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

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

What recovery really looks like more than a year after Hurricane Beryl hit Barbados’ fishing communities

By the Climate CentreThe Red Cross in Barbados is helping fishermen who lost everything in Hurricane Beryl last year rebuild their traditional Caribbean fish pots.Actually, rectangular baited traps made from chicken wire and tree branches, the fish pots are regarded as more sustainable than nets and less work than going out to sea every day with a line. “They’re a really important part of local tradition that we’re trying to preserve,” explains Kiri Lizama, Barbados Red Cross Programmes and Operations Manager.“A fisherman could have up to ten fish pots in the water at once,” she adds, but with Beryl – the earliest Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on record – people did not have time to get their fish pots out of the water and safely ashore.“That was quite unexpected and a lot of them would have lost all their fish pots,” Lizama tells IFRC Americas Regional Director Loyce Pace, on a visit earlier this month to one fishing community, Half Moon Fort in St Lucy parish, where the work of rebuilding fish pots is well underway.Raw materialsHurricane Beryl passed 80 miles south Barbados causing devastating damage to the island’s fishing industry; significant damage was caused to over 200 fishing boats and 20 were sunk.The Red Cross has been supporting the fishing families with the raw materials to rebuild, using the traditional skills that Lizama explains are handed down from generation to generation in Barbadian coastal villages.The fish pots are stationed on reefs, rather than sand, and can trap a large variety of local types, including barbers, grunts, snappers, chutes and queen mullets.The fishermen use a combination of GPS and simple triangulation of onshore features to identify the best locations to set the traps and find them again. Unprecedented timingThe work is one element of the Barbados Red Cross recovery programme for communities affected by Hurricane Beryl that has also included cash payments for fish-processing households, essential WASH supplies, and shelter and volunteer management.IFRC-DREF initially allocated 1.7 million Swiss francs to support response by the relevant National Societies, including in Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and an emergency appeal was then launched for 4 million CHF to assist 25,000 people in these countries.Beryl’s intensity in terms of windspeed and barometric pressure was not unprecedented, but itstimingwas, the Climate Centre’s Andrew Kruczkiewicz, a lecturer at Columbia University specializing in remote sensing and early warning, wrote last year.“An additional cause for concern is that Beryl joins the ranks of destructive storms that intensified very rapidly, posing a challenge to preparedness even with the best forecasts science can provide.”It only took Beryl 40 hours to go from a tropical depression to a Category 3 hurricane – tripling its maximum wind speed to at least 180kph as it did so.Read more stories about Hurricane Beryl and Red Cross response:Hurricane Beryl: For hard-hit islands, preparation paid off with rapid response. But recovery is complicated by widespread damage. | IFRCClimate change: Turning storms into ‘monsters’ | IFRC'It’s a hustle': Fish market folk in Barbados experience more struggle since Hurricane Beryl | IFRC

Eswatini: How cash and voucher assistance is empowering women to rebuild after calamity

