities where needs are most acute. The work is supported through a joint initiative of the European Union and the IFRC known as the Programmatic Partnership.At the Asmaa School for Girls, the transformation was immediate.“The project has solved many problems in the school, especially regarding student health,” said Principal Ghada El Shazmi. “It has helped create an attractive and healthy environment for learning.”For Alif, the change meant one thing—she could finally return to school.“One day, I found out they installed clean water taps and fixed the restrooms,” she said. “So I told my mom I wanted to go back.”Now, Alif is back in school, learning, growing, and dreaming of a bright future. A simple change—clean water—made all the difference.From drought to hope: bringing clean water to Yemen’s Al Souq Al JadidIn another Yemeni community, a similar story is unfolding.For years, the women of Al Souq Al Jadid in Yemen’s Kharif District followed a daily routine that was both exhausting and frustrating. With water containers balanced on their heads, they walked long distances to wells—only to find them dry. Sometimes, they would have to trek even farther in search of another water source, their efforts often met with disappointment.Washing clothes was another struggle. Women carried heavy bundles of laundry up to the wells, hoping to clean their families’ clothes, only to discover there was no water. When that happened, their only option was to journey nearly a kilometer away to three rainwater pools.There, they would spend half the day washing blankets, utensils, and clothes—an arduous task made harder by the sheer distance and time involved.Water was a necessity, not just for drinking but for every aspect of life—cleaning the house, washing dishes, doing laundry, and even keeping animals hydrated.Yet, access to clean drinking water was never guaranteed. By the afternoon, water supplies often run low, forcing another trip to the well. The alternative was drinking from a rust-contaminated water tank, turning every sip into a health risk.The consequences of drinking from such contaminated sources can be serious – even deadly. Contaminated water sources in Yemen have led to outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, and other health issues such as kidney problems and other bacterial infections.This is one of the reasons, the Yemen Red Crescent and the Programmatic Partnership embarked on an ambitious project to help alleviate the situation in Al Souq Al Jadid.Over a period of five months, the Yemen Red Crescent oversaw the installation of a reliable water distribution system that is now bringing clean water directly to homes. Today, more than 8,000 people—1,200 families across 900 households—benefit from the project.Gone are the days of waiting for mobile water tankers, uncertain of when the next supply would arrive. Now, water is pumped to a collection tank in Al-Birr and then distributed directly to homes in Al Souq Al Jadid.For the community, this project has been life-changing. The struggles of collecting water from distant wells are over. Women no longer spend hours on the road or at rainwater pools. And most importantly, families now have safe, clean water to drink.“We’re grateful we no longer go to wells,” one resident shared. “Today, we drink clean water, and everyone knows it’s much better than what we had before.”What was once a daily hardship is now a distant memory. Clean water has not just quenched thirst in this community—it has transformed lives.Learn more:Read more aboutWorld Water Day and IFRC’s approach toWater, Sanitation and HygieneRead more about theProgrammatic Partnership.Read more IFRC World Water Day 2025 stories:World Water Day 2025: Angola Red Cross and IFRC bring safe, treated water and hygiene messages to communities hard hit by choleraWorld Water Day: After the quake, Red Cross brings life-changing water to Vanuatu’s hidden communitiesWorld Water Day 2025: From glaciers to the kitchen sink, a story of water and resilience from two mountain villages in Tajikistan
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Afghan returnees: A story of endurance amidst uncertainty
Fatimah sits quietly, her hands trembling as she speaks."We had to leave Pakistan, which was our home for the past 40 years, and now we have no land, no shelter, and no sense of stability,”shares Fatimah (not her real name), a single mother of five children.