Geneva, 31 July 2020 –Seventy-five years ago, on the morning of August 6, 1945, a B-29 warplane released a terrifying new weapon on Hiroshima.The nuclear bomb wiped out the city, instantly killing an estimated 70,000 people and leaving tens of thousands more suffering horrific injuries. Three days later, on 9 August, a second nuclear bomb devastated the city of Nagasaki, immediately killing 39,000 people.By 1950, an estimated 340,000 people had died because of the bombs' effects, including from illnesses caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Japanese Red Cross Society witnessed the unimaginable suffering and devastation, as medical and humanitarian personnel attempted, in near-impossible conditions, to assist the dying and injured.The 75th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki comes even as the risk of use of nuclear weapons has risen to levels not seen since the end of the Cold War. Military incidents involving nuclear states and their allies have increased in frequency, and nuclear-armed states have made explicit threats to use nuclear weapons.Additionally, agreements to eliminate existing arsenals are being abandoned as new nuclear weapons are being developed, putting the world on the dangerous path of a new nuclear arms race. These developments add urgency to the international community's efforts to prohibit and eliminate these unacceptable weapons. The indisputable evidence of their catastrophic impact makes it extremely doubtful that their use could ever comply with international humanitarian law."The horror of a nuclear detonation may feel like distant history. But today the risk of nuclear weapons being used again is high. Treaties to reduce nuclear arsenals and risks of proliferation are being abandoned, new types of nuclear weapons are being produced, and serious threats are being made. That's an arms race, and it's frightening. We must push all states to ban nuclear weapons and push nuclear weapons states to negotiate, in good faith, steps towards their elimination," said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)."The international community would not be able to help all those in need after a nuclear blast. Widespread radiation sickness, a decline in food production, and the tremendous scale of destruction and contamination would make any meaningful humanitarian response insufficient. No nation is prepared to deal with a nuclear confrontation," said Francesco Rocca, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).Proving the wide support for a nuclear-free world, 122 states in July 2017 adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The treaty will become legally binding for countries that ratify it after 50 do so; to date 40 have. The treaty prohibits the development, testing, production, stockpiling, stationing, transfer, use and threat of use of nuclear weapons. For nuclear-armed states that join the treaty, it provides for a time-bound framework for the verified elimination of their nuclear weapons program.Mr Maurer and Mr Rocca commended the states that have already joined the TPNW and encouraged all others to follow suit, ensuring the events of 1945 never occur again. The two leaders said it was crucial that the TPNW becomes a new norm of international humanitarian law."Not since the end of the Cold War has it been more urgent to call attention to catastrophic consequences and fundamental inhumanity of nuclear weapons. We must signal in a clear and unambiguous manner that their use, under any circumstances, would be unacceptable in humanitarian, moral and legal terms," said Mr Rocca.There are over 14,000 nuclear bombs in the world, thousands of which are ready to be launched in an instant. The power of many of those warheads is tens of times greater than the weapons dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima."Weapons with catastrophic humanitarian consequences cannot credibly be viewed as instruments of security," said Mr Maurer.

Dhaka/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 30 June 2020: Urgent early action is being taken to protect lives in Bangladesh as floods threaten 4.1 million people in large areas across the country that are already grappling with COVID-19.The Global Flood Awareness System (GLOFAS) has issued a flood forecast with a more than 50 per cent probability of a severe 1-in-10-year flood submerging some areas of Bangladesh for at least three days.A 5-day forecast by Bangladesh’s Flood Forecast and Warning Centre (FFWC) has also confirmed the severity of the floods. Bangladesh Red Crescent Society is implementing early actions with forecast-based funds from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to protect the lives, property and livelihoods of more than 16,500 people most at risk in three districts: Kurigram, Gaibandha and Jamalpur.Bangladesh Red Crescent Society Secretary General Feroz Salah Uddin said: “The flood water is rising alarmingly and many areas are already inundated. Our volunteers and staff are on the ground to assist the most vulnerable communities before the water reaches the danger level.“This funding will help us accelerate our early actions when time is running out.”The forecast has triggered the release of more than 230,000 Swiss francs (240,000 US dollars) from IFRC’s designated fund for anticipatory action, Forecast-based Action by the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund.This funding will help support Bangladesh Red Crescent in evacuating people in the most at risk communities to safe shelters with their valuable assets and livestock; providing unconditional cash grants to those affected; and giving first aid treatment to those who need it. Precautionary measures are also being taken to reduce the risk of COVID-19 by pre-positioning facemasks and hand sanitisers for distribution.IFRC Head of Bangladesh Country Office Azmat Ulla said: “As a potentially severe flood continues to threaten millions of people in Bangladesh, we are taking a variety of preparedness measures to save lives and reduce loss. Together with Bangladesh Red Crescent we are reaching out to the communities in need to help them evacuate and to provide them with cash grants that give people in the path of floodwaters the ability to address their most urgent needs.“The compounding effects of COVID-19 and the floods could be devastating and this funding is crucial to reducing the impact as much as possible.”This is the second time in six weeks that IFRC has released forecast-based funds to support early and life-saving action in Bangladesh, after releasing more than 134,000 Swiss francs (138,000 US dollars) ahead of Cyclone Amphan in May.Early actions and forecast thresholds are pre-defined and agreed in BDRCS’ Early Action Protocol for Floods that has been developed with support of German Red Cross and Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.

