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Press release

IFRC sends first 64 tons of humanitarian aid to Jamaica after the passage of Hurricane Melissa

Panama City, November 1, 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has dispatched the first 64 tons of humanitarian aid to Jamaica to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.The first shipment, totaling 34 tons, departed on a charter flight from Tocumen International Airport in Panama City to Kingston on Saturday at 2 p.m. local time. The cargo, sent by the Red Cross, includes 1,500 shelter kits, 1,000 solar lamps, and 3,500 plastic tarpaulins.The shelter kits contain essential tools such as hammers, saws, nails, and wire, allowing families to repair or rebuild damaged structures and set up temporary shelters using local materials. Along with the tarpaulins, these items help people who have lost their homes regain safety, privacy, and dignity after the hurricane.The solar lamps, which can be used for both lighting and charging electronic devices, will enable affected families to move safely at night and maintain autonomy. They can also use the lamps to charge their phones and stay connected with their loved ones.“After focusing on preparedness and early action before Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, our teams in Jamaica are now conducting damage assessments, managing shelters, and distributing the relief items we had prepositioned in the country,” said Marianna Kuttothara, IFRC Health, Disaster and Crisis Head for the Americas. “This new shipment from Panama will help ensure that more people quickly receive the essential items they need to protect their health, clean and rehabilitate their homes, and restore their well-being.”In addition to the air shipment, another 30 tons of humanitarian supplies are already en route to Jamaica by sea, aboard a vessel that departed from Panama on Wednesday, October 29. This cargo includes tarpaulins, shelter toolkits, cleaning kits, kitchen sets, plastic jerrycans for water storage, buckets, blankets, and other essential household items.These first 64 tons are part of IFRC’s efforts to ensure a fast and effective humanitarian response. The organization has also launched an emergency appeal for 19 million Swiss francs (approximately 23 million U.S. dollars) to assist 180,000 people over the next two years.This rapid deployment of aid is possible thanks to IFRC’s prepositioning strategy. At the Panamanian government’s Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in Panama City, the IFRC operates a humanitarian hub stocked with essential relief items ready for immediate distribution. From this location, the organization can provide assistance to up to 60,000 people within the first days following a hurricane’s impact.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Panama:Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199   María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090  In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

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Press release

IFRC Governing Board Oversight Group update

The international armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine has triggered one of the largest humanitarian crises in Europe in decades, displacing millions and disrupting essential services. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched one of the largest humanitarian responses in our history.National Societies in Ukraine, Russia, in neighbouring countries, and far beyond have mobilized thousands of staff and volunteers to provide shelter, cash assistance, psychosocial support, first aid, and essential services.Trust and transparency are critical to our ability to serve communities. Following concerns raised about Russian Red Cross, an independent Governing Board Oversight Group (GBOG)was established in April 2024.The GBOG carefully reviewed the situation and issued a set of recommendations.Over the past year, the IFRC has been working closely with Russian Red Cross to follow up on the findings and recommendations. The IFRC is confident that recommendations have been seriously addressed.We can confirm that Russian Red Cross has shown strong ownership of the recommendations, with progress monitored and verified by the IFRC. Russian Red Cross has integrated these recommendations into its own systems, strengthening internal checks, accountability, compliance mechanisms, and policies.This includes:Strengthening frameworks for child safeguarding, including their child protection policy based on IFRC standards and reinforcing their code of conduct. Extensive training was done to staff and volunteers including across its regional branches. Renewing its Ethics Committee, introducing new working modalities developed in cooperation with IFRC experts. This provides a stronger, independent mechanism to review sensitive issues, address complaints, and guide the organization. Establishing and applying a new partnership policy, which assesses and verifies all partnerships and associations across the country. Some partnerships have been concluded while others have been reinforced with clearer roles and responsibilities around strict humanitarian engagement.A Russian Red Cross billhas been approved in afirst reading at the State Duma and final ratification is expected by the end of the year. Such Red Cross laws are essential to define its role as an auxiliary to public authorities, preserve public trust and ensure Red Cross teams can reach those most in need. These laws help ensure cooperation with the state while safeguarding the National Society’s ability to act independently, neutrally, and impartially. The IFRC has long supported efforts to establish such a law in Russia, as we do for our members globally.With a permanent presence in Russia, the IFRC continues to support Russian Red Cross in their life-saving efforts. Russian Red Cross provides humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people across the country, including displaced families, refugees, and communities in need. With thousands of volunteers nationwide, it delivers services such as first aid, blood donation, mental health and psychosocial support, home care, and emergency relief.