Even before the floods, life for Banele Mamba was hard enough. But then the floodwaters came and the 31-year-old mother of five had to cope with extensive damage to her family’s home.“Water would seep in through the house,” she says. “I was so worried—especially because I live with chronic illness. I didn’t want the children to get sick from flu, cholera or other diseases.”Banele Mambawas able to fix some of those leaks, make other critical repairs and restock her pantry with support that came in the form of cash and voucher assistance provided by the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.The Red Cross here has been working inpartnership with the IFRC Pretoria Delegation, as part of the EU-funded Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), to deliver cash and vouchers to people impacted by recent floods.Unlike other forms of relief aid such as food or household supplies, cash transfer and vouchers give people such as Banele the power to decide what her families need most following times of crisis.Delivered through mobile money transfers, both the cash and voucher components are redeemed in cash form. This approach empowers families while also supporting the local economy through increased purchasing at community shops and markets.For Banele Mamba, the flexibility of cash support made a world of difference. She used part of the funds to seal parts of the leaking roof and reinforce the walls to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rains.She also used the cash to buy essential food items and toiletries—products that she previously struggled to afford consistently. In months when the household budget was tight, she was therefore able to avoid borrowing from local money lenders.“We believe that people affected by crises are the best placed to decide their needs,”says Tebukhosi Dlamini, Safe and Inclusive Programming Officer at Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.While the EU provided funding, the IFRC contributed technical guidance and policy review support to the Eswatini National Society during the planning and implementation of the programme. In doing so, the IFRC Pretoria delegation applied a protection- and gender-sensitive lens across all stages of the programmatic partnership.“By applying protection and gender-sensitive principles, we ensure that women like Banele are not only included but prioritized in the selection processes,”Dlamini added.Putting inclusion into practiceWomen-headed households, survivors of gender-based violence, caregivers of orphaned children, and other at-risk groups were given high priority, recognizing people in these situations often face greater risks and barriers to recovery."Focusing on women and other vulnerable groups is not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness,”says Boitumelo Phihlela, who works as focal person for protection, gender and inclusion, as well as community engagement and accountability, for the IFRC’s Pretoria Delegation.“When we prioritize those most at risk, we strengthen the entire community’s resilience. Women, in particular, play a vital role in family and community wellbeing, so supporting them directly creates a ripple effect of positive change.“This approach also ensures that protection and dignity are central to our response, which is key to building trust and long-term recovery."The process is guided by inclusive criteria co-developed with the communities,which then participates in applying these standards to all aspects of the initiative.Continued learning and improvement: Key lessons learnedThe cash and voucher assistance programme in Eswatini fits in with larger efforts to continually improve the way the IFRC works with, supports and accompanies communities following crisis.The IFRC Pretoria Delegation and its partners, for example, also use this inclusive mindset – along with cash and voucher assistance – to strengthen long-term resilience local farmers in four other countries in southern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia).The support also comes in the form of seeds and other agricultural inputs—ensuring communities are not only surviving today but are better prepared for the future.Here are a few of the key takeaways from the IFRC Pretoria delegation’s three-year Programmatic Partnership collaboration.Embed protection, gender and inclusion principles throughout all stages of programme design and implementation —ensuring that the unique needs, risks, and capacities of different groups, particularly women, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, are considered and addressed.Prioritize proactive, inclusive community engagementwhere feedback mechanisms are not only established but also trusted and accessible to all segments of the population.Strengthen the feedback loop by ensuring community input is used to inform and adjust programming. The use of community feedback is needed to shape programming decisions which helps build trust and ensures greater accountability to target populations. In one farming community, for example, people noted that the seeds initially provided were not suited to their local soil and climate conditions, which affected crop growth. Upon hearing this, the Red Cross programme adapted by sourcing and distributing more appropriate seed varieties, improving harvest outcomes and reinforcing the community’s trust that their feedback leads to real changes.“It’s not enough to have feedback systems—we must make them visible, trusted, and use them to shape decisions,” said the IFRC’s Phihlela. “That’s how we build real accountability.”Read more about cash and voucher assistance at the IFRCLearn more about the Programmatic Partnership

IFRC Secretariat Policy on Prevention and Response to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) 2024

The purpose of this policy is to: clarify and explicitly extend the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) to all IFRC personnel, covered National Society personnel and our partners; update existing standards and protocols for the prevention and protection of affected persons and communities; articulate and systematise a victim/survivor-centred approach to prevent and respond to incidents of SEA;articulate principles, commitments and the roles and responsibilities of all staff, andreinforce a culture of accountability and commitment to the upholding of Fundamental Principles and operationalisation of the Code of Conduct and Interagency Standing Commission Principles against SEA.

IFRC First Aid Vision 2030

IFRC network has significantly advanced first aid throughout the world. The Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societiesadopted the First Aid Vision 2030 and its operational frameworkduring the General Assembly in 2022. The IFRC First Aid Vision 2030 and its operational framework should be read as part of IFRC First Aid Policy. It covers six priority action areas. These priority action areas serve to focus the efforts of the IFRC and National Societies regarding first aid.

Rooted in resilience: Cambodian Red Cross unites communities to restore mangroves