Kuala Lumpur/Geneva/Cox’s Bazar, 22 June 2020--Two new isolation field hospitals are opening to treat an alarming and growing number of COVID-19 patients in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh camps and adjacent host communities. The isolation and treatment centres help address a growing gap in critical medical care needed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and mass deaths in the world’s biggest camps for displaced people from Rakhine state of Myanmar. More than 1500 cases of COVID-19 in the Cox’s Bazar region, including 37 confirmed cases and three deaths in the crowded camps, are putting immense pressure on existing government hospitals and health facilities established by international relief agencies. Syed Ali Nasim Khaliluzzaman, Head of Population Movement Operation, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in Cox’s Bazar, said that the true extent of the outbreak may not be fully apparent yet due to limited testing and health facilities available in the camp. “Extremely overcrowded living conditions, the existence of chronic diseases, basic sanitation and hygiene facilities and limited access to healthcare make the displaced communities in Cox’s Bazar extremely vulnerable to the virus,” he said There are an estimated 1.24 million people in the Cox’s Bazar area, including more than 900,000 people living in the camps, with the existing healthcare system stretched to the limit even before the COVID-19 outbreak. As part of a coordinated humanitarian effort, Red Cross Red Crescent has already established 12 healthcare facilities in the camp and meeting the health needs remains a huge challenge for all aid organisations in Cox’s Bazar. “The two new field hospitals are a step to closing the gap in crucial medical care, but it is important to remember that COVID-19 is not the only health emergency for the people living in these camps,”saidSanjeev Kumar Kafley, Head of IFRC’s sub-office in Cox’s Bazar. “Whilst the virus is emerging as a massive threat to people living in the camp, there remain high levels of deadly diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections and clusters of measles, all placing ongoing demands on the healthcare system in and around the camps. “These communities now need even more support than ever, which can only be provided through a unified effort between national agencies, humanitarian organisations and the international community.” Photosavailable here

Geneva, 11 May 2020– Nurses and other health care workers on the frontlines of the fight against COVID-19 deserve to be recognized and commended for their lifesaving efforts and personal sacrifices amid increased medical risk - and in some places amid ostracization, harassment and attack. The International Council of Nurses and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are jointly celebrating International Nurses Day this May 12, to laud nurses around the globe, and in particular those managing an unprecedented workload by treating patients with COVID-19 while also maintaining other essential health services. Although many communities have made it a point to thank medical professionals, in other locations there are worrying reports of harassment and violence against nurses and other health care personnel linked to the COVID-19 response, including in public transportation and at health workers’ own homes. “Nurses are the world’s life-savers. They are risking their own health and too often sacrificing time with their family to help those suffering from COVID-19,” said Robert Mardini, the director-general of the International Committee of the Red Cross. “It’s heartening to see many communities praise and thank nurses, but it’s distressing that other nurses face harassment, stigmatization, and even attack.” “The safety of health care workers during this pandemic is crucial for communities to overcome the disease. They not only save people from COVID-19, they also ensure the continuity of life saving health services to protect people from accidents and other illnesses,” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. “We are concerned that the pandemic is putting pressure on medical staff and health systems to a breaking point, especially in vulnerable and fragile settings.” “Stigmatization and violence against nurses and other health workers in some countries is shocking; the only response is zero-tolerance,” said International Council of Nurses President Annette Kennedy. “The pandemic has seen frontline nurses rightly recognised as heroes, but they are also ordinary mothers and fathers with their own families to protect. They deserve to be able to work free from fear, whether because of a lack of PPE or because of harassment and attack.” Nurses serving vulnerable communities in poorer areas of the world are also particularly at risk due to COVID-19. As it turns out, the World Health Assembly’s designation of 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife was a prescient show of appreciation, Kennedy said. Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is key to protecting the health of medical workers and should be prioritized for them. Additionally, there is an urgent need to ensure that PPE and other medical supplies are available and accessible in low-resource and conflict countries through national measures and intergovernmental cooperation. In the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, where health care systems are functioning reasonably well, around 10 percent of health care workers have been infected with COVID-19, a huge number of people that may well be an underestimation. This percentage could be much higher in places with healthcare systems already strained by conflict or longstanding lack of investment. The Red Cross and Red Crescent and the International Council of Nurses call on governments to commit to ensuring the protection and safety of nurses and other health workers, especially in resource-poor, disaster and conflict settings. It is only by ensuring the health and safety of healthcare workers that we – collectively and globally – can ensure a competent medical response in this time of COVID-19.