“I just want my children to have a safe place to grow—somewhere they can call home. We pray for a better future, for support from the government and the international community."Fatimah’s story is not just hers; it resonates with the stories of countless others who are crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan, following a March 2025 decision by Pakistan’s government to resume implementation of a law that requires non-citizens to leave the country.The decision has impacted Afghans disproportionately due to the large population of Afghan citizenship card holders living there with varying levels of legal status in the country.Many of the returning Afghans, however, have lived outside of Afghanistan for a long time, some for their whole lives. Many have never set foot in Afghanistan and now have absolutely no idea about where they will live, how they will feed themselves and their families, or educate their children. Much worse, single female heads of households like Fatimah face even greater hardships, as they need to take care of both their children and manage their household responsibilities.A growing crisisThe number of people sharing Fatima’s experience is overwhelming and it’s growing by the day.Since the deportation plan was first implemented in 2023, almost a million Afghan people (972,400 people as of 23 April 2025) have already crossed via the four official crossing points along the border with Pakistan.In April 2025 alone, more than 118,400 Afghans crossed from Pakistan, 25,600 of whom were deported. On average, 4,000 to 6,000 people cross daily, with women and children constituting a sizable female-headed households.As the returnee situation escalated, the IFRC quickly allocated funds from its Disaster Response Emergency Funds (IFRC-DREF) to help with the initial operations. This was followed by the launch of an Emergency Appealthat aimes to raise25 million Swiss francs for delivery of lifesaving support over the next two years. This covers recovery and reintegration efforts, training aimed at building professional skills, and cash-for-work initiatives—laying foundations for rebuilding lives and restoring dignity.The appeals have helped the Afghan Red Crescent Society provide critical support to thousands of returnees. However, more support is needed to ensure people arriving at camps in Afghanistan can survive day to day in the short term and make a full recovery in the longer term.The first step is simple to find a safe place to stay.Upon arriving at the Afghan border crossing points, they are guided to two temporary campsset up by Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), United Nations agencies and other organizations. The Omari camp is located 6 kilometers from the Torkham border, Nangarhar, and the other is 60 kilometers away in Kandahar (Takht-e Pol).Returnees have to travel to these camps by themselves and so they mainly use local trucks and drivers available at the borders. There are also trucks that provide transportation from Pakistan itself onto Afghanistan.At the temporary camps set up by ARCS, doctors and healthcare volunteers receive returnees and provide them with check-ups, consultations, consultation, food and more.At the border crossing points, ARCS also helps with food distribution, shelter support with tents, healthcare services, information about all other help readily available at the camps by other aid agencies and help with any other pressing needs.Access to basic needsOne of the people who recently arrived is Sadullah, a father of five.“I used to be a shopkeeper in Karachi, where my store was the heart of my family’s livelihood,”he says. “Now, we are forced to return to a land that feels both familiar and foreign. I stand here, lost and afraid, unsure of how to rebuild what we’ve lost.”His words reflect the struggles of many returnees as they grapple with the reality of lost livelihoods and the basic necessities of life—food, shelter, and the means to support their families. Healthcare, for many, feels like a distant dream.Another returnee, Rahimullah, also shares a heart-wrenching story: "I have stomach problems and am now ill. We left everything behind out of fear of detention. My wife died when my baby was only 10 days old and I was left caring for my three daughters and two young sons.”Getting primary health care in the campsAt Omari camp, ARCS (with support from IFRC) treats approximately 700 people with primary healthcare daily, and this includes those who need maternal and child health services such as medical counseling, medicines and injections, and prenatal care.It was here that doctors and midwives of ARCS helped deliver three newborns, whose mothers crossed the border while heavily pregnant.“The midwives are volunteers with Afghan Red Crescent, and they provided lifesaving critical care to the three newborn deliveries in the tent,”one of the ARCS doctor at the camp explains.“They also play a vital role in providing healthcare services to pregnant mothers who perilously cross the border. In addition to this, there are three female nutrition officers in our nutrition section. As of now, we have treated approximately 40-50 women”.Referral and transport to a local hospital is hard as the nearest one is over 100km away.As such, the ARCS medical teams that are present at the camps comprise of both male and female doctors and there are five other Mobile Health Teams of ARCS at the two borders. Aside from healthcare, hundreds of ARCS volunteers are also working to dispense water, set up tents, and provide medical services."It's incredibly heartening to see how even the smallest of our efforts bring relief to families in such difficult times,”says one volunteer at the camp. "Every action helps rebuild hope."
