Tsunamis

A tsunami is a sea wavetriggered bya large-scale displacement of the sea floor. They are most commonly caused by earthquakes but can also be causedby major underwater (or 'submarine') landslides or volcanic eruptions. They can strike any coast at any time.Tsunamis can move as fast as a jet plane across the open ocean and can hit land with waves higher than 20 metres. Water canwash inland for several kilometres in flat lying areasand move up streams and rivers, destroying everything in its path. Waves may continue to strike the shoreline for many hoursand dangerous currents can continue for several days.Although a tsunami can't be prevented, its impact can be reduced when communities understand the risks, receive timely warnings and know how to respond.

Landslides

A landslide or landslip is the mass movement of rock, debris, earth or mud down a slope.While most landslides are caused by gravity, they can also be caused by rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, groundwater pressure, erosion, destabilization of slopes as a result of deforestation, cultivation and construction, and snow or glacial melt. Debris flows, or mudflows, are fast-moving landslides that are especially dangerous due to their speed and volume. Some debris flows havebeen recorded as reaching speeds of over 160 kilometres per hour.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is a sudden andrapid shaking of the ground caused by the shifting of rocks beneath the earth’s surface, or by volcanic or magmatic activity in the earth. Earthquakes strike suddenly, without warning, and can occur at any time. Theycan lead to death, injuries, property damage, loss of shelter and livelihoodsand disruption of critical infrastructure.Most deaths are due to buildingscollapsing or to secondary hazards, such as fires, tsunamis, flooding, landslides and release of chemicals or toxic materials.

Epidemics and pandemics

Epidemicsare an unexpected, often sudden, increase of a specific illness within a community or region.Pandemicsare when an epidemic occurs worldwide, crossing international borders and affecting a large number of people.A number of communicable diseasescan be significant health threats at the local, regional andglobal leveland leadto epidemics or pandemics. Epidemics and pandemics can be prevented and mitigated through a range of household and community measures, such as good hygiene, social distancing and vaccination.

Cold waves

A cold wave, sometimes knownas a cold snap or deep freeze, is a weather event involving a cooling of the air,or the invasion of very cold air, over a large area. It is marked by a drop of average temperature well belowthe averages of a region. Cold waves can havenegative impactson people, crops, properties and services. Theycan be preceded or accompanied by significant winter weather events, such as blizzards or ice storms. And they can feel even colder during periods of high winds.

Our recruitment process

Learn more about our recruitment processes and what you can expect if you apply for a job, consultancy opportunity or internship with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Heat waves

A heat wave is an extended period of unusually high temperatures and often high humidity.They are expected to become more frequent and more severe in future due to climate change. People affected by heat waves cansufferfrom shock, becomedehydrated and developserious heat illnesses. Heat waves can also worsenchronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Droughts

Drought is a long-lasting period of low precipitation (rainfall, snowfall or snowmelt)resulting in a shortage of water. When communities don't have enough water for drinking, sanitation and agriculture it can lead tofood insecurity, the spread of disease, malnutrition and starvation, migration and economic losses. Drought can also have a negative impact onpower generation, transportation and commercial or industrial needs in a country.

Suppliers

The IFRC is keen to widen our range of suppliers in order to find quality goods and services at competitive prices that will support us to deliverourmission.

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Community focus for global health risks

Community-level health volunteers and activities are vital to addressing the most pressing global health risks. Governments and international partners must provide greater funding and recognition for the role of community level health volunteers and interventions.

Code of Conduct for the Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief

The Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in disaster relief seeks to guard our standards of behaviour so that we can maintain the highest standards of independence, effectiveness and impact.

Governing Board

The Governing Board governs the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) between each General Assembly. It is responsible for delivering the overall direction and policy of the IFRC and meets at least twice a year.

Malaria

Malaria is a preventable and treatable disease transmitted by mosquitoes.According to the WorldHealthOrganization (WHO), malaria kills more than 619,000 people every year. Pregnant women and children are at highest risk, with an estimated two thirds of malaria deaths among children under the age of five.

What is a disaster?

Disasters are serious disruptions to the functioning of a community that exceed its capacity to cope using its own resources.Disasters can be caused by natural, man-made and technological hazards, as well as various factors that influence the exposure and vulnerability of a community.