Climate of storms: A string of recent super storms expose the human costs of a warming world

Even in places where tropical storms are normal a part of life, the destructive power of Hurricane Melissa and the two recent Typhoons in the Philippines came as a shock to the millions of people who lived through them. When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, for example, it was classified as a Category 5 — the strongest storm the island nation has ever experienced. Why are tropical storms like Melissa becoming so severe? And why are they becoming so frequent? Perhaps most importantly, what can we do about it? These are some of the questions we tackle through recorded interviews with people on the front lines of the storm's impact and with three special guests who are experts in the field of emergency preparedness, disaster response and the science of climate change.

The volunteer heart: Why are so many so driven to help others? Part 1 in a special 'Year of the Volunteer' series.

With 2026 being designated as the ‘Year of the Volunteers’, Red Vest launches the first in a series of podcasts exploring the key questions and challenges at the heart of volunteering. In this episode, we visit a welcome centre for refugees in Geneva, Switzerland where we explore the question at the heart of volunteering: what is it that drives people to help others, even when there’s no expectation of reward or reciprocation. In future episodes, we examine the critical role local volunteers play in addressing the world’s biggest challenges, the dangers and risks volunteers often face, and how volunteering often opens doors to new challenges and experiences for those who take the initiative to help others.

The Red Vest podcast

Red Vest is an immersive audio and storytelling experience that will take you where no other podcast can: the front lines of today’s most vexing and compelling humanitarian crises and challenges. You’ll experience ocean rescues, meet moms and dads developing long term solutions in hunger-afflicted villages, ride along with emergency first responders, and listen to the voices of people at the forefront of saving lives, finding solutions and making their communities safer, healthier and happier.

New Red Vest podcast episode: The volunteer heart — Why are so many people driven to help others in need?

So far and so cold: How the 'snow-how' of Norwegian Red Cross helps Arctic Communities prepare for emergencies

IFRC calls for stronger regional solidarity as humanitarian needs continue to rise in Asia Pacific

Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026: As we conclude our Annual Regional Strategic Coordination Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, one message is unmistakably clear: solidarity across our Red Cross and Red Crescent network has never been more vital. Asia Pacific is the most disaster-affected region in the world. Communities across the region are facing more frequent and severe floods, cyclones and heatwaves, rising displacement, and overlapping vulnerabilities. At the same time, humanitarian needs are growing while funding continues to shrink. This widening gap between needs and resources is placing unprecedented pressure on local responders and the communities they serve.Over the past three days, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies came together to reflect on these realities and look ahead. We discussed regional risks, emerging humanitarian needs, and shared priorities for the year to come. We examined how local Red Cross Red Crescent Societies can better prepare and respond to disasters, how the climate crisis impacts are reshaping humanitarian action, and how Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are increasingly leading responses both at home and in support of sister organisations in other countries.What emerged clearly from these discussions was a shared understanding that no single organisation can meet today’s humanitarian challenges alone: National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies must deepen cooperation within our own global network, while also working closely with like-minded partners. Solidarity: practical, operational, and financial, is the foundation of our collective strength. Helping your neighbours is not humanitarianism; it’s a basic decency. Humanitarianism is helping strangers. That spirit of mutual support across borders defines the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and it will sustain us in the years ahead.Despite mounting pressures, the IFRC network remains committed to being local, everywhere. In many crises, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff are among the first to respond and the last to leave. Increasingly, they are the only humanitarians still present as others scale down. This reality demands that we work smarter, coordinate better, and ensure limited resources are used where they can have the greatest impact.The IFRC’s Global Plan for 2026 reflects this approach. With a funding requirement of 3.4 billion Swiss francs, it prioritises locally led action, strengthens National Society leadership, and channels most internationally mobilised resources to the national level. Investment in local capacity is not only more cost-effective — it is essential for sustainable humanitarian response.What gives me hope is the strength of this region’s National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Several National Societies that once received international assistance are now leading responses in their own countries and supporting neighbours across borders. This solidarity extends beyond the region, with long-standing partner National Societies continuing to show true comradeship by standing with sister organizations when they need to support most. This is humanitarianism at its best — not saviourism, but shared purpose, grounded in dignity, mutual support and respect for local leadership.As we conclude this meeting, we do so with renewed determination. The challenges ahead are immense, but so is the collective strength of our Red Cross and Red Crescent family. In a time of shrinking resources and growing humanitarian needs, solidarity is not just a commitment — it is how we will continue to deliver for communities across Asia Pacific. We call on like-minded partners to stand with us in this shared endeavour, so that assistance continues to reach those who need it most.Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances +60 19 271 3641

Global Plan

The IFRC’s Global Plan 2026 outlines the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues and our approach to ensure that each of our 191 National Societies has the support they need to respond to crises and build community resilience.

Child protection in disasters and emergencies - PAPE messages

This short guide offers actions and messages relating to child protection during disasters and emergencies. It is designed for use with children, their parents, their school leaders and communities. Learn more about protection and about preparing communities for disasters.

IFRC Renewal

This document outlines the Strategic Reorientation of the Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Office of Internal Audit and Investigation 2024 Annual Report

This document reports on the work carried out by IFRC's Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) in 2024. It sets out the mandate of the team, the activities performed, the high level findings of OIAI’s audit work, and the trends emerging from OIAI’s allegation data.

Internal audit and investigations

The Office of Internal Audit and Investigations (OIAI) is the cornerstone of the IFRC’s assurance arrangements. It supports us to uphold our Fundamental Principlesand meet our obligations for good governance, accountability, transparency and integrity.

Public Awareness and Public Education for Disaster Risk Reduction

The IFRC and Save the Children have developed Public Awareness and Public Education (PAPE)messages tohelpcommunities improve their knowledge of disaster risks and put in place measures to stay safe.

IFRC Global Plan 2026

The IFRC’s Global Plan 2026addresses the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues and outlines how the IFRC – as a global network of local actors – is evolving to place more resources and expertise closer to its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The IFRC’s support for local humanitarian action is needed more than ever in a rapidly changing world where increasing numbers of people are placed at risk by climate extremes, disasters, health crises, displacement and other threats to their safety, security and wellbeing. The Global Planoutlines how the IFRC is evolving to ensure National Societies and their 17 million community-based volunteers are able to meet and address these challenges. In 2026, wherever people are at risk, the IFRC will work to empower the locally led humanitarian action that supports communities in crisis and builds the lasting resilience that reduces future needs.The executive summary of the plan is available here.

IFRC mourns the killing of one Iranian Red Crescent colleague

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 14 January 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the killing of Amir Ali Latifi, an Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) staff member, and the wounding of five other IRCS colleagues, who were all in the line of duty in Gillan province, on 10 January 2026.The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues.We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all medical and humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance during this difficult time. Humanitarian workers must be protected.The Iranian Red Crescent Society is a humanitarian organization and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, operating in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence.The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.For more information: [email protected] BeirutMey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68   In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67   

Public awareness and public education for disaster risk reduction: Key messages (2nd edition)

This updated publication provides practical advice and guidance about disaster risk reduction messages and information to share with the public. It can be used by any institution with a responsibility for improving the safety of communities and to mitigate the impacts of shocks, hazards and disasters.