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A simple solution keeping communities in Cameroon hydrated and healthy
One day in July 2023, Rachel and Irene from the Cameroon Red Cross Society were out and about in Bamvele village, Cameroon, running routine health promotion activities as part of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).They’d called a community meeting and were in the middle of sharing important messages about detecting and preventing infectious diseases, when someone caught Rachel’s eye.“We were in the middle of our session when I saw one lady in particular who was doing her washing and listening really closely. When we finished, she approached us to ask us questions. It was at this point she told us about her mother who had been experiencing diarrhoea for two days and who was lying down at home,” she Rachel.The young woman’s name was Najassa. She explained that seeing her mother weak and bedridden for two days had made her extremely worried. But Rachel and Irene reassured her that they could put her mother on the road to recovery using three ingredients she likely already had at home.They proceeded to show Najassa how to prepare something called Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS)—a medically formulated drink used to prevent or treat dehydration caused by diarrhoea or vomiting. ORS works by quickly restoring a person’s fluids and essential minerals and is a vital tool in the fight against diarrhoeal diseases, which remain one of the leading causes of death in low-income countries.Rachel and Irene taught Najassa to mix one litre of drinking water, eight sugar cubes and two to three pinches of salt in a bottle—shaking well to make sure everything was properly combined. They then told her to give the drink to her mother and keep preparing it for her until she felt better.“As soon as I started drinking the solution, I felt my strength come back. My daughter asked me ‘mum, have you drunk all the medicine yet? The Red Cross told me you have to finish it. I’m going to make you some more.’ I finished it all, and by the third day I was no longer suffering from diarrhoea. I trust the Red Cross because the medicine they gave me stopped my diarrhoea, it cured me,” says Amina, Najassa’s mother.Thankfully, Amina made a full recovery. And beyond Amina’s own personal experience, Rachel and Irene have noticed tangible behaviour change within the community in Bamvele when it comes to protecting themselves from and preventing disease outbreaks.“We’ve noticed that now, when people are struck by diarrhoea, they prepare ORS themselves because we’ve shown them how to do it and they are happy. It’s really heartwarming to see,” explains Rachel.Their disease prevention efforts, and those of so many more Cameroon Red Cross staff and volunteers, are also recognized by local health authorities.“The Red Cross plays an important role in supporting our epidemic preparedness and response activities. They’re heavily involved in awareness-raising activities at the community level and provide us with logistical and technical support. The Red Cross and health really go hand in hand,” explains Dr Diane Foe from Cameroon’s Delegation of Public Health in the East region.As for Najassa, she feels the help and health knowledge she received from the Cameroon Red Cross will stay with her for years to come.“If I see someone in my community suffering from this kind of diarrhoea, I'm going to do the same thing I did for my mum. I'll make the solution the Red Cross taught me about. It’s so effective. You can do it at home and it gives you strength so you can get to the hospital.”“Rachel made sure to call me several days later to make sure my mother was okay. She really is an angel for our community. Without the Red Cross, I don’t know where my mother would be right now. So I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”--The activities featured in this article are part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3). 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.
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IFRC Framework for Evaluations 2024
The purpose of the IFRC Framework for Evaluation is to guide how evaluations are designed, planned, managed, conducted, and utilized by the Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its network.
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Article
In the wake of Myanmar earthquake, a mother finds strength in helping others
Yadanar Yu Hlaing Kyuu, a30-year-old single mother of one,recalls the event of 28 March 2025 vividly. She andher family were having lunch in the outdoor, palm-roofed kitchen next to their home in Shwe Lunn Village, Mandalay, when the tremors began.At first, it felt like a minor shake. But soon, the ground shook violently. Yadanar instinctively hid her son under a table in the kitchen and shielded him with her body. Moments later, concrete buildings within their compound began to fall, and their house came crashing down.Yadanar, her son, and other family memberswere lucky to survive with no injuries.In the aftermath, she joined her neighbors in searching for survivors. At the same time, she frantically tried to reach her co-workers at a popular coffee shop in Mandalay to find out whether they were okay.Once telephone lines were restored, and she was able to speak with one of her co-workers,Yadanarlearnt that the shop had collapsed. While she was lucky to have survived, it hit her that she had lost both her home and her job.One hundred days after this life-changing disaster, the memories are still fresh for many like Yadanar who lost homes, livelihoods and loved ones due to the quake. But many here also remember the bravery and solidarity of people like Yadanar, who immediately joined