IFRC launches emergency appeal as Sri Lanka faces worst floods in decades

Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 4 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 5 million Emergency Appeal to support the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in responding to catastrophic flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka on 27 November 2025. Bringing torrential rainfall of over 350 mm within 24 hours - a huge amount of rain falling in just one day - in some areas, the cyclone triggered widespread flooding and landslides across all 25 districts, affecting more than 1.46 million people and making it one of the country’s worst disasters in decades.“The scale of this disaster is immense,” said John Entwistle, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation for South Asia, currently in Sri Lanka. “While floodwaters are receding in some areas, humanitarian needs remain critical. People have lost loved ones and homes, and urgently need food, water, shelter, and medical assistance. Over 1.5 million people face food insecurity due to crop losses, disrupted livelihoods, and rising prices. The IFRC appeal will help us deliver life-saving aid now and support recovery for the long road ahead.” Authorities report hundreds of deaths with many people still missing as search and rescue operations continue. More than 230,000 people remain displaced, sheltering in overcrowded safety centres with limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Over 20,800 homes have been damaged or destroyed, while severe infrastructure damage—78 roads and 15 bridges impacted, nearly 278,000 buildings inundated, and more than 65,000 power and telecommunications outages—continues to restrict access to affected communities. Flooding remains a serious risk in downstream areas, with river levels in key basins still rising despite reduced rainfall.The IFRC has provided vital technical and financial support to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), enabling the pre-positioning of essential stocks such as shelter materials, hygiene kits, and health supplies in high-risk areas. This support also strengthened preparedness for disasters through Early Action Protocols and climate adaptation.To enable immediate action, IFRC has already released CHF 100,000 from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), with a further CHF 1 million allocation underway to scale up operations ahead of the full appeal.The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has mobilized more than 3,500 volunteers, who are conducting rapid assessments, supporting evacuations, providing first aid, and distributing safe water, hygiene kits, bedding, and food rations.“Our volunteers are working tirelessly to support communities who have lost everything,” said Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. “Urgent needs include cooked food, safe water, medicines, and shelter, but the scale of devastation means sustained support is essential to prevent worsening food insecurity, disease, and poverty.”Essential services have been severely disrupted. Hospitals and health facilities remain flooded or damaged, limiting access to care and disrupting maternal, child, and reproductive health services. Overcrowded evacuation centres are struggling to meet the needs of pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and people with disabilities, while mental-health and psychosocial needs are increasing. Access to safe drinking water remains critically compromised due to damaged and contaminated water systems.The IFRC Emergency Appeal will support emergency shelter, health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and protection services, while strengthening community resilience to future climate-related shocks.Note to editors:  Visuals from Sri LankaFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575 

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Paraguay: Red Cross strengthens neonatal care to protect mothers and newborns