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Article

'Life feels more stable': In Zimbabwe, Red Cross helps farming communities cope with prolonged drought

Rising temperatures and increasingly erratic rainfall have reshaped Zimbabwe’s climate, with droughts now striking every two to three years instead of once a decade. The result: 2.7 million rural Zimbabweans face recurrent food insecurity.As the global climate crisis accelerates, hitting the South earliest and hardest, humanitarian responses are evolving from short-term relief to long-term resilience.“We are now moving from responding to disasters to addressing them proactively and also building the capacities of our communities to be resilient,” says Thulani Sibanda, Provincial Manager withthe Zimbabwe Red Cross Society.That shift underpins the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society’s contribution to the Africa Zero Hunger campaign.Recently launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Africa Zero Hunger reframes food security interventions away from episodic relief and toward long-term, community-driven projects.“Our animals are stronger and fetch better prices . . . With the extra income, we can pay school fees and buy inputs for the next season. Life feels more stable now.”Kelias Munkuli, a farmer in Siameja Village, ZimbabweStrengthening livelihoodsZimbabwe’s approach to food insecurity involves several concrete interventions that combine local knowledge, anticipatory action, and practical support.The Climate Smart Resilience Project, rolled out by the Zimbabwe Red Cross in Binga District in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North, is one such example.Using El Niño forecasts and satellite data, the Climate Smart Resilience Project team is able to direct specific resources to the right communities before droughts strike.In 2023, when drought conditions worsened, the project focused on livelihood protections like drought-tolerant seed distribution, livestock deworming, and community education.Over 4,000 households received training in climate-smart agriculture along with seed packs, and 2,800 cattle were vaccinated and dewormed.“The quality of cattle and the reduction in deaths in those areas are evident compared to others. We also trained local para-vets to support animal health,” says Thulani.“Communities practicing conservation farming with pearl millet had better yields than other regions. These success stories encourage replication elsewhere.”The farmers who benefited from these interventions have found renewed independence:“Our animals are stronger and fetch better prices,” explains Kelias Munkuli from Siameja Village. “With the extra income, we can pay school fees and buy inputs for the next season. Life feels more stable now.”“With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children. It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”52-year-old Monica Mpande, from Mupambe village, ZimbabweAdapting to changing needsWhen drought conditions worsened again in 2024, focus group discussions held by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society revealed deep community concerns about children’s well-being, particularly the growing risks of hunger and malnutrition.The school feeding program was launched to make sure that children facing hunger received nutritious, fortified meals that helped them stay healthy and keep attending school. This became a vital lifeline to protect the most vulnerable while longer-term solutions took root.The intervention provided daily Corn Soya Blend (CSB) meals to over 5,378 children. Beyond schools, 3,400 vulnerable families also received life-saving food aid.For 52-year-old Monica Mpande, who lives in Mupambe village, food aid is more than just a meal. It provides parents with the means to prioritise their children’s education.“With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children,” she says. “It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”Looking aheadAs the Africa Zero Hunger campaign grows, collaboration remains central: building durable livelihoods, strengthening community ownership, and ensuring that adaptation strategies are designed with those who know the land best.“Communities are stakeholders, not passive recipients of aid. They’re at the center of our planning, programming, and implementation,” says Thulani.“We are now in a position to apply for early action funds to start community preparedness in the likely events we’re predicting, for instance, drought next year. We can start now by teaching adaptive agricultural practices, like conservation farming.”Join us in ending food insecurity in Africa. Explore the Africa Zero Hunger Campaign, share our stories, and be part of building resilient, self-reliant communities.

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Article

Farmers in Kenya fight food insecurity by making their own, low-cost animal feeds