neighbors in searching for survivors and helping people get through those first terrible days.Support from the Myanmar Red Cross, and the IFRC network (which launchedan emergency appeal and allocated 2 million Swiss francs from theDisaster Response Emergency Fund), has also helped people meet basic nutritional, health, water and shelter needs since the quake (see below for statistics on relief already delivered).Looking ahead to the next 100 days, continued local, national and international solidarity will be critical as the Myanmar Red Cross helps even more people such as Yadanar rebuild homes, livelihoods, support their families while preparing for potential future shocks.For this reason, the IFRC is calling for even greater support of its Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal. Helping people to move back to earthquake resilient shelters and rebuilding livelihoods, takes more time and a larger investment than providing immediate relief after a disaster. Still, the IFRC’s international emergency appeal has received only 22 per cent of the funds needed to help the Myanmar Red Cross meet its earthquake response goals.From survivor to volunteerMeanwhile, in Yadanar’s community, solidarity between neighbors is what has helped them to survive day to day. It started from the moment the shaking stopped.As soon as the earth stopped trembling, Yadanar recalls, her family called out for help, a neighbor came and guided them to safety. Looking back, they saw that their home had been completely destroyed.Fearing more tremors, Yadanar’s mother urged everyone to run to a nearby field. While they were running, a second powerful quake struck. Temples and nearby buildings collapsed before their eyes.In the chaos, Yadanar didn’t hesitate to help. She joined efforts to rescue children trapped beneath rubble, using her bare hands to move heavy bricks and debris. With roads blocked and emergency vehicles unable to reach them, injured residents had to be taken to hospitals on motorcycles.For nearly 15 days, families slept in the open field, too afraid to return to their damaged homes as aftershocks continued.When Red Cross volunteers arrived to assess the damage, they visited each household and added Yadanar’s destroyed home to their list. Then, they returned with much-needed aid — tarpaulins for shelter, clean drinking water, and basic shelter toolkits.Impact with dignityFor Yadanar, the dignity kit provided by the Myanmar Red Cross was especially meaningful. At that point, she and her family didn’t even have spare clothes. The dignity kit included essential items for women, giving her comfort and a sense of dignity during a very difficult time.“The personal items and shelter materials helped us stay protected while we had no proper house,” she said. “We were so happy to receive these things, especially because it’s not easy to go out and buy anything after a disaster like this.”Yadanar says she is deeply grateful to the Myanmar Red Cross team and the donors who supported their recovery. She remembers how the volunteers walked from house to house under the hot sun to make sure families like hers were not forgotten.“Their support made a big difference in our lives,” she said. “I pray that all the donor families stay healthy and never have to face something like this.”Just a year before the earthquake, Yadanar went through a personal crisis and even attempted to take her own life. It was her father who saved her. Surviving the earthquake and seeing her son and family safe gave her a new sense of purpose and strength.Today, Yadanar serves as a volunteer camp committee leader at the earthquake relief camp where 126 families are currently staying near her home. She helps collect the names of people in need, organizes lists of homes that require rebuilding, and supports the distribution of relief items.The camp committee prioritizes families that are very poor or unable to rebuild on their own. She also contributes to building temporary shelters. Though she cannot give money, she gives her time and energy to help others in need.“If I can help others in this life, then maybe in the next life, I’ll be in a better place,” she said. “I hope my son will grow up in a happy family, with both a mother and a father.”Yadanar’s greatest hope now is to build a small earthquake-resilient house made of wood – a safe place where her family can live together again.In the meantime, her son is her biggest source of strength. After a long day of volunteering, he runs to her and calls out, “Mommy!” His love and pride push her to keep going. Her mother also encourages her.“My mother says she’s proud of me,”says Yadanar. “And people tell my mother, ‘Your daughter is amazing,’ and that means a lot … And for my son, people say, ‘Your mother is helping others.’ I want him to be proud of me.”Learn more about the IFRC and Myanmar Red Cross response:As of 30 June 2025, with support of theIFRC Emergency Appeal and other International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, as well as other donors, the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has reached almost 200,000 people. This includes:• More than 86,000 people have received health care• More than 1.3 million liters of drinking water have been distributed.• Sanitation and hygiene services have benefitted thousands of people through the construction of latrines, distribution of hygiene kits, and hygiene awareness.• More than 156,000 people have received household items such as shelter kits, mosquito nets, and kitchen sets.• More than 100,000 people have received complementary cash assistance.• 19,000 people have been reached with gender- and age-specific items such as dignity kits, infant kits, and delivery kits.Donate to the Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal
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Press release
Afghanistan population movement: IFRC sounds alarm on severe funding gap
Kabul/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 21 July, 2025 - The IFRC is deeply concerned about the future of people living in and returning to Afghanistan, a country that is already facing multiple, overlapping crises.“If the international community doesn’t step up now, communities in Afghanistan will be overwhelmed by the sheer number of people returning,” said Sami Fakhouri, Head of Delegation, IFRC Afghanistan.More than 2.6 million people have returned from Pakistan and Iran, according to UNHCR data, arriving in a country they must now call home - often with nothing to rebuild their lives.“We’re already having to make tough choices, like whether we have enough funding to continue providing even the most basic support, such as food at the borders for those returning. Right now, only 10 percent of the required funding has been secured,” added Fakhouri.Together with the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners, the IFRC aims to shift its focus toward the longer-term resettlement and recovery of returnees.Support at the crossing pointsAt border crossing points, ARCS is supporting returnees with essential provisions including food, clean drinking water, and vital health services to help them withstand extreme heat. Each day, ARCS distributes over 6,000 hot meals at Islam Qala and 500 at Milak in Nimruz province.Mobile health teams provide outpatient care, while mental health teams offer psychological first aid and counselling. A cash-for-work programme also supports hygiene in camps and provides short-term income.Since April, more than 226,000 people have received support from the ARCS and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners. But with limited resources and more people arriving every day, the pressure on the ARCS, IFRC, and partners is growing rapidly. Without more funding, even basic services—like meals at the border—may have to stop. Urgent support is needed to sustain this life-saving work.Empowering returneesIn the provinces and communities where returnees settle, the ARCS provides training for both men and women to gradually rebuild their lives and better prepare for the future, for example by learning about agriculture or how to better prepare for natural disasters like flash floods.Three families who returned from Iran and seven families who crossed from Pakistan have joined the ARCS Marastoon programme, which offers vocational training for vulnerable returnee women across eight provinces over a three-year period. These families are just a few examples among the millions of people now facing the difficult process of reintegration in Afghanistan.The programme equips women with practical skills to strengthen self-reliance and create income-generating opportunities, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity. This support is especially vital for Afghan women, who continue to face serious barriers to healthcare, education, and personal safety in a context where their rights remain severely restricted.“As millions return to Afghanistan with almost nothing—no homes, no jobs, and no safety net—this is not only a humanitarian emergency but also a test of our long-term commitment to invest in programmes like Marastoon,” says Fakhouri.Action is needed nowThe ARCS has served communities across Afghanistan for decades, supported by more than 26,000 dedicated volunteers and staff. However, without urgent and increased international support, their ability to respond effectively is at risk.More than immediate aid is needed. To help families move from crisis to sustainable recovery, long-term investment in support programmes is essential, empowering people to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope for the future.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] visual materials from Islam Qala are available.In Kabul Nicole van Batenburg, +31 6 38217459 (WhatsApp)Muqbel Sayed Eshaq +93 70 733 6040In Kuala Lumpur Lili Chin, +60 16 2340872 In Geneva Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109
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In pictures: Preventing the spread of anthrax among Maasai communities in Kenya
Kenya Red Cross has been ramping up to help communities stay protected against an anthrax outbreak that has long been spreading among pastoralist communities in Kenya.Because of the stigma and lack of reporting at community level, most cases go undetected, putting many more at risk.But this is beginning to change. For the first time ever, more cases are being brought forward to authorities and responded to, through Kenya Red Cross' work to build community-based surveillance. In addition, more than 24,600 targeted vaccinations of livestock have taken place to protect against anthrax due to these reports.Why are anthrax cases found in Maasai communities?For the Maasai people in Kenya, cows are an intrinsic part of their culture and daily life. Cattle are not simply an income source, but a way of life - they are a symbol of wealth, pride and prosperity. However, this close connection with livestock can also put them at risk of zoonotic diseases, particularly anthrax which has been a recurrent outbreak in Kenya for decades.Cultural practices among the communities often expose them to the diseases, such as cutting open an animal who has died of a disease to locally diagnose the cause of the animal's death. Occasionally if the diagnosis by the community does not seemingly look bad, they end up eating the carcass, which puts them at risk."One health": Our collective responseKenya Red Cross, with the support of IFRC and USAID, has been ramping