Geneva, London and New York, 5 May 2020: Billion Dollar Boy, the creative agency for the influencer age, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are creating the world’s first global influencer network to tackle the COVID-19 infodemic. Edward East, CEO and Founder at Billion Dollar Boy, said: “Social media should be a very effective tool for reaching a global populace. But with misinformation and fake news so prevalent, that message has to be unified and delivered from trusted sources. Our IFRC network of influencers ticks both these boxes. Instead of being continually vilified, influencers can now put their vast skill-sets to work delivering potentially life-saving approved messaging to millions of people when it is needed the most.” The network will launch with more than 30 influencers from across four continents with a combined reach of more than 2 million followers, with more expected to join every day. Influencers signed up already include Italy’s Antonio Nunziata (230,000+ followers), the UK’s Katie Woods, (190,000) and UAE’s Neda Ghenai (116,000). Every week the IFRC will send the influencers network an approved message that they want to disseminate. The influencer will then take that messaging and create their own content. This will then be vetted by Billion Dollar Boy and officially approved by the IFRC for distribution. There is a landing page here, where influencers can apply to volunteer their time and content to the cause. Nichola Jones, IFRC’s Cross Media Manager, said: “Getting the right information out there when an emergency strikes is as important as healthcare. Making sure people have access to facts and trusted sources in a situation like this saves lives. “Influencers have a crucial role to play in tackling this infodemic and cutting through the noise. They have a level of access to younger people that public authorities or charities don’t have and their relationship with their followers is different. By working together, we can make sure credible content reaches a broader audience and has a positive impact.” Influencers, who are often unfairly portrayed negatively in the media, can now quickly and easily put their expertise, skills and millions of followers to positive effect during an unprecedented crisis. And because their followers engage with them and trust their content, they are perfectly placed to combat the spread of misinformation and show solidarity with approved IFRC messaging. Since lockdown in countries across the world, social media use has skyrocketed, making it an ideal channel for reaching people. Data from global research company Nielsen says 33 per cent of people are spending more time on social media during lockdown while Facebook’s own data shows that 70% more time spent across their apps since the crisis with Instagram Live and Facebook Live views increasing by 50 per cent in March. About Billion Dollar Boy Founded in April 2014, Billion Dollar Boy is the Creative Agency for the influencer age. With offices in New York and London, it is the agency of record for global brands such as PepsiCo, Walgreens Boots Alliance, L’Oreal, Zalando and Primark. Through the creation and implementation of proprietary technology, it creates dynamic, inventive and innovative influencer marketing strategies, that are tracked and continually optimised to deliver exceptional ROI.