Kenya’s food crisis has deepened, with an estimated 2.8 million people facing severe acute food insecurity in 2025, according to the Global Report on Food Crises 2025. For many farmers in Kenya, the struggle isn’t just about growing food; it’s about keeping their livestock alive when feed prices soar beyond reach.That’s what inspired a group of farmers in Taita Taveta County to start producing their own animal feed: a simple yet powerful idea supported by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) through its Integrated Food Security and Livelihood (IFSL) Project.“Most Kenyans are practicing subsistence farming,” explains Lucy Sembei, programme manager at the Kenya Red Cross Society.“They may never get to place where farming allows them to meet their economic needs. So at Kenya Red Cross, we took a moment to think strategically about how to better support communities in slow-onset emergencies as well.”Innovation at the grassrootsInitially, the Kenya Red Cross provided poultry feed as part of its emergency relief support. But as drought worsened and feed prices climbed — a 90-kilogram bag of maize reached nearly USD 50 in early 2025 — communities found themselves dependent on aid once again.“As long as they depended on the Red Cross to buy feed, their food security would last only as long as the project. Beyond that, they wouldn’t be able to continue poultry farming,” says Sembei.So, rather than stepping in with another short-term fix, Sembei and her team decided to work with farmers and technical experts to design a lasting solution.Together with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and input from the community, the Kenya Red Cross introduced farmers to two game-changing feed ingredients: black soldier fly larvae and azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern. Both are high in protein, easy to cultivate locally, and require minimal inputs.“[The black soldier fly] is a type of insect that’s extremely rich in protein,” says Sembei. “The eggs produced by hens fed on black soldier flies are far more nutritious than those raised on commercial feed, and the feed itself is cheap and easy for farmers to produce.”Training sessions helped farmers learn how to set up small-scale production systems, using simple materials to cultivate both the larvae and azolla at home. Soon, farmers were experimenting with different feed combinations and sharing their success with neighboring communities.“We went for training and received a donation of 30 chickens. Now I have sixty chickens. I sell eggs, I sell chicks. I can now pay my bills and school fees for my grandchildren.”Jane Mbula, one of the participants in the Kenya Red Cross programmeA meaningful impactThe project has had a meaningful impact on both food security and local livelihoods since its launch in 2021. Now, the 135 farmers supported by the project produce an average of six trays of eggs per month, using them for household consumption and selling the surplus at KSh 450 per tray.Through project-backed innovations, such as egg incubation for chick production and Azolla farming for protein-rich, low-cost feed, farmers have boosted egg yield and quality while cutting commercial feed use from four bags per week to just one in areas like Bura Ndogo and Malukiloriti.One beneficiary, Jane Mbula, explains: “We went for training and received a donation of 30 chickens. Now I have sixty chickens. I sell eggs, I sell chicks. I can now pay my bills and school fees for my grandchildren.”Beyond poultry farming, the project has achieved broad, far-reaching results across Taita Taveta County.So far, 3,405 people have participated; including 600 crop farmers, 2,000 sunflower growers, 80 beekeepers, 300 goat keepers, 40 rabbit farmers, and 150 mothers and 250 youth engaged in nutrition and savings schemes.As Sembei explains: “As we work in this space, our focus is on making food production more affordable for communities. Now that we’re encouraging durable, sustainable solutions, we’re also asking: how can communities produce without having to invest more than they can afford?That’s something we’re doing very deliberately — not on our own, but in close consultation with communities, research institutions, and learning centers across the country. The goal is to identify what’s already within reach, so that communities can continue their work independently, even beyond project funding.”The road to Zero HungerThe Integrated Food Security Project is one of several programs receiving support from the Africa Zero Hunger campaign, recently launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).The campaign shines a light on sustainable, community-driven solutions, highlighting the importance of investing in programs that strengthen local resilience and address the root causes of food insecurity across Africa.

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Press release

20 tons of IFRC humanitarian aid arrive in Santiago de Cuba following Hurricane Melissa 

Geneva/La Habana/Panama City, 2 November 2025 – A charter flight from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) landed in Santiago de Cuba on Sunday, 2 November, carrying the first 20 tons of humanitarian aid for people affected by Hurricane Melissa.The shipment, capable of providing urgent humanitarian assistance to 1,500 people, arrived at 3:00 p.m. local time from Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The cargo includes kitchen, hygiene, and bedding kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, shelter tools kits, and plastic sheeting, which the Cuban Red Cross will distribute in the hardest hit areas.The hygiene kits contain essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, shampoo, menstrual hygiene products, towels, and toilet paper, all designed to help families maintain their health and personal care after the storm. Together with the mosquito nets, these supplies are crucial to prevent disease in areas where access to water and sanitation services has been disrupted.The bedding kits include items such as sheets and pillows, helping families who lost their homes rest more comfortably in temporary shelters. Complementing these efforts, the shelter tools will support the cleaning and reconstruction tasks, and the kitchen kits will provide cooking and serving utensils for five people. Together, these kits support daily life, health, and recovery.“While the Cuban Red Cross continues to support rescue efforts, damage assessments, and psychosocial assistance, the IFRC has activated all its international support mechanisms to mobilize aid in record time,” said Marianna Kuttothara, IFRC Head of Health, Disasters and Crises for the Americas. “Just three days after Hurricane Melissa, humanitarian supplies were ready for dispatch and will now be distributed with humanity and commitment to those most in need.”This rapid delivery of aid was made possible thanks to the IFRC’s prepositioned humanitarian stock at its Humanitarian Hub in Panama, where the organization stores enough relief items to assist 20,000 people within 48 to 72 hours after a disaster.These first 20 tons of relief are part of the IFRC’s broader effort to ensure a fast, high-quality humanitarian response. They complement the recently launched Emergency Appeal for 15 million Swiss francs (approximately USD 18 million), aimed at supporting 100,000 people in Cuba over the next two years.This humanitarian operation combines immediate response efforts—such as the distribution of essential items and search and rescue operations—with early recovery and long-term resilience, helping families rebuild their homes, restore access to safe water, and recover their health and livelihoods.Pictures of the cargo available here: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~df43f74ef9For more information, please contact: [email protected] In Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199   María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

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Article

Statement: Attack on Ocean Viking deeply concerning, endangering humanitarian workers and survivors in the Mediterranean