In southern Cambodia’s Kampot province, a recent mangrove planting event brought together Red Cross volunteers and local residents – young and old – along with the IFRC to restore degraded coastal areas by planting mangrove trees.“What’s special about today is seeing people from all walks of life coming together,” says 76-year-old Cambodian Red Cross volunteer Norm Teat.“Planting mangroves isn’t just about trees—it’s about protecting our future,” he adds. “These trees help prevent coastal erosion, support marine life, and even absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere”.Recognizing also the vital importance of coastal mangrove forests in protecting shorelines during severe storms, the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) is working partnership with IFRC, local communities and other stakeholders to plant mangroves and promote long-term environmental stewardship.These community-based efforts, therefore, are part of a wider campaign to raise awareness and increase resilience to climate-related disasters such as coastal flooding and storms.“In Kampot province, there are more than 800 Red Cross volunteers and more than 1,000 Red Cross youth,” said Men Neary Sopheak, First Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Red Cross.“The Red Cross’s mangrove initiative is a part of our broader commitment to bring healthy and climate resilient communities in Cambodia, By restoring and conserving mangrove forests, we help protect biodiversity, improve water quality, and support the livelihoods of people living along the coast.”Why are mangrove forests so resilient in the fact of severe weather? One reason is that some mangrove trees can “breathe” through aerial roots that rise above the muddy ground like snorkels. This allows them to survive in waterlogged soils.CRC’s approach extends beyond planting. Through community training in mangrove care, disaster preparedness, and environmental protection, the Red Cross is empowering local people to become stewards of their own environment. “The climate is changing, and we must support communities to adapt—especially for the sake of future generations,” said Kathryn Clarkson, IFRC Head of Delegation for Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam.“I’ve joined mangrove planting activities with the Cambodian Red Cross many times, and each time it reinforces how vital mangroves are—not only as a natural defense system, but also as an absorber of carbon from the atmosphere and as a symbol of resilience.”For 76-year-old Mr. Norm Teat, the campaign holds deep personal meaning.“I’ve been a Cambodian Red Cross volunteer since 2014,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve learned so much—about health, disaster preparedness, vegetable farming, and protecting our environment—and I share this knowledge with my family and community”.As mangroves face growing threats from development and climate change, initiatives like these demonstrate the strength of community-led action.In recognition of World Mangrove Day this month, we celebrate the communities working to protect these unique ecosystems — for a greener, safer and more resilient future.By Kwanta Norkum, IFRC Communications and Reporting OfficerRead more about climate-smart disaster risk reduction at the IFRCRead more about climate resilience at the IFRC

Red Cross Mobilises as Storms Slam the Philippines

Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 24 July 2025 – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding on the ground as Severe Tropical Storm Co-may (local name: Emong) and Tropical Depression Francisco (local name: Dante) continue to impact wide areas of the country. Heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions are affecting Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, placing many communities at serious risk. The combined force of these storms is causing flooding, landslides, and coastal disruptions. Metro Manila is experiencing strong rains, flash floods, and heavy traffic due to waterlogged roads and poor visibility.Red Cross on the FrontlinesThe Philippines Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding to support evacuation efforts, rescuing people stranded by floods, distributing food, clean water, and essential relief items, and coordinating closely with local authorities. Its resources are sufficient at this stage, but with multiple weather systems in recent weeks, the team is stretched. Continued operations like these will need strong support in the coming days if conditions worsen.“We deployed to the most impacted areas. Our local preparedness and readiness have been adequate to ensure that our lifesaving assistance are not disrupted due to flooding, landslides and continuous torrential rainfall,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, the country’s largest humanitarian organisation covering all provinces and major cities.PRC teams from both local chapters and the National Headquarters remain on full standby to reinforce response efforts as needed. “At the Philippine Red Cross, we prioritise people’s lives and livelihoods above everything. Our volunteers are working around the clock to save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold the dignity of their fellow Filipinos,” Dr. Pang added, urging the public to remain vigilant, follow official warnings, and support each other, especially the most vulnerable members of their communities.More Storms May Be on the WayFrom June to the present, six low-pressure systems have developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), with some evolving into full storms — such as Wipha (local name: Crising), Francisco, and now Co-may. Experts expect the typhoon season and Southwest Monsoon (commonly known as Habagat in the Philippines) rains to continue through October, meaning more heavy rain and flooding could still come.“Thanks to the strong preparedness and planning of the Philippine Red Cross, urgent relief stocks are sufficient for now,” said Sanjeev Kafley, Head of Delegation for the IFRC in the Philippines. However, he noted that ongoing emergency operations in recent weeks are beginning to stretch available resources. Kafley emphasised that the IFRC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross and stands ready to provide additional support through the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) should any supply gaps arise.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Lili Chin, +6016 2340872 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