New York/Geneva, 24 April2020– Following his briefings to UN permanent missions this week, Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), stressed the importance of communities coming together to mitigate the immediate and secondary impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic across the global community. “Covid-19 is a wake-up call to the international community. There is an urgent need for global solidarity to address this pandemic. This crisis connects us all in an unprecedented way. The safety and well-being of each individual are critical for the safety and well-being of the entire world,” said President Rocca. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are supporting even the most vulnerable communities affected by the crisis. In Syria, Red Crescent volunteers are safely distributing food door-to-door, despite the on-going threat of food insecurity among more than 9 million people. Local personal protective equipment has been purchased, protecting volunteers who are operating ambulances around the clock. In Bangladesh, volunteer teams across Cox’s Bazar have set up water distribution points and are going home-to-home to teach more than 372,000 people hand-washing skills. In Venezuela, teams have worked to provide more than 40 tons of humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and hygiene items, to those most in need. Dedicated Red Cross volunteers and staff are running more than 40 health care sites across the country. The Red Cross and Red Crescent is also scaling up community response efforts, early warning systems and contact tracing across much of Africa. “We are only starting to see glimpses of the impact COVID-19 might have on the African continent. We need to strengthen community response in under-resourced countries to help prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from becoming an even more complex disaster,” Rocca said. There are already signs of hope. In Somaliland, a Red Crescent team that had already been trained to respond to disease outbreaks through community-based surveillance methods detected the first case of COVID-19 early. The proper steps were taken in sharing information, isolating the case, and alerting fellow community members. The secondary impacts of COVID-19, such as poverty and the severe threat of food insecurity to millions around the world, “should give a wake up a call to the international community, Rocca warned. “COVID-19 is changing our communities and we need to plan, together with Institutions, a social response before it is too late,” he said. “The higher price of food now means that an increasing number of families will likely be reducing the number of meals they consume per day. To further slow, and eventually halt the spread of the pandemic, “measures should be guided by health data, and supported by responsible communication to all citizens,” Rocca added. This includes adequate testing, contact tracing and strengthening of health care systems as well as providing psychosocial support for community members. To ensure a proper response is possible, Rocca urged that essential humanitarian aid must be able to flow into countries without added barriers like sanctions. “Procedures for exemptions are often lengthy and costly. We are engaging with the stakeholders concerned to seek exemptions for essential humanitarian items and to meet the urgent needs of the population,” Rocca said. Rocca emphasized that prevention measures including proper hand washing and physical distancing should remain steadily in place, as well as consistent community engagement to ensure that people feel informed and empowered - both key factors to help save millions of lives. A full recording of the press briefing is available here.

Manila/Kuala Lumpur 14 January 2020 – Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated after Taal volcano in Batangas, the Philippines, began spewing ash on 12 January and lava in the early hours of 13 January.The Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology raised the volcano’s alert level to four out of a maximum of five, prompting precautionary evacuations of people living in a danger zone. Almost 25,000 people are now in more than 120 evacuation centres. More than 450,000 people live within the 14-kilometre danger zone and could be displaced by a hazardous eruption, which is possible within hours or days.Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said:“I’m not trying to scare everybody, but we are preparing for the worst. The possibility of an explosive eruption is high. The challenge right now is taking care of many evacuees. Even more people need to be evacuated. “We urge people living in the danger zone to evacuate and follow evacuation orders issued by the authorities. Bring your animals and livestock to evacuation centres if you must. The Philippine Red Cross is working round the clock to assess and meet the needs of affected communities.”The Philippine Red Cross has been providing services and emergency items to people in evacuation centres through deploying ambulances, giving out dust masks, providing hot meals, water, sanitation and hygiene, and offering psychosocial support and child-friendly spaces.Acting Head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Country Office, Patrick Elliott said:“This is an uneasy time for thousands of people living near Taal volcano. Almost 25,000 people have managed to evacuate very quickly but more are at risk if the activity escalates into a major eruption.”About IFRC IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 192 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world. www.ifrc.org - Facebook - Twitter - YouTube 