Budapest/Geneva, 12 September 2025 –The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) strongly deplores the attack on the search and rescue ship Ocean Vikingon 24 August. At the time of the attack in the Central Mediterranean, 87 rescued people were on board, with five IFRC and nineteen SOS MEDITERRANEE staff.Although everyone disembarked safely, the attack left people severely distressed and caused significant damage to the ship’s bridge and critical rescue equipment. As a consequence, the ship will not be operational in the near future.“This underscores not only the growing risks for those undertaking life-saving rescues in the Mediterranean, but also the dangerous reality facing humanitarian workers worldwide,”said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, IFRC Regional Director for Europe.“Threatening rescued people and those saving lives is unacceptable. Wecall on all concerned authorities to ensure accountability and do everything in their power to prevent such an incident from happening again.”Every year, thousands of people attempt to cross the Central Mediterranean, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Search and rescue operations remain a humanitarian necessity, ensuring that people in distress at sea are brought to safety. For these operations to be possible, humanitarian workers and civilians must never be targeted.The IFRC remains firmly committed to supporting people on the move through its humanitarian service points across the Mediterranean and beyond, ensuring that people forced to take dangerous journeys can access safety, care, and dignity wherever they are.Since 2021, the IFRC–SOS MEDITERRANEE partnership on board the Ocean Viking has had 156 rescue missions, with more than 8,600 people supported with immediate assistance including food, water, medical care, and psychosocial support. This lifesaving work is part of a wider, long-term commitment to protect and assist people on the move across one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.For more information, [email protected] Budapest:Corrie Butler +36 704306506Nora Peter+36 70 265 4020In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 43 67

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Press release

Jamaica: IFRC launches emergency appeal in response to Hurricane Melissa. Aid distribution is well under way

Geneva/Panama City/Kingston, 30 October 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 19 million Swiss francs (USD 23 million) to assist 180,000 people affected by Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica over the next 24 months.The storm made landfall in southwestern Jamaica, near New Hope, on 28 October as a Category 5 hurricane — the third strongest ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean. Across Jamaica, more than 77 percent of the population is without electricity, and around 6,000 people remain in emergency shelters, many of whom have lost their homes or livelihoods.“Hurricane Melissa has left immense devastation in its wake – the situation is beyond catastrophic. People lost their lives, homes have been destroyed, and critical infrastructure has been damaged. We don’t yet know the full extent of the damage, but our teams on the ground are already seeing a massive need for shelter, food, water and health services including blood donation and psychological first aid,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.Over the next two years, money raised through the IFRC Emergency Appeal will enable humanitarian assistance across ten of the most affected parishes, combining immediate relief with long-term recovery and resilience-building. Shelter repair and reconstruction, livelihood recovery, and cash or in-kind support will also help families restore stability and safety.“Our teams have been working for more than a week to prepare for Melissa’s arrival — setting up shelters, pre-positioning relief items near high-risk areas, and helping communities get ready for the storm,” said Yvonne Clarke, Jamaica Red Cross Director General. “Now it is time to respond and ensure that those most affected have what they need to start rebuilding their lives, while also making sure communities are better prepared for future storms.”Health and water interventions will ensure access to safe drinking water, hygiene supplies, and medical care for thousands of people. At the same time, mental health and psychosocial support will accompany families and responders coping with loss and trauma. Rehabilitation of damaged health facilities and clean-up campaigns will help restore essential services and strengthen local capacities to withstand future shocks.As this appeal is launched, humanitarian aid is already on the move. The Jamaica Red Cross has mobilized 400 volunteers and released pre-positioned stocks of blankets, cleaning and hygiene kits, shelter toolkits, and tarpaulins to support the most affected families.Additional IFRC relief supplies for 2,300 people, including cleaning kits for over 800 households, are ready for deployment, and a 28-ton charter flight from the IFRC humanitarian hub in Panama is ready to depart carrying kitchen sets, blankets, jerrycans, and hygiene supplies for 1,800 families.Melissa struck just 16 months after Hurricane Beryl, leaving communities with little time to recover from previous losses. The IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) had already allocated 80,000 Swiss francs before Melissa’s landfall to enable early action, including the pre-positioning of supplies and the preparation of shelters. This anticipatory approach helped reduce the storm’s humanitarian toll, proving once again that acting early saves lives.“The strength of this response lies in Jamaica itself — in the deep bond between the Red Cross and the communities it serves,” said Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas. “Our appeal is meant to complement local efforts, acknowledging that rebuilding resilience takes a village, especially in times of climate crisis."We’ll be here for the long road ahead — supporting life-saving assistance while laying the groundwork for long-term recovery, acting local, and making sure the world doesn’t forget what affected communities need.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199   María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090  In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

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Article

Ahead of Hurricane Melissa's imminent arrival in the Caribbean, local Red Cross teams are mobilising