up epidemic and pandemic preparedness to strengthen communities' resilience - including the Maasai - during and after the epidemics.Focusing in Bomet, Narok, Tharaka-Nithi and West Pokot, Kenya Red Cross is working with governments (Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries), communities, schools, volunteers, local responders and humanitarian partners to collectively prepare for and respond to epidemics.Because more cases have been reported, it has also meant a stronger collective response from communities, volunteers, health professionals and veterinarians. Instead ofthe Maasai and other pastoralist communities eating animals that have been infected by anthrax, they are now calling authorities and disposing of carcasses properly. They are also ensuring their animals are properly vaccinated. Communities are taking up better hygiene practices, including washing hands and properly cooking meatbefore consumption.Empowering students in Maasai communities to end anthraxNaisanta Loso, 13, is a student in Nkoilale Primary School in Narok County, Kenya and a member of a school health club, supported by the Red Cross. This club empowers students to become “champions” in preventing, detecting and responding to disease outbreaks.At the end of 2019 alone, anthrax killed two people in her community, countless livestock and caused many others to get sick. 26 cases of anthrax have been brought forward and rapidly responded to thanks to students like Naisanta who helped their community dispose of anthrax-infected cows before people could get sick.According to Naisanta Loso, when cattle die, the Maasai herders open the dead carcass and traditionally diagnose the cause of the animal’s death. In the process, the community becomes contaminated with the disease.Peter Korir, Naisanta's teacher, helped Naisanta report a case in her community. Together with Naisanta, a veterinary officer was called and the cow was buried. As a key player in community health education, Peter is instrumental in designing and providing community and epidemic and pandemic preparedness through a health club at the school.Changing cultural behaviour can get challenging, however, with interactive learning, teachers can make their learning fun, engaging and attractive. During the health club session, Peter passes key messages about the infectious disease through an interactive storytelling approach. The students learn through traditional songs, poems and skits.“I encourage my students to report any case of anthrax.Prompt reporting of suspected cases may potentially reduce the contaminated of the affected community," explains Peter.It is during these interactive sessions that Naisanta has learned more about anthrax and how to prevent it. She has transferred this knowledge on to her family and community members:My community value cows. It was not easy to convince the community to dispose of a dead cow suspected to have died of anthrax. Today, my community ensures cows suspected to have died of anthrax are buried to prevent further infections.The activities featured in this article are part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3). Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supports 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. Written by: Martha Awino, Kenya Red CrossEdited by: Corrie Butler
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IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030 Brochure
IFRC Health and Care Framework 2030 brochure outlines the IFRC’s approach toward ensuring healthier and more resilient communities around the world.
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Document
IFRC Capacity Building Fund Report 2024
This report showcases how the IFRC Capacity Building Fund responds to National Societies’ diverse development needs through flexible, cost-effective investments. At a time when every contribution to humanitarian funding is being scrutinized for value for money, small-scale CBF investments are unlocking the full potential of National Societies, mobilizing local people and resources to make a difference in immediate crises and in long-term development challenges.
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Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme 2018-2025
The Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) was a USAID-funded multi-country programme that supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and key partners to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond rapidly to disease threats. In doing so, the programme supported them to play a significant role in preparing for future health risks, preventing epidemics and pandemics, and keeping communities around the world healthy and safe.This short brochure sets out what the CP3 programme achieved from 2018-2025 and celebrates the communities, National Societies and key partners who are now better prepared to tackle disease threats.
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IFRC-DREF 2024 Annual Report
The IFRC-DREF experienced a pivotal year in 2024, expanding its capacity to meet increasing humanitarian needs while improving efficiency, accountability, and adaptability. With CHF 85.3 million allocated across 167 operations, the fund supported 97 National Societies and reached more than 24 million people affected by crises, including natural disasters and socio-economic emergencies. These are just some of the key highlights contained in the IFRC-DREF 2024 Annual Report, which provides a detailed reporting on its emergency allocations and operations. As the report explains, 2024 witnessed a significant increase in emergency resopnses when compared to 2023, driven by the growing impact of climate change and complex emergencies worldwide.