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held each year, reminds us that the protection and well-being of women and children must be prioritised in all settings. This includes the right to access affordable, safe, quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period.In Paraguay, the pioneering work of the Red Cross's Reina Sofía Hospital is a prime example of how investing in maternal and neonatal health can help to prevent gender-based violence.The Reina Sofía Hospital is a historic pillar of maternal and child health in Paraguay. It was the country's first premature care centre and the first to have neonatal intensive care. It receives pregnant women from all over the country and delivers around 2,200 babies each year, 8–10 per cent of whom are born prematurely.However, the neonatal unit had been working with minimal equipment and obsolete devices.Therefore, to improve infrastructure and technology, the Paraguayan Red Cross accessed the IFRC Capacity Building Fund, which enabled the complete remodelling of the inpatient rooms and the acquisition of two new ultrasound machines for the diagnostic area.These improvements will enhance the care provided to pregnant women, newborns and premature babies, minimising risks and ensuring safer, more protective environments.Yenny Benítez, president of the Paraguayan Red Cross, summarises the impact:“The Paraguayan Red Cross is proud to say that we are raising the standards of our hospital to provide better and better care for mothers and their children.”To prevent gender-based violence, mothers must also be protectedAccess to safe and respectful obstetric care is an essential component of preventing gender-based violence, especially obstetric violence.Thanks to an agreement signed with Paraguay's Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, the neonatal therapy rooms have also been equipped with new ventilators, light therapy devices, and incubators. These improvements enable an adequate response to neonatal emergencies and protecting the lives of mothers and newborns, especially in cases of premature birth or respiratory complications.With almost 30 years of service at the institution, Head of Neonatology Dr. Marta Bareiro recalls the hospital's history:“This is a hospital with a long history of maternal and neonatal care. It used to be a premature baby ward, the first premature baby center in Paraguay. Later, it was also the first place to offer neonatal intensive care, and we were also the first hospital certified as mother- and child-friendly.”The center has intensive and intermediate care units, shared accommodation to strengthen the mother-infant bond, a clinic for healthy children, and specialized follow-up care for premature babies. It also promotes community first aid knowledge through trained volunteers from the Paraguayan Red Cross.Testimonials of protectionThe experiences of women treated at Reina Sofia Hospital demonstrate the importance of a safe environment and quality care in ensuring the emotional and physical well-being of mothers and newborns.Mirtha Alfonso, who gave birth in 1986, fondly recalls how her son was born:“He was born on 16 August 1986 here at the Red Cross. I was going to have a normal delivery, but it didn't work out, so I had a caesarean section. Then he went to intensive care. It wasn't so simple because the wards were full. Thankfully, though, one of the children was moved to intermediate care, so a crib became available.”Mirtha even donated breast milk to babies whose mothers were unable to breastfeed."When my baby was transferred to intermediate care, I was finally able to hold him and breastfeed him," Mirtha recalls, becoming emotional again. "I remember it so clearly, and it still makes me emotional. It was the first time I held my baby, and I cried with joy."Liz Marlene Ayala, a mother of two who was pregnant as a teenager, says she chose the Paraguayan Red Cross because she received understanding and dignified treatment there.“I was very young, and one of the things that made me continue my treatment here was the way I was treated. I was 16 in 2000 and came here for my consultation because of how they treated teenagers.”Having returned more than 15 years later, she recognises the improvements in infrastructure and technology, as well as the respect and warmth of the healthcare team, which has remained unchanged over the years.Hospital and Paraguayan Red Cross staff also work with the Ministry of Health on campaigns promoting sexual and reproductive health, preventing cancer in women, tackling addiction and epidemics, and encouraging voluntary blood donation.Providing care with empathy, active listening, support, and ensuring adequate technology are all ways of protecting women, girls, and newborns.In Paraguay and around the world, the IFRC network will continue to promote safe, violence-free healthcare environments, so that every mother and baby receives the care they deserve from day one.Such investments therefore play a critical role in preventing what is often referred to as “obstetric violence”, in which women are subjected to inadequate care, neglect or mistreatment in facilities involved in reproductive healthcare.

Protecting the Amazonian cocoa: innovation, science and early warning from the Ecuadorian Red Cross

In the Ecuadorian Amazon, where the rainforest is integrated into every aspect of life and culture, cacao is more than just a crop; it is a source of sustenance and a tradition.Ecuador is the world's third-largest exporter of fine aroma cocoa, a product that sweetens our palates, drives the local economy, and supports thousands of families in the Zamora Chinchipe region of the Amazon, near the border with Peru.However, cocoa crops are under threat from climate change and phenomena such as El Niño. In major cocoa-exporting countries such as Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire, extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts have led to the emergence of pests that have wiped out entire plantations.When plantations are lost, chocolate production declines, poverty increases, and food security is compromised. In this multi-threat scenario, timely information and anticipation can mean the difference between losing or saving a crop.To protect cocoa in the Amazon rainforest, two young volunteers from the Ecuadorian Red Cross branch in Zamora Chinchipe have combined science, innovation and local knowledge to design an Early Warning System to help cocoa-growing families anticipate risks and plan preventive actions.One of the two young women who promoted this initiative is Josselyn Balcázar. She is very clear about the problems facing cocoa-producing communities:‘The problem we identified is the vulnerability of cocoa producers due to the empirical management of their plantations, which does not take into account meteorological measurements in the context of climate change impacts,’ she explains.Technology to the rescue of cocoaThis Early Warning System is called SATHEOBROMA, which refers to theobroma, the scientific name for the cocoa plant. The project was launched in 2023 thanks to the Limitless programme of the Solferino Academy.‘It is a mini weather station that records precipitation, temperature, humidity and other variables daily. This information helps producers to understand when pests are likely to appear, enabling them to take appropriate measures and avoid losing their crops,’ explains Verónica Andrade, national climate change adaptation technician at the Ecuadorian Red Cross.The information is analysed to detect conditions that favour the proliferation of pests such as the well-known monilia, which can destroy entire plantations.While the initiative cannot stop the rains or prevent droughts, it does enable action to be taken before the problem escalates into a disaster. Producers receive alerts so they can act quickly and prevent losses from spreading.‘It's crucial to bring this technology to the field because without local information, we can't prevent problems,’ says Oswaldo Castillo, a Shuar cocoa technician.‘This is a very important initiative so that we can take timely action and avoid low yields,’ says Bolívar Flores, a local producer.A pilot version of the system was installed on one farm to demonstrate its functionality, before being expanded to two more farms. The Ecuadorian Red Cross plans to roll it out more widely in future to benefit additional cocoa-producing communities in the area.The initiative has even caught the interest of local institutions.'With the support of technology and technical assistance, we must prepare so that, when effects occur, we can mitigate and counteract them,' said Karla Reátegui, Prefect of Zamora Chinchipe.'From the prefecture, we also reaffirm our willingness to coordinate actions that will allow us to continue expanding the benefits to more farms and producers,' she concluded.Climate change will continue to present challenges, but with tools such as SATHEOBROMA, agricultural families are not alone.In a world where weather events are increasingly unpredictable, early warning systems are essential for ensuring food security and enabling communities to adapt.This initiative demonstrates that involving communities in decision-making allows us to identify and plan preventive measures, prepare for and respond effectively to multiple crises and disasters, and ensure that resources are directed to those who need them most.

Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate - Africa

This IFRC report,‘Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate’,highlights concrete ways National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies — and others in impacted communities — are helping people prepare and adapt to climate change, so they can stay safe in their homes or move safely and with dignity on their own terms.The report features 30 case studies from 15 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Africa that are already working across mutiple areas—identifying and reducing risks and promoting adaptation, preparing and acting early to reduce needs, providing assistance and protection, and promoting resilient recovery—to help communites adapt to a changing climate.

Sri Lanka: Tropical Cyclone Ditwah

Cyclone Ditwah has slammed Sri Lanka with catastrophic rainfall and severe flooding, leaving more than a million people affected and forcing over 218,000 into crowded safety centers. Entire communities are cut off as roads and bridges remain impassable, while thousands of homes lie destroyedand the risk of further landslides and rising waters persists. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is delivering first aid, assessments, and essential household items, but it urgently needs support to scale up assistance for the hardest-hit families. Your donation can make a difference – donate now to help the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society provide life-saving assistance.

Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)

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The Gambia: Medicines and a vital alliance against malaria

In the Kombo North district of The Gambia’s West Coast Region, the rainy season has just ended, yet its impacts remain visible. Along the road leading to several villages, tall grass and pools of stagnant water create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, the vectors of malaria.On an early afternoon in Sinthiou Sory, the Bah family gathers under the shade of a tree to escape the oppressive heat. Mariama Bah, her youngest son resting on her lap, watches as a community health worker prepares to administer the boy’s second dose of anti-malaria medication.“I had been informed of their visit, and I was determined to be here so my child could receive his dose,” she says.For Mariama, like for thousands of other mothers across The Gambia, this simple act is a vital shield in a country where children under five bear the heaviest burden of malaria.This scene is repeated in many households across Kombo North during the second cycle of the seasonal malaria chemoprevention campaign. It is an essential intervention in a country where malaria remains endemic.The power of awareness-raisingLong before any dose is administered, Gambian Red Cross volunteers were mobilized in extensive awareness-raising efforts and community engagement.“Dozens of volunteers have been trained and deployed for this campaign. They move from house to house, sharing accurate information, dispelling misconceptions, and encouraging parents to ensure that no child is left behind,” explains Alieu Jammeh, Malaria Project Manager at the Gambian Red Cross. “Their work is reinforced by awareness caravans circulating through streets and public spaces.”For Alimathou Diadhiou, local supervisor of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP), awareness-raising is essential “Without proper sensitization, we risk missing children because of simple misunderstandings or rumours,” she says. When reluctance is detected, it is reported to the supervisor, who then steps in alongside Red Cross volunteers to address concerns directly.A collaborative approach that is delivering results.“Thanks to this teamwork, reluctance is almost always resolved in the end,” says Alimathou Diadhiou. “In Sinthiou Sory, we have achieved more than 90 per cent of our coverage target.”An international partnership serving communitiesThe campaign is part of the Accelerating Malaria Elimination in The Gambia project, implemented by theIFRC and theGambia Red Cross Society,funded by China’s Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDSSCF). This initiative strengthens the Gambian government's efforts to achieve its goal of eliminating malaria.“Every dose administered is a concrete victory in the fight against malaria,” says Dr. Mame Diarra Faye, Health Programme Manager at the IFRC. “With the leadership of the Gambian government and the support of the Gambia Red Cross Society,the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), and other partners, we can and will make malaria elimination a reality.”