Torrential rain and intense winds from Hurricane Melissa threaten hundreds of thousands of people in the central Caribbean. The National Red Cross Societies in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are fully operational, providing support to the communities most at risk in the form of preparedness and early response measures.In Cuba, the Cuban Red Cross is helping with preventive evacuations, offering psychosocial support, and helping families to get back in touch with each other.Psychological support in the face of a hurricane threat is essential for effective disaster management. It helps the population move from paralyzing fear to active preparedness and a resilient mindset, saving lives and promoting better long-term psychological recovery by providing a sense of calm, control, and human connection.'All hands on deck'In Haiti, the Haitian Red Cross has activated the Jérémie Emergency Operations Centre and is coordinating preparedness measures with local authorities. Volunteers are disseminating preventive messages to inform families how to protect themselves in the event of an impact.In Jamaica, where more than 165,000 people are at risk, the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has allocated 80,000 Swiss francs for anticipatory action, including pre-positioning vital supplies, preparing shelters, and strengthening community response capacity.“Right now, we are in full operations mode," says Horace Glance, deputy operations manager for the Jamaican Red Cross. "All 13 branches and all staff have been activated since last Wednesday. It’s all-hands-on-deck, all systems go.”“If the forecast holds true, and we do have a category 4 hurricane bearing down on us, it’s going to be a huge event for Jamaica,” Glance said in an interview with ABC News (see the full video below) on Sunday 26. “We’ve never had such a major hurricane coming across the island, making landfall and its eye passing over us.“So the usual things such as landslides, as well as coastal, riveraine and urban flooding, would be expected but it’s going to be a lot more with an event this size in terms of the volume of water ... as well as more severe winds than we’ve ever experienced.”In the Dominican Republic, volunteers from the San Pedro branch have carried out rescues and preventive evacuations in flood-affected communities, as well as helping to transfer patients from the local hospital to safer medical centres. Preparation and early action are crucial in a region that is highly vulnerable to the effects of storms and hurricanes. The rapid intensification of these phenomena, exacerbated by climate change, reduces reaction time and increases the risk of human and material losses. While climate change and climate-related disasters and hazards can affect anyone, their effects are not felt equally by all. In North America, Central America and the Caribbean, it is the most vulnerable groups — women, children, displaced people, indigenous communities and those affected by violence, poverty and discrimination — who are at the greatest risk from hurricanes and storms. This is why the IFRC and its network of National Societies work to take action before disasters strike, combining weather forecasts with risk analysis, strengthening early warning systems and positioning humanitarian aid in strategic locations. In response to the 2025 hurricane season and beyond, the Red Cross network is continuing to strengthen community resilience in over 28 countries by integrating science, local knowledge, and solidarity to protect communities from the growing risks posed by climate change.

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Article

Statement by the Governing Board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on the 60th Anniversary of the Fundamental Principles

Sixty years ago, as a response to profound human suffering, the Fundamental Principlesof the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement were adopted. They wereborn from the conviction that humanitarian action must transcend politics, borders, anddivisions - anchored in humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntaryservice, unity, and universality.For our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, these principles are not abstractideals. They are the foundation of their daily work in communities across the world,enabling them to respond to disasters, conflicts, health crises, and the challenges ofmigration and displacement with compassion and fairness, regardless of who isaffected.Today, in a world facing unprecedented crises, these principles remain our strongestcompass. They allow National Societies to act swiftly when earthquakes strike, whenfloods devastate, when droughts destroy livelihoods, and when pandemics disrupt lives.These principles ensure that our volunteers and staff can help people withoutdiscrimination, and that every individual is seen as a human being with dignity, rights,and aspirations.Yet principles alone are not enough. Living by them requires courage, humility, andresolve. National Societies need an enabling environment in which they can carry outtheir auxiliary role to public authorities in the humanitarian field - fully recognized,respected, and supported.Therefore, we, the members of the Governing Board of the International Federation ofRed Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in line with the resolutions of the 2024 Council ofDelegates and 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, callupon all governments and partners to:• Ensure the legal recognition of National Societies and their ability to act accordingto the Fundamental Principles.• Respect their independence, impartiality, and neutrality at all times.• Facilitate their humanitarian mission and guarantee safe and unhindered accessto those in need.On this 60th anniversary, we honour not only the vision that gave birth to these principles,but the daily courage of millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff wholive them out.The Fundamental Principles are not relics of the past; they are living commitments. It isour shared responsibility to ensure that they remain the guiding light for us for thedecades to come.

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Press release

Kenya: IFRC launches CHF 15 million emergency appeal as climate extremes push millions to the brink