IFRC Annual Report 2024 Executive Summary

Pakistan floods: Escalating humanitarian crisis amid climate extremes

Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 3 September 2025 – Thousands of families across Pakistan are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis in the wake of devastating monsoon floods and other climate-induced disasters. Homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure have been swept away, leaving communities without access to food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. In response to the rapidly escalating needs, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is intensifying its emergency operations in the affected areas.To bolster these life-saving efforts, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a 17 million Swiss Francs emergency appeal to support the PRCS in expanding its relief operations. This builds on an initial allocation of CHF 1 million from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF).“This is an urgent humanitarian emergency. Each passing hour is crucial. We are calling on our partners and the international community to stand with the people of Pakistan,” said PRCS’s chairperson, Mrs. Farzhana Naek. “We are actively responding on the ground, but more support is urgently needed to save lives and prevent further suffering.”Red Crescent on the Frontlines of the ResponsePRCS has mobilized teams of staff and volunteers, delivering clean water, cooked meals, medical care, emergency shelter, and essential supplies to the hardest-hit areas. Emergency Control Rooms have been activated nationwide to coordinate the response and ensure aid reaches those in greatest need.“Our teams are working around the clock, side by side with affected communities,” said Mrs. Farzhana Naek. “Unfortunately, the affected people are disproportionally the poorest of the poor, therefore we are committed to supporting them through recovery,” she added.A Call to Rebuild and Prepare for a Climate-Challenged FuturePakistan remains one of the countries most affected and vulnerable to climate change. In the past few months alone, extreme weather, including cloudburst floods and record-breaking monsoon rainfall, has impacted millions. According to World Weather Attribution scientists, the recent monsoon rains were intensified by up to 15% due to human-induced climate change.“Pakistan contributes little to global emissions yet bears the brunt of the climate crisis. Our emergency appeal is not just about saving lives today, it’s about helping communities build resilience for the harsher climate realities of tomorrow.”, says Farid Abdulkadir, IFRC Head of Delegation in Pakistan.With more extreme weather events projected in the years ahead, the IFRC and PRCS are committed to supporting both immediate humanitarian relief and longer-term resilience building, helping communities withstand future climate shocks.Note to editors:Visuals: Photos available here: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~301ac4f9ae For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances: +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

IFRC: Acting before disasters strike is key to saving lives and protecting human development progress in South America

Santiago, Chile, September 4, 2025 — More than 100 representatives from governments, international organizations, civil society, and communities affected by emergencies and disasters participated in the 7th Platform for Dialogue on Anticipatory Action in South America, held in Santiago, Chile, under the slogan “Act sooner, protect better: strengthening anticipatory action in South America.”Anticipatory Action is an innovative approach that seeks to prepare and protect communities and their livelihoods before disasters strike. This is achieved by using science, technology, and the knowledge of specialists and the population itself to develop measures that, when implemented before crises, help to keep people and their vital resources and assets safe. These measures may include cash transfers, forecast-based decision-making, early warning systems, drills, training, and distribution of essential items.The event was a key space for sharing lessons learned and strengthening anticipatory action in the face of increasingly intense and frequent floods, droughts, landslides, and hydrometeorological phenomena in South America.It was organized by the Anticipation Hub and co-organized by the Chilean Red Cross, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Practical Action, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the American Red Cross, the German Red Cross, Start Network, and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC)."Acting earlier, protecting better is the essence of anticipatory action: transforming response into prevention and reducing the impact on people's lives. FAO has prioritized this approach as a strategic pillar for safeguarding agricultural livelihoods and food security, integrating it into its emergency and resilience programs around the world," said Maya Takagi, Regional Program Leader at the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, during the opening of the meeting.For her part, Loyce Pace, IFRC Director for the Americas, stressed that "in times of uncertainty and limited investment in humanitarian action, being prepared is not optional: it is vital. Although we do not know exactly when the next disaster will strike, we do know that it is possible to anticipate and reduce its impact by promoting local and global initiatives that combine science, technology, data, and public policy."Governments, civil society, the private sector, and humanitarian and cooperation agencies must join forces to make every dollar, every minute, and every life count."Although the exact figures vary, for every US dollar invested in risk reduction and prevention, up to US$15 can be saved in recovery costs after a disaster.In Latin America and the Caribbean, the IFRC and its network of Red Cross Societies promote anticipatory action by strengthening early warning systems, disseminating emergency alerts, combating misinformation, partnering with forecasting centers, and continuously conducting drills. They also develop evacuation and shelter plans for people and animals and integrate anticipatory initiatives into national policies and budgets.At its meeting in Santiago, Chile, the dialogue platform promoted innovative solutions, the strengthening of synergies, and the integration of anticipatory action into institutional and operational frameworks for South American countries.Since 2018, the dialogue platforms in Arequipa (Peru), Punta Cana (Dominican Republic), Panama City (Panama), Antigua Guatemala (Guatemala), San Pedro Sula (Honduras), and Cartagena de Indias (Colombia) have been instrumental in consolidating a regional community of practice that promotes cooperation between governments, subregional organizations, humanitarian actors, scientists, and community members. The Santiago meeting reinforces this process, renewing the region's commitment to anticipatory action in the face of disasters and crises.For more information, please contact: [email protected] Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes +507 6999-3199In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 7970-84367  Hannah Copeland +41 7623-69109 