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Early action in Yemen: How Red Crescent volunteers protected families from the floods

When heavy rains swept across Abs district in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate last August, thousands of internally displaced families - uprooted by conflict and living in fragile shelters - found themselves exposed within minutes.Tents collapsed, roofs made of lightweight materials disintegrated, and families woke up surrounded by mud and rising water with nowhere to go.For many, the night felt endless. For some, it was life-threatening."It was very intense and very frightening." — A father’s night of fearHadi Mohammed Shaer Al-Aslami recounts the fear:"The rain was heavy and frightening. From 9 at night until 3 in the morning, it didn’t stop. It felt like a hurricane, extremely scary. I was holding onto the door with my young son next to me, crying. My mother’s shelter collapsed completely over her head. We never know how strong the rains will be each year, but this year, they were very intense and very frightening."Early preparedness supported by IFRC-DREFIn the days before the heaviest rains, Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) teams had already been monitoring alerts, identifying at-risk areas, and encouraging families to move away from flood channels.These steps - supported by IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) - helped position teams and materials closer to high-risk communities.Dr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Nassar, Executive Director of YRCS in Hajjah, explains: "We were able to anticipate the disaster. We prepared our teams and identified the communities most at risk. We didn’t wait, we acted early."A race against rising waterWhen the rain intensified overnight, volunteers moved immediately. Thanks in part to the DREF allocation, YRCS teams reached displacement sites within the first hour, while the flooding was still unfolding."The response was quick and humane. Our teams were distributing relief items, providing first aid, and setting up temporary shelter," Dr. Ahmed recalls.Across the district, the destruction was severe.Volunteer Nasser Al-Adba'i describes: "Homes were destroyed and many families had nothing left. People were in the open, without shelter or food."YRCS was the only actor able to reach the sites in time."We were the only ones in the field at the right moment. We assessed the needs and started distributions right away," he says.Volunteers standing by familiesPreparedness measures taken days earlier, including awareness sessions, simple protective barriers to divert floodwater, and helping families move away from dangerous flood paths, reduced the impact in several high-risk areas."These early steps really helped," Nasser says.Volunteer Jaradah Abdullah recalls how a small protective barrier built earlier prevented an entire displacement site from being swept away: "Without it, we could have lost lives, not just homes."Shelter, cash, and relief for families who lost everythingYRCS volunteers worked around the clock to provide emergency shelter materials, transitional tents, mattresses, blankets, and cash assistance to help affected families buy food and essential items.Volunteer Lina Mohjib says: "The damage was huge, but the support gave people hope again. Without shelter and cash assistance, many would have had to leave the area completely."Volunteer Khaled Sultan also recalls families sleeping in the open, waiting for help: "People were outside with no shelter and no food. We were able to provide transitional shelters during those first days to protect them from the ongoing rains."Local action, strengthened by timely supportThe August floods in Abs highlighted the importance of local presence, early preparedness, and fast mobilization. Volunteers - many from the same communities affected - moved quickly to reach those in greatest danger.As Dr. Ahmed reflects: "This response strengthened our confidence in our ability to protect people early, before the situation becomes a tragedy."Preparedness and early action like this save lives.To see how the IFRC and its member National Societies help communities act before hazards turn into disasters, explore:• Early warning, early action at IFRC• How the IFRC-DREF supports rapid local response

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About the IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Our secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries, bringing together more than 17 million volunteers for the good of humanity.

Our volunteers

Our more than 17 million volunteers worldwide are the beating heart of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). They are our strength. They are what define us. And they help make the world a safer and more peaceful place every single day.

Large-scale power disruptions in and around Kyiv leave 200,000 people without heating

Kyiv/Budapest/Geneva, 14 January – Ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and the resulting damage to heating and electricity networks have left large parts of Kyiv and nearby districts without essential services at the height of winter.Around 800 residential buildings in Kyiv City are without heating and electricity, affecting around 200,000 people. Other hard-hit regions include Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel, where heating systems are almost completely down.The Ukrainian Red Cross, supported by IFRC and other partners, is scaling up its emergency response to support people who have been left in the dark and cold. Red Cross teams, in close coordination with the State Emergency Service, serve hot meals and warm drinks and provide phone charging stations in heating points across the capital and its suburbs, serving around 700 people daily. Psychosocial support is also available, with 10 psychologists and several trained volunteers deployed to assist people.Emergency repairs to energy systems are ongoing, but further attacks on energy infrastructure are likely, meaning humanitarian support will continue to be critical.Spokespeople from IFRC and the Ukrainian Red Cross based in Kyiv are available for interviews. For more information or to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected] Budapest: Nora Peter, +36 70 265 4020In Geneva: India Roberts-Smillie, +41 76 372 6251