Nairobi, Geneva, 4 November 2025 — Kenya is in the grip of a worsening climate and humanitarian crisis. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 15 million emergency appeal to help the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) deliver life-saving support to 300,000 people affected by worsening hunger, water shortages, rising malnutrition and disease outbreaks across drought and flood-hit counties.Naemi Heita, IFRC Head of Delegation, Nairobi Country Cluster for Kenya and Somalia, said:“This is a complex emergency that goes beyond drought. Families are grappling with hunger, water scarcity, health risks, and displacement. Kenya Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines every day, delivering life-saving assistance in some of the hardest-hit areas. Through this appeal, we aim to mobilize resources that not only address immediate needs but also strengthen communities against future climate shocks.”Escalating Humanitarian NeedsAcross Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), home to 16 million people, families are walking for hours each day to find water as rivers and pans dry up. Crops have failed, livestock are dying, and malnutrition rates are soaring among children and pregnant women. In some counties, intense rainfall is now bringing flash floods that destroy what little remains including landslides, while disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria and Rift Valley Fever continue to spread.Forecasts point to below-average rains in 23 drought-affected counties and above-average rainfall in parts of Turkana and the Lake Basin, threatening further displacement and contamination of scarce water sources. Protection concerns, including gender-based violence and early marriage, are also increasing as families resort to desperate coping strategies. With limited humanitarian funding, health facilities in remote areas struggle to provide basic care, immunisation, and maternal health services.IFRC and Kenya Red Cross ResponseKenya Red Cross has over 262,000 volunteers and 700 staff across all 47 branches. KRCS has been delivering food, cash assistance, clean water, and emergency healthcare to those most in need. The IFRC appeal will boost these efforts, enabling the organisation to expand water trucking, repair and solarise boreholes, treat acute malnutrition, and deploy mobile health and nutrition teams to hard-to-reach areas. It will also support climate-smart agriculture, livestock protection, and livelihood recovery to help families rebuild.On 31 October 2025, heavy rains triggered deadly landslides in Moror and Chesongoch villages in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County, killing 26 people, injuring 26, and leaving 25 missing, according to official figures. The landslides displaced 151 households and destroyed homes and vital infrastructure. Despite access challenges, the Kenya Red Cross Society, working with county authorities and other members of the multi-agency response team, evacuated the injured and delivered emergency relief to affected families. Authorities have since warned of further landslides as rainfall continues, compounding an already critical humanitarian situation across the country.KRCS is equally prioritising protection and inclusion, ensuring that women, children, and marginalised groups have safe, equitable access to assistance and that feedback from communities shapes ongoing response efforts.Dr Ahmed Idris, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, said:“Communities in Kenya’s ASALs are facing overlapping crises: prolonged drought, acute food insecurity, rising malnutrition, and protection risks, while disease outbreaks such as cholera and Rift Valley Fever compound the situation. In some areas, flooding adds further strain. Kenya Red Cross volunteers continue to reach the most vulnerable and hard-to-access areas, ensuring critical assistance gets where it is needed most. This appeal will enable us to scale up life-saving support and strengthen resilience against these multiple shocks.”A Call for Collective ActionThe IFRC and Kenya Red Cross are urging governments, donors, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector to step up support immediately. Every delay deepens the crisis and puts more families in danger. The appeal seeks to ensure that no Kenyan goes hungry, thirsty, or without healthcare as climate extremes intensify.Note to editors: Audiovisual materials of the emergency response are available for download.For more information, please contact: [email protected] NairobiTimothy Maina, +254 110 848 161Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In GenevaTommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67  Scott Craig: +41 76 370 35 75   

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Press release

Ahead of COP30, IFRC warns against slowing climate action amid multiple global crises

Geneva, 6November 2025 – As the world prepares to meet at COP30, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns that amid multiple overlapping global crises, the world cannot afford to lose focus on the climate emergency, as climate-related humanitarian needs escalate.Across the world, the IFRC network is responding to more frequent and severe floods, droughts, storms, heatwaves and wildfires, as climate-related humanitarian needs rise, threatening health, food security, water supplies, lives and livelihoods. Without urgent action to reduce emissions and strengthen local resilience, these needs will only continue to rise.Investment in early action and preparedness for climate-related disasters is key to saving lives – as demonstrated recently with Hurricane Melissa where preparedness and early action gave teams on the ground valuable time to build shelters, evacuate people out of harm’s way, preposition aid and help to prepare communities to weather this unprecedented category 5 hurricane. “Hurricane Melissa is the latest reminder that the humanitarian consequences of climate change are becoming ever clearer. It also shows how being prepared before climate-related disasters strike can save many lives. At COP30, we need action and investment that strengthen community resilience to climate extremes, because if we fail to do so, these humanitarian needs being driven by climate change will only continue to rise,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.At COP30, IFRC will call for urgent climate action, focused on three priorities:Health and well-being: Protecting people from the health impacts of climate change by building climate-resilient cities and health systems. Extreme heat, water scarcity and climate-related diseases are already affecting millions, and climate-related health risks are expected to rise sharply if action is delayed. Investment in people and communities: Scaling up locally led climate action and ensuring climate finance reaches the communities who need it most. Less than 10 per cent of global climate finance is estimated to reach the local level, leaving many of the most affected communities without the resources they need to adapt. A more ambitious adaptation finance target would ensure resources reach communities who need them most, especially those in fragile and crisis-affected settings. Timing: Getting ahead of disasters. Investing in preparedness, early warning and anticipatory action to save lives and livelihoods before climate-related disasters strike. IFRC continues to lead global efforts to ensure everyone has access to early warnings and can take action to reduce loss and damage.People are already facing the limits of adaptation and experiencing loss and damage from climate impacts. Some areas are becoming too hot to sustain livelihoods, while rising sea levels are destroying farmland and freshwater supplies. The IFRC is calling for predictable and accessible support for communities most affected, particularly those that have contributed least to the climate crisis and have the fewest resources to recover.At COP30, the IFRC will work with a wide range of partners, governments and donors to ensure that the voices of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, and the needs of the communities most at risk, are front and centre in the global climate agenda and to deliver on commitments to protect those most at risk.More information on IFRC’s climate programming - including data, reports and stories - is available here.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Panama:Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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Article