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Article
Bangladesh: One year after the cyclone, a new home and a new juice cart brings family new hope
It’s a busy early morning for 40-year-old Jahangir and his 11-year-old son Qayum.Qayum, who studies at Madrasa, is getting ready for school while his father prepares for the work day ahead. Jahangir will accompany his son to school then go on to the market where he sells lemonade from his bright red, bicycle-powered juice cart.Qayum’s mother, Karina (35), is also busy helping her husband pack the cart with all the necessary goods, doing everything with care and love, as their younger son and daughter, continue sleeping peacefully nearby.But daily life in the last year has not always been so peaceful for Jahangir and his family. When Cyclone Remal struck in May 2024, and floodwaters came sweeping through this community and Jahangir and his family lost almost everything – their home and their main source of family income.It has been more than a year since Cyclone Remal struck Pirojpur district, a coastal area of Bangladesh, but the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster is still acutely felt. More than 4.6 million people were affected across 19 districts, and 16 families are still grieving lost loved ones.But life must go on, and communities are working to rebuild their lives and livelihoods. For Karina and Jahangir, things are starting to get back to normal thanks to their participation in a livelihood recovery programme supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and carried out by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS).Together with local communities, the IFRC and BDRCS have supported hundreds of families in Indurkani upazila under the ‘Remal Recovery Operation’ initiative.In the case of Karina and Jahangir, the support has been transformative. Their earnings have doubled, giving them hope and confidence in a better and more sustainable future.“Cyclone Remal took my only asset, my house,” says Jahangir, adding that IFRC support helped his family rebuilt their home and buy a juice cart. In the past, he had to rent the bicycle cart he used to sell juice and snacks. “Now I earn nearly BDT 750–800 (US$ 6-7) daily, whereas before I barely earned BDT 300–500 ($US 2.45-4.00). Now I can send my children to school and take good care of my family.”“I can’t imagine that now I have my own business,” Jahangir shared. “The Red Crescent didn’t just give us aid. They inspired us to stand on our own feet.”Stories like this one are being repeated throughout the district, with families receiving cash support that allows them to address their specific needs within various categories. Each affected family under this initiative, for example, received BDT 85,000 ($695) in cash for shelter, BDT 25,000 ($205) for building or repairing latrines (WASH support), and BDT 35,000 ($286) to rebuild their livelihoods.To benefit from the support for income-generating activities, each family submitted a written request for their preferred livelihood support option, based on their expertise, location, circumstances, available time, and family needs.At the time of this publication:• 192 families received livestock (cows and goats),• 12 families received support for chicken farming,• 23 families were supported to start small businesses (such as shops and tailoring), 36 families received boats and fishing equipment, and• 17 families received vans.Support was also provided to people working as electricians, woodworkers, and who are involved in other income-generating activities.This support for livelihoods is part of the broader Remal Recovery Operation. In Pirojpur and Khulna, for example, 535 affected families have been supported with construction or repair of latrines as part of water, sanitation and hygiene support and shelter rebuilding. In addition to household support, the recovery efforts included the installation of new tubewells.In addition, one cash-for-work programme has resulted in over 6,000 meters of roads being repaired. Meanwhile, an ecologically oriented, disaster risk reduction project has led to 75,000 saplings being planted across nine districts.To help strengthen the health within the affected communities, BDRCS volunteers trained in epidemic control have engaged around 20,000 people, orienting them on communicable diseases, prevention strategies, and vaccines through various community outreach initiatives. Five mother and child health centres have been renovated, and eight centres are equipped to enhance the health services provided by BDRCS.All these recovery efforts were defined by mutual support of community members and Red Crescent volunteers, who helped each other in reconstructing homes and latrines. The recovery strategy also integrated protection, gender and inclusion, psychosocial support, and climate-smart risk reduction initiatives.Listening first: recovery built through community voicesCommunity participation was a critical component in all the recovery efforts. From the outset, BDRCS and IFRC prioritized community-led planning and decision-making. Through extensive needs assessments conducted by the National Disaster Response Team (NDRT), local Red Crescent Youth volunteers and staff from BDRCS and IFRC, these families were identified for tailored support.Communities were not merely recipients of aid; they were active participants, shaping the support they needed most. This included direct involvement in the design of shelter upgrades, sanitation solutions, and livelihood pathways.To ensure accountability, the partners used a “Feedback and Complaint Response Mechanism” that allowed families, especially women, persons with disabilities, and the elderly, to voice concerns, suggest improvements, and co-design solutions.