IFRC launches emergency appeal to support Afghanistan earthquake recovery

Kabul/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 2 September 2025 -The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching an emergency appeal to support people affected by the powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late on 31 August.The earthquake hit parts of Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces, affecting over 1.3 million people and leaving hundreds of homes destroyed or damaged.In response, the IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for 25 million Swiss francs to meet critical humanitarian needs and to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in immediate response and recovery efforts until the end of December 2027.The IFRC and ARCS are launching an integrated response to support earthquake-affected families with emergency shelter, multi-purpose cash assistance, primary healthcare services, and clean water. Medium-term support will focus on transitional shelters and safe housing so families can rebuild their lives with dignity.“This earthquake could not have come at a worse time.The disaster not only brings immediate suffering but also deepens Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian crisis.The days ahead are critical to save lives and address immediate humanitarian needs,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.“Through this emergency appeal, we are scaling up support to reach as many people as possible. Now, and over the next two years, international support is and will be critical to meet the sheer scale of needs on the ground.”The IFRC is coordinating closely with ARCS, which is leading local response efforts with its trained volunteers and branches across the affected areas. Field assessments are ongoing, and mobile health teams are supporting overwhelmed hospitals with first aid and ambulance services. With IFRC support, ARCS has pre-positioned emergency stocks in Kabul, including thousands of blankets, tents, water containers and kitchen sets, ready to assist thousands of families.The IFRC calls on the international community to maintain strong support for the Afghan people, to meet growing humanitarian needs and support longer-term recovery efforts.For more information, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

PARLATINO and the Red Cross launch climate action and community resilience alliances ahead of COP30

Panama City, September 25, 2025. PARLATINO and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched the Parliamentary Alliance for Climate Action and the Alliance for the Amazon, their respective legislative and multisectoral coordination initiatives to promote adaptation to climate change, the reduction of hydrometeorological disaster risks, and the strengthening of community resilience in the Amazon.Both organizations are joining forces ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP30, to be held in November in Belém do Pará, Brazil.Congressman Rolando González Patricio, president of PARLATINO, explained that PARLATINO leads the Parliamentary Alliance for Climate Action and Just Transition (APACTJ), a regional platform with global reach made up of legislators from Latin America, the Caribbean, and around the world. This space coordinates, hand in hand with specialized organizations, efforts aimed at strengthening and accelerating parliamentary contributions to the creation and maintenance of a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, where humanity lives in harmony with nature.“The Parliamentary Alliance for Climate Action and Just Transition seeks to leverage each country's constitutional mandates to deploy more immediate and effective climate action for a just transition that leaves no one behind,” explained González Patricio.Within the framework of global climate agreements and with a ten-year vision, the IFRC and its National Red Cross Societies presented their Alliance for the Amazon. This initiative combines science, humanitarian expertise, and ancestral knowledge to protect Amazonian communities and their livelihoods from the effects of disasters, exacerbated by the climate crisis and the complex challenges facing that territory.“Our alliance has a purpose that is as ambitious as it is urgent: to strengthen the resilience, health, and income of the most vulnerable families,” explained Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas. “Forest fires, floods, and droughts—which are becoming increasingly prolonged, recurrent, and intense—are threatening the survival of the Amazon ecosystem and decades of progress in human development and community resilience. No community, no country, and no organization can face these threats alone, which is why coordinated work between the Red Cross, states, international organizations, and the private sector is key.”The IFRC and PARLATINO presented these initiatives at the event “Joining forces towards COP30,” held at PARLATINO headquarters in Panama City, which was also attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).At the meeting, Gustavo Da Veiga Guimarães, Counselor at the Brazilian Embassy in Panama, delivered a message about COP 30, highlighting that the choice of Belém do Pará, the gateway to the Amazon, reinforces Brazil's commitment to tropical forests and sustainable development in the region. "COP30 will be a milestone for dialogue, inclusion, and international solidarity, addressing five challenges: increasing climate finance for developing countries, strengthening emission reduction targets, transitioning to clean and renewable energy, conserving the Amazon rainforest and other key ecosystems, and last but not least, but no less importantly, the need to strengthen climate justice for vulnerable populations."For her part, the Deputy Regional Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Andrea Brusco, led the interactive dialogue: Protecting the Amazon as a global symbol. Brusco explained that protecting ecosystems and populations from the climate crisis is a complex, immense, and urgent issue, the scale of which should not discourage us but rather spur us to take prompt and effective action, always with the human dimension at its core.PARLATINO joins the Charter on Climate and the EnvironmentReaffirming its role as a catalyst for consensus and an active voice in building climate solutions from and for Latin America and the Caribbean, during the event PARLATINO also signed the Charter on Climate and the Environment for Humanitarian Organizations.This charter, promoted by the IFRC and other humanitarian actors, establishes commitments and a framework for action that guides its signatories and humanitarian organizations in general in promoting community resilience, adapting to new climate realities, and reducing environmental impact and carbon footprint.For more information:Mariana Carmona – PARLATINO Press Director: [email protected] Arroyo Barrantes – IFRC Communications Manager, Americas Office: [email protected] | +50769993199