Bangladesh: After the storm, hope is growing thanks to support for livelihoods and shelter

A private tutor by profession, Shanjeet has always depended on his students to make ends meet and he’s always struggled to meet basic living costs with his limited earnings.And that was before the cyclone tore up nearly everything he owned and depended on to make a living. Like many, Shanjeet lost everything when Cyclone Remal hit his village in May 2024. His house, trees, books, tubewell, and latrine were all washed away.“It was a horrible, sleepless night,”he recalls. “I was at the cyclone shelter. When I returned the next morning, I found knee-deep water all around. My house was destroyed. My favourite books were floating in the muddy water. The old mango tree in my yard, where I used to teach my students, had fallen right on top of my house.”But now around him, new hope is growing. As Shanjeet was speaking these words, a Red Crescent Youth volunteer was planting a new mango tree in the same spot where the old one once stood.It’s a powerful symbol of renewal and hope that comes thanks to the IFRC Remal Recovery Initiative being implemented by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. With support from that initiative, Shanjeet was able to build an entirely new shelter and latrine, as well as improve his livelihood.Since he depends on teaching for a living, Shanjeet used his livelihood support to buy stationery items like exercise books, pens, and other supplies.“I had no income for months after the cyclone. Now my students are back, and I have a small shop supported by Red Crescent where I earn extra by selling stationery to them,” said Shanjeet.“I’m slowly stepping into a new life I never imagined. I enjoy spending time with my students, who are mostly children. At the same time, I am trying to stay strong, because who knows when the next cyclone or disaster might come. But this time, I want to be more prepared.”Rebuilding homes and dignity: The story of Khalil and TaslimaIn Saudkhali village of Indurkani sub-district, a similar story is unfolding. 60-year-old Khalil and his wife Taslima are among the many people who are also participating in the recovery project.Their village is located beside the Bageshwari River, which flows into to the Bay of Bengal. The community was severely impacted by Cyclone Remal, which destroyed hundreds of shelters, sanitation facilities, and sources of livelihood.Khalil is physically challenged, and the family depends on the income of his wife, who works as a domestic worker in different houses in the village. Her earnings are far below the living wage, and they always struggled to meet their basic needs. They had a very small house, which was destroyed and washed away during the cyclone.When Khalil spoke about his current situation in front of his new house, supported under the IFRC initiative, the happiness and smile on his face were priceless.“I am very happy!” he says with a smile. “I got cattle, chickens, ducks, a new house, and a latrine. I don’t know how to describe the peace we feel now.”“We haven’t started earning yet because the chickens are yet to produce eggs, but for the first time in my life, I will be able to earn some income.”Stories of recovery across the cyclone-impacted areasWith support from the IFRC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Cyclone recovery operation, stories like this one are being repeated throughout the areas impacted by the cyclone. Individual people and families have received cash support that allows them to address their specific needs within various categories.Under this initiative, for example, families have received 85,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) for shelter (the equivalent of $US 695), BDT 25,000 ($US 205) for building or repairing latrines, and BDT 35,000 ($US 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.In Pirojpur and Khulna, two heavily impacted areas, a total of 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.Story by Shameul Islam Shovon, with editing by Raqibul AlamRead more stories about IFRC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Cyclone Remal recovery:Bangladesh: One year after the cyclone, a new home and a new juice cart brings family new hope

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Document

Statement: “From Commitment to Action: Humanitarian Innovation in EU-LAC Cooperation”

On November 6, 2025, prior to the IV CELAC-European Union Summit in Santa Marta, Colombia, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in collaboration with the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Directorate-General (ECHO), convened the event “From Commitment to Action: Humanitarian Innovation in EU-LAC Cooperation” in Bogotá, Colombia. The event brought together high-level representatives from CELAC and European Union member states, leaders of the Movement, and regional governmental and non-governmental actors to address the changing humanitarian landscape in Latin America and the Caribbean and reaffirm joint commitments to principled and locally led humanitarian action.

