Cyclones: Key Messages

Key hazard-specific messages for individuals and communities on how to prepare for, and stay safe during, cyclones.

Hailstorms: Key Messages

Key hazard-specific messages for individuals and communities on how to prepare for, and stay safe during, hailstorms.

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.

Pilot Programmatic Partnership: Three years of achievements

Between 2022 and 2025, the Pilot Programmatic Partnership (PPP) represented an ambitious effort to transform how the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Network delivers humanitarian assistance across contexts marked by climate emergencies, protracted displacement, recurring epidemics, and fragile institutional capacity. Implemented across 25 countries with 37 National Societies (NS) worldwide and financial support from DG ECHO totalling EUR 205 million, the PPP addressed a fundamental challenge facing the humanitarian system: how to meet the growing needs of populations affected by intersecting, recurring, and protracted crises within an overstretched humanitarian system. This document summarises the key achievements and impact of this ambitious three-year programme.See country-by-country summaries of key achievements in the links below.

Strategic Planning Guideline for National Societies

This guideline helps Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies design and lead effective strategic planning processes. It provides clear explanations of what strategic thinking is, why it matters, and how to translate it into an inclusive and purposeful strategy. The guideline is a flexible resource, offering tools, guiding questions, and providing case examples that National Societies can adapt to their own context. Readers will find practical guidance on how to prepare for a planning process, consult with partners, analyse data, make strategic choices, and engage branches, volunteers and communities. It also covers how to move from plan to implementation, how to connect strategy with annual operational planning, and how to build a culture of ongoing reflection, adaptation and learning. The document highlights common challenges and shares lessons and tools to address them. Ultimately, it is designed to help National Societies strengthen ownership, cohesion, and long-term relevance through strategic planning.

International Volunteer Year 2026

International Volunteer Year 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate and thank people all around the world who dedicate their precious time and efforts to voluntary service. For the IFRC, it's also about standing in solidarity and demanding that humanitarian volunteers are respected, protected and supported. We celebrate their contributions under the banner of Local, Everywhere – in honour of the critical impact they are making every day, globally and locally.

Alumni Association

The IFRC has set up an alumni association for the thousands of dedicated colleagues who have given a significant part of their lives to the IFRC—whether at headquarters, on mission or in country.

Faster, closer, safer: Local action backed by global solidarity.

From response to recovery: IFRC President honors Jamaica Red Cross volunteers and youth

St. Catherine, Jamaica, 21 January 2026 - The Jamaica Red Cross last week welcomed President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Mrs. Kate Forbes, whose visit placed a powerful spotlight on recovery, resilience and the efforts of volunteers driving Jamaica’s humanitarian response, three months after Hurricane Melissa struck the country.At the Jamaica Red Cross national headquarters, in St. Catherine, volunteers and Red Cross Youth filled the room with songs, poetry and messages of unity, courage and humanity, a vibrant reflection of the compassion that has sustained communities through loss and rebuilding. Volunteers were formally recognised for their extraordinary dedication in the aftermath of the hurricane, even when many were personally impacted themselves.“Recovery is often the most overlooked phase of a disaster, yet it is where dignity is restored and futures are rebuilt,” said IFRC President Kate Forbes. “What I have seen in Jamaica is the true heart of humanitarian action: local volunteers, especially young people, leading with courage, creativity and care for their communities.”Jamaica Red Cross was active in communities before Hurricane Melissa made landfall, taking early action, supporting alerts and evacuations, and positioning relief for the most at-risk families. Since Hurricane Melissa hit the island, the Jamaica Red Cross has supported more than 28,000 people with shelter materials, clean water, health services, psychosocial support, and cash assistance to meet their most urgent needs.During her visit, President Forbes visited mobile health clinics in Darliston and Savanna-la-Mar, made possible through the leadership of Jamaica Red Cross volunteers and staff, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Canadian Red Cross. These mobile clinics are strengthening primary healthcare access in communities which are still navigating the long road to recovery.Jamaican Red Cross President, Ms. Allasandra Chung, underscored the significance of the visit and the volunteers it honoured. “This visit affirms that recovery is not just about rebuilding structures, but restoring hope,” Chung said. "The service of our volunteers is priceless, and this recognition belongs to every volunteer and youth member who chose humanity in the face of hardship.”President Forbes’ visit reinforces the IFRC’s long-term commitment to supporting Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, and the vital role of volunteers in rebuilding stronger, more resilient communities.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Jamaica: Chloe Govindasamy, [email protected] Geneva: India Roberts-Smillie, +41 763 726 251

Afghanistan: Earthquake 2025

A powerful 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan on 31 August, devastating Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman provinces. More than 1,100 people have lost their lives, nearly 3,000 are injured, and damaged roads and overwhelmed health facilities leave survivors struggling to access urgent care. The Afghan Red Crescent is on the ground providing emergency relief, but they need urgent support to reach more communities with life-saving aid. Your donation can make a difference – donate now to help the Afghan Red Crescent Society provide life-saving assistance.

Statement: IFRC mourns the killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer

The IFRC is deeply saddened by the death of Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteer, Iman Abbas. On 1 February, she was killed while participating in a SRCS cleaning campaign at the Sabreen open market in Omdurman, which was struck by artillery shelling. The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to Iman's family, her SRCS colleagues and loved ones. In 2024, 32 of our IFRC network volunteers and staff died or were killed while performing their humanitarian duties. Iman is the first colleague we’ve lost this year. Any attack on humanitarian personnel weakens entire communities and compromises our ability to help the people who need it most. We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.  For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]    

Beyond limits: Part 2 in Red Vest podcast's series for the International Year of Volunteers. Opening doors, revealing pathways and testing the limits of the possible.

Part 2 in Red Vest podcast's series for the International Year of Volunteers. In this episode Red Vest podcast takes you around the world, from Switzerland to Venezuela and Myanmar, to explore the many ways volunteering opens up new pathways and opportunities even as it pushes people beyond their comfort zone. We share these stories because too often they go untold, despite the fact that locally based volunteers are absolutely critical, not only to every emergencies, but to providing local responses to very complex social challenges.