Geneva, 12 December 2019-- Representatives from 168 States joined 187 Red Cross Red Crescent Societies, at the International Conference in Geneva which closed today. The International Conference, held every four years since 1867, brings together States party to the Geneva Conventions and global Red Cross Red Crescent representatives.The International Conference is a unique opportunity for decision-makers to discuss the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues and adopt resolutions that guide future humanitarian action.  Previous decisions have contributed to the strengthening of international humanitarian law (IHL) and legal frameworks for disasters whilst ensuring safe environments for volunteering. This year, key issues on the agenda included trust, mental health, climate change, pandemic preparedness, data protection and migration.“The International Conference is a unique place for the Red Cross and Red Crescent to discuss critical humanitarian challenges with governments,” said Peter Maurer, ICRC President. “The fact that we had 168 States actively participating shows that governments have a strategic interest in responding to humanitarian crises and engaging with the Movement.”In an era of increasing scrutiny of the humanitarian sector, in-depth discussions on trust, integrity, accountability were central to the 3-day Conference.  “Being trusted by the people we serve is critical to being able to restore family links, to ensuring lifesaving access, to working with and alongside communities,” said Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).A summary of all the Resolutions approved today can be found here but highlights included: Bringing IHL home: A road map for better implementation of international humanitarian law. The Movement and States reaffirmed their commitment to IHL and its full application and implementation, especially at the national level. Restoring Family Links (RFL) while respecting privacy: Protecting personal data is about protecting people. The growing insecurity linked to the digital age and the pervasive threat of unauthorized access to personal data require that the Movement devote ourselves even more diligently to the protection of RFL activities. Addressing mental health and psychosocial needs of people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies: States and the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement agree to include mental health and psychosocial support to be included in the first wave of humanitarian emergencies. Climate-smart disaster laws and policies that leave no one behind: People living in vulnerable or fragile contexts feel the impact of climate change most severely. The Movement is working to reinforce the capacity of affected communities to absorb the combined impacts of conflict, violence and climate shocks. Time to act: Tackling epidemics and pandemics together. In light of threat that epidemics and pandemics pose to global health, the economy and stability, particularly in the world’s most vulnerable areas, the Red Cross Red Crescent cooperate with the public authorities in the prevention of disease, the promotion of health and the mitigation of human suffering. Women and leadership in the humanitarian action of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. A resolution affirming the importance of women being represented at the decision-making level.“I’m pleased that States together with the Movement have committed to tackle the new challenges emerging on the world’s frontlines,” said Maurer. “They reaffirmed the importance of the laws of war, at a time when technical innovation is raising questions about how much control humans have over weapons. And they agreed to protect the personal data of people searching for their loved ones. We also saw an encouraging groundswell of support to boost mental health responses.”“We are pleased to have reached agreement on the different resolutions,“ said Rocca. “We are now ready to ensure the follow up of all the decisions and we will continue to advocate strongly for the localization agenda and the support our National Societies which are local actors par excellence: Strong National Societies, strong local actors, mean strong local communities.”

Geneva, 3 December 2019 –Nepali humanitarian and Red Cross Red Crescent veteran, Jagan Chapagain, has been selected as the new Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Mr Chapagain was selected today during an extraordinary meeting of the IFRC Governing Board. An engineer by training, he brings more than 25 years’ experience within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. Most recently, Mr Chapagain has served a series of senior IFRC roles, including as Regional Director for Asia Pacific, as Chief of Staff and as Under Secretary General for Programmes and Operations, a role that sees him guide all IFRC relief and development efforts around the world. Announcing Mr Chapagain’s selection, IFRC President Francesco Rocca said: “We are very excited to announce Jagan as our new Secretary General. He brings a deep knowledge and understanding of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: he started his path in our Movement as a volunteer and I am sure he will bring all his first-hand experience as an added value to this position. He also has a strong vision for the role the IFRC can and must play, both within the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and as part of the broader humanitarian sector.” Mr Chapagain’s announcement comes at the end of a six-month open recruitment process that was led by Russell Reynolds Associates together with an internal selection committee. Mr Chapagainwillbegin his four-year mandateon 1 February2020. He will replace current Secretary General, Elhadj As Sy. The IFRC Governing Board expresses its deep appreciation to As Sy, for his leadership and able guidance since 2014. “Let me also take this opportunity to thank As for his great commitment to humanity and his immeasurable dedication to our organization and to the millions of people we serve. I am sure our paths will come across again soon: once part of the Red Cross Red Crescent family, he will be part of it forever”, said Rocca. The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 13.7 million volunteers and 160,000 local branches, working in local communities to save lives and promote dignity around the world.