World First Aid Day 2025: How first aid training prepares Lao PDR for a changing climate

Every year, millions of people face sudden emergencies — from road accidents to floods and heatwaves. As the climate crisis fuels more extreme weather, the ability to provide lifesaving First Aid has never been more critical.In Lao PDR, where floods, landslides, and droughts are becoming more frequent, community members are often the first responders. First Aid training enables people to treat injuries, prevent complications, and stabilize lives until medical help arrives.Since July 2025, for example, the Lao Red Cross (LRC) has been responding to widespread flooding triggered by Tropical Depression Wipha, which has affected more than 172,000 people across multiple provinces.With support from the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), LRC branches have provided relief and essential services including First Aid for injured community members.These recent emergency response interventions underscore how lifesaving First Aid skills are critical not only in daily life but also in the face of climate-driven disasters.One of the most vital skills is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Survival chances decrease by 10 per cent for every minute without CPR and defibrillation. These skills are especially crucial in remote areas, where access to health services is limited or delayed after disasters.Red Cross first-aid trainers such as Kaithong Sesavath, who is also Deputy Head of the LRC Basic Health Department, bring these life-saving lessons regularly to schools and community gatherings.“By bringing training into schools, LRC is empowering teachers and students with practical skills that save lives in both everyday accidents and climate-related emergencies,” says Kaithong. “CPR is especially important because it keeps blood and oxygen flowing when someone stops breathing or their heart stops.”Backed by international solidaritySupport for this work comes from the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). For the past six years, this support has allowed LRC to implement a comprehensive project aimed at “strengthening the capacity of Lao Red Cross staff on First Aid promotion for the public and communities”.Since 2019, 76 staff from LRC Headquarters and provincial branches have been trained to become first aid trainers, and more than 2,500 teachers and students across 16 provinces have been trained in first aid.The project is now at the end of Phase II, which focuses on six provinces (Oudomxay, Xiengkhouang, Bokeo, Champasak, Savannakhet, and Xaysomboun). During this phase, LRC also developed and launched training materials, including a first aid manual and guidelines tailored to the country’s specific needs, according to Dr. Soulany Chansy, Head of the LRC Emergency Health Division.Likewise, the trainings are adapted to meet the needs of local communities and integrated with local emergency response planning.“Earlier this year, during a monitoring visit in Bokeo province, I saw how staff adapted training to local contexts and strengthened coordination,” added Aya Mizutani, IFRC Health Delegate. “Their practical demonstrations reflected not only knowledge gained but also motivation to improve First Aid delivery.”The project also allows them to share knowledge and experience throughout the country. In July 2025, LRC hosted its First Aid Annual Meeting and Workshop in Vientiane. The two-day event gathered representatives from LRC headquarters and six provincial branches, IFRC, JRCS, and national ministries, to reflect on progress, share experiences, and plan for the next phase.First aid for a safer futureThe LRC experience shows that First Aid is more than an emergency response — it is a foundation for resilience. By equipping communities with lifesaving knowledge, First Aid is not only protecting lives today but also preparing Lao PDR to face the growing risks of climate change with strength and readiness.This commitment reflects IFRC’s Strategy 2030, which aims to make First Aid accessible to everyone, everywhere. By embedding it into daily life, communities are ready not only for today’s accidents but also for tomorrow’s climate-driven emergencies.By Kwanta Norkum, IFRC, Communications and Reporting Officer

Disasters, climate and crises

Every year, disasters and crises have devastating impacts on people, communities and entire societies around the world.The IFRC and our 191 National Societies respond to, and workto prevent or lessen the impacts of, all types of crises and disasters. We do so for all people, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable.Our priorities are to save lives, reduce suffering and uphold human dignity.