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Press release

IFRC plans to double size of Disaster Response Emergency Fund by 2030

Geneva, 7 November 2025 –The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) thanks governments and partners for their commitments made at the 2025 IFRC-DREF Pledging Conference, held in Geneva on November 7, 2025.Donors announced commitments of nearly CHF 110 million, a record level of investment into the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), an innovative mechanism that enables rapid, locally led humanitarian response.The IFRC-DREF has expanded rapidly over the past five years, growing from 23.5 million Swiss francs in funding in 2020 to a record 91.5 million in 2024. In that time, it has allocated a total of 295 million Swiss francs to National Societies, targeting around 80 million people worldwide. Over 75% of IFRC-DREF funding is channelled to Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies on the front lines of humanitarian emergencies.But in the face of unprecedented humanitarian needs, greater support is needed to enable faster, flexible humanitarian responses. IFRC plans to double the size of the IFRC-DREF from its current 100 million CHF to 200 million CHF by 2030 – to enable greater investment in principled, local humanitarian actors and double the number of people reached to up to 50 million per year.“This investment in humanity and in local action will save lives,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General. “We thank our partners for their support, but we need to scale this up further in the face of unprecedented humanitarian needs. IFRC-DREF is an extremely valuable tool as we have just seen with Hurricane Melissa – where a small investment had a big impact and saved lives. In a time of financial strain across the humanitarian sector, these commitments send a strong message to communities – you have not been forgotten.”The IFRC-DREF enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond immediately to disasters or act in advance of predicted hazards. Funds are typically approved within 24 hours and disbursed within 72 hours.Since it was first used in 1979, the IFRC-DREF has assisted millions of people affected by floods, cyclones, epidemics and other humanitarian emergencies.The Fund also plays a leading role in anticipatory action, releasing funds before disasters strike to help communities prepare and reduce losses. The IFRC-DREF’s insurance mechanism, a first in the humanitarian sector, is an innovative finance mechanism that leverages the power of the private sector to make stretched government donor contributions go further. Private-sector contributions have also grown tenfold since 2019, including through insurance partners.The IFRC extends its gratitude to all partners – especially first-time donors to the IFRC-DREF and those who have increased their pledges - for their trust and support. A full breakdown of pledges will be published in due course.About the Disaster Response Emergency FundThe IFRC-DREF is the IFRC’s rapid, flexible funding mechanism that enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond immediately to disasters and act early to prevent impacts. Entirely donor-funded, it disburses grants within days, putting resources directly into the hands of local responders. It has supported thousands of operations across more than 100 countries. Read the 2024 Annual Report.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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Programmatic Partnership to engage even more communities in coming year

A global partnership aimed at strengthening resilience and providing agency to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities will continue into its second year following a decision by Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and the IFRC in early summer 2023.Through the Programmatic Partnership, European Union (EU) money will fund a range of innovative projects into 2024 that focus particularly on local action to prepare for and respond to humanitarian and health crises.With climate change, pandemics and population movements all on the rise, these types of partnerships are crucial for enhancing locally-led anticipatory action and, where necessary, disaster response.“The ride to localization involves having local communities in the driver’s seat from the moment of identifying needs aligned with priorities and strategies, to decision making and implementation,” said Marwan Jilani, director general of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society's (PRCS).The partnership has reached over eight million people so far, helping communities reduce risks and react quickly to sudden-onset crises. With a EUR 70 million boost in year two, the partnership sits at over EUR 134 million and will be able to reach far more people than in the first year. All IFRC work is carried out with close cooperation with national Red Cross and Red Cresent societies, local communities and networks of volunteers.“Humanitarian needs are growing and if we want to prepare communities to be more resilient, we need to join forces with our national societies and public institutions,” Nena Stoiljkovic, the IFRC’s Under-Secretary General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization.“Only then we can be more effective and efficient. This programme is the best example we have on long-term and multi-country financing and is an inspiration for similar partnerships to come.”The Partnership focuses of five key areas:Disaster preparedness and response: Preparing communities, National Societies and disaster risk management institutions to anticipate effectively, respond and recover from the impact of evolving and multiple shocks and hazards. Epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response: supporting communities to prevent, detect and respond to disease outbreaks. Supporting people on the move: providing displaced people with their basic humanitarian needs. Cash assistance: often the best way to help people is to give them a cash grant to invest locally, as they choose. Cash assistance gives those in need dignity and agency. Risk communication, community engagement and accountability: the people we support through the Programmatic Partnership are partners in our work. We listen to them carefully and act upon their opinions and needs.A total of 12 EU Red Cross National Societies are involved in implementing the Programmatic Partnership in 24 countries around the world. Here are some examples of Partnership activities:After the fires in Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, the world’s largest refugee camp, the Bangladesh Red Crescent and IFRC provided immediate support to families who had lost their houses and provide them with mattresses, blankets and torch lights. They also built 500 shelters in Camp 11. This funding was pooled together with the IFRC-DREF resources to provide a comprehensive response to the fire. More than €300K from the Programmatic Partnership  were allocated and 2,500 people were supported through this emergency intervention.  The Red Cross of Chad responded immediately to the Sudan crisis, providing basic support to those people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into Eastern Chad. The flexibility of the programme’s funding instrument enabled this timely and critical support.  More than €260K were allocated and 5,883 people were reached through this action.  After Ecuador was struck by several simultaneous disasters — floods, landslides, building collapses, hailstorms and an earthquake – the Ecuadorian Red Cross was able to assist the affected population by providing home, tool, kitchen, hygiene and cleaning kits, as well as mosquito nets, blankets and access to safe water. More than €250k were allocated and 13,020 people were reached in this intervention.  Volunteers across Democratic Republic of the Congo, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Panama have been trained to use the Nexus Environmental Assessment Tool (NEAT+), to better assess risks and post-disaster needs.  In Guatemala, volunteers have been trained on the use of drones for ‘photogrammetry’ – the modern way to get reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images. The training has significantly improved the ability of volunteers to assess risk and prepare accordingly.  

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