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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Emergency health

The IFRC and our 191 National Societies striveto reduce illness and death, improve health and maintain people’s dignity during emergencies.Our emergency health team works to improvethequality, reliability, predictability andflexibilityof our health services around the world in preparation for emergencies.

Communicable diseases

Communicable diseases are diseases that spread from person to person or from animals to humans. Learn about various communicable diseases below and about what the IFRC and our National Societies do to keep communities around the world healthy.

Drug disorders

The IFRC network provides strong advocacy, prevention, treatment and care services for people who use drugs. Our aim is to help National Societies better support people with drug disorders, with a focus on harm reduction and tackling stigma and social exclusion.

People and structures

Learn about thepeople and structures that make up the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Emblems and logo

Learn about the different logos and emblems used by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world.

Emergency needs assessments

When Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies help people affected by disasters or crises, they start by conducting emergency needs assessments. These assessments help them understand the extent and impact of the damage a disaster or crisis has caused, as well as the ability of the affected population to meet its immediate survival needs.

Report a concern

The IFRC’s Integrity Line reporting system is available for anyone to report any possible misconduct involving the IFRC and our Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.

Donor response

Discover information about donor response to our programmes and appeals in recent years.