“What makes this recovery operation strong is that it’s inclusive,” said Mehedi Hasan Musa, an NDRT member of BDRCS.“We are listening to the voices of the community and supporting based on their expressed needs. We sat with them on a regular basis, listened to them, and together we came up with the next plan. Most importantly, with their help, we monitor progress and find solutions if there are any challenges.”By Shameul Islam Shovon, senior communications officer, IFRC Bangladesh Delegation with editing by Raqibul Alam/IFRC
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Heatwaves and wildfires in Europe: Red Cross and Red Crescent teams protect people at high risk during scorching heat and fires
As heatwaves and wildfires sweep across Europe – putting lives and livelihoods at risk – Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are responding to escalating emergencies that are hitting hardest on those most vulnerable to their effects.Extreme heat claims thousands of lives every year and the most at risk include older people, outdoor workers, people on the move or experiencing homelessness, and communities in fire-prone areas. “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 for Europe. “Summer after summer, we see that heatwaves are becoming deadlier, fires more intense, and the people most at risk are often the least prepared.”The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ (IFRC) network has mobilized to provide safety tips, check on the most vulnerable and support efforts to battle wildfires. During Europe’s recent heatwave, Red Cross teams are sharing health advice and safety tips, including on how to stay cool and manage sun exposure, recognize the signs of heat-related illnesses, store medication properly and provide care to pets.Helping people stay coolIn Spain’s southern coastal city of Malaga, the Red Cross has set up a “climate refuge”, air-conditioned down to the low twenties, to help residents “cope with the heat in comfort and with company, avoiding the isolation and loneliness” that extreme heat can impose, as people are forced to stay indoors.In other parts of the country, Spanish Red Cross volunteers help people with reduced mobility cool down at the beach through their assisted bathing service. This seemingly small act can make a world of difference to help someone cool down.In Vienna, the Austrian Red Cross is running summer cooling centres, now receiving up to 40 visitors per day. While it is open to all visitors who seek respite from the heat, it particularly addresses older people, children, and people with chronic illnesses.In Greece, the Red Cross activates an Early Action Protocol before heatwaves hit – and volunteers distribute water, isotonic drinks (that help replace fluids and electrolytes), food, and sunscreen, and perform wellness checks with mobile first aid teams. In North Macedonia, the Red Cross volunteers are addressing the severe risks faced by people on the move in such hot weather.“We are seeing an uptick in heat-related medical conditions like dehydration, heat exhaustion, sunburn and heat stroke,” says Sandra Tomovska, the national field coordinator at the Red Cross of North Macedonia.“People lack access to drinking water and shade during their long, exposed journeys on foot. The heat also intensifies their psychological stress.”The mobile teams are distributing hydration supplies and sun protection to people on the move while coordinating with authorities to ensure safe transit amid extreme heat.Extreme temperatures across the continent contribute to intensified wildfires. From Türkiye and Greece to France and Norway, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams mobilize to support responders battling fires. They are providing first aid and delivering water, food, and other essential items to affected people. Extreme heat doesn’t have to become a disaster As climate change pushes average temperatures higher, it is also leading to more frequent extreme heat events. They are arriving earlier, lasting longer, and hitting harder. But it doesn’t have to become a disaster if communities are warned well in advance and prepared. The IFRC urges everyone to take simple, lifesaving steps:• stay hydrated• avoid peak heat hours• check on older people and neighbours• and learn to recognize signs of heatstroke.Strengthening local capacities, such as training volunteers and equipping communities to better cope with and adapt to extreme heat, can mean the difference between life and death.Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are embedded into their communities, which means that they can get help to the right place faster.“Preparedness saves lives. It allows us to protect people before, during, and after emergencies. When we have systems, partnerships, and training in place before an extreme weather event, we can respond within hours — not days,” adds Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen.Stay cool, stay safe: Learn more about heatwavesPractical tips and tools to protect yourself and your community Heat waves | IFRC
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