Geneva, 29 November 2019 – The leaders of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will gather next week at the Centre International de Conferences (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland, for a series of meetings that will shape the future of the world’s largest humanitarian movement.The Statutory Meetings of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will bring together the leadership of all 190 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, along with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The Statutory Meetings run from 3-12 December and comprise four separate meetings: The IFRC Youth Forum will take place from 3 to 4 December to ensure the youth voice echoes throughout the Statutory meetings. This gathering is not open to the press. The IFRC General Assembly – the highest decision-making body of the 190-member Federation – will take place from 5 to 7 December. This gathering is not open to the press. The Council of Delegates – the body that also involves ICRC and that meets to discuss matters that concern the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as a whole – will take place on 8 December. This gathering is not open to the press. The International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent - the only gathering of States convened by non-governmental actors – will take place from 9 to 12 December and is open to the press.You can find the full programme here.What’s on the agenda? The climate crisis is at the top of global humanitarian challengesDuring the International Conference there will be a focus on the humanitarian impacts of climate change, drawing attention to key challenges and opportunities, and identifying what can be done now to scale up joint action.Trust in humanitarian actionTrust is the foundation of humanitarian action. Access, support and respect for the Movement’s mission depends on the trust of the people and communities it serves, of the responsible authorities and of the general public. The leaders of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement will discuss trust from the following perspectives: community engagement and accountability; integrity and compliance and principled humanitarian action.Scaling up mental health and psychosocial support in humanitarian crisesWhen traumas are invisible, they can be easily overlooked or deprioritized. Yet war and disaster have a devastating impact on the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of millions.At the Conference, the Movement will call on all States to prioritize mental health and psychosocial support in situations of war and disasters, as a critical component of first wave humanitarian assistance, and as an integral part of domestic and international emergency response systems.PandemicsThere is a high probability that the world will experience a severe outbreak that could destabilize entire societies. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement will discuss ways to confront pandemics, such as early detection, preparedness, flexible funding mechanisms etc.Humanitarian action in the digital eraHow do we keep our promise to the people we serve when it comes to managing highly sensitive digital data? How do we adopt and maintain a principled approach in the digital era and ensure we “do no digital harm”? The impact of digital transformation, both in terms of the potential increase in the scale and scope of humanitarian action and related risks will be open for discussion.International humanitarian law: facing up to the challenges of modern warfareAre the laws of war as we know them up to the challenges posed by new technologies of war? Should we let a machine autonomously act to end a life? Key questions on the table include how to address an increase in urban warfare and its toll on civilians, how to influence behaviour to enhance respect for IHL and how IHL can protect civilians from the different risks they face depending on their gender, age and identity.Key media opportunities Q&A session with IFRC President about current humanitarian priorities and emergenciesFrancesco Rocca, President of IFRC, will participate in a Q&A session about current humanitarian priorities and emergencies, including Syria, Venezuela, migration and the humanitarian consequences of climate change. The Q&A session will take place on 2 December at 12:30 in Press Room 1, Palais des Nations, Geneva.Speed dating event with thematic & regional expertsThe ICRC and IFRC are hosting a speed dating event at ICRC’s Humanitarium, in Geneva, on 5 December, from 09:00 to 10:30. The event will bring together journalists and Red Cross Red Crescent experts on the main issues covered at the Statutory Meetings.International Volunteers Day: Photo and interview opportunities with young volunteers and leaders from across the globeFor the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, young people are our most valuable resource and asset, as they represent more than a half of our 13,7 million active volunteers globally and are a driving force of our humanitarian assistance locally. On 4 December, 167 youth delegates from 140 National Societies will gather in Geneva for a historic Youth Commission election, where candidates will be elected by their peers, young leaders from National Societies.Strategy 2030IFRC’s ambitious roadmap for its local and global humanitarian action – Strategy 2030 – will place climate change and environmental crises at the top of a list of five global challenges that must be addressed in the coming decade. The Strategy will be announced on 5 December by IFRC press release.Escape room: travel back in timeJournalists are invited to participate in an immersive experience at the CICG from 5 to 7 December. When they enter, they are in 2030 and the situation is bleak. They are given the chance to travel back in time to solve today’s global challenges and avoid a pessimistic scenario.‘100 ideas, 100 challenges’ youth competitionThe six winners of the global ‘100 years, 100 challenges’ youth competition will pitch their ideas to National Societies on 6 December from 11:15 to 12:00. From a social inclusion programme for transgender people in Pakistan to an experimental artists’ collective in Colombia to raise awareness about violence and inequality, nothing is impossible for these young people from around the globe.COP 25 and IC 33: Two communities, two conferences, one ambitionOn 10 December from 13:00 to 14:00 two high-level panel discussions – one in Geneva and one in Madrid – will host a live dialogue about climate adaptationHumanitarian TrailFrom 4 to 12 December, the general public and schools have the unique opportunity to  explore the Humanitarian Trail - an interactive visit through Geneva’s historical sites and special events that highlight the Red Cross Red Crescent journey from its origins to present and future challenges.Immersive experience on Place des NationsFrom 5 to 12 December, the exhibition Humanitarian Crises and Digital Dilemmas will offer a unique interactive experience, giving visitors the chance to see how digital technologies, from social networks to biometrics and connectivity, are transforming humanitarian crisis from the perspective of the people affected by them.For media accreditation to the conference, please contact: Benoît Carpentier, +41 79 213 24 13, [email protected] Vaessen, +41 79 405 77 50, [email protected]

Manila / Kuala Lumpur, 5 November 2019 – More than 180,000 people are affected with many families requiring humanitarian assistance after a series of powerful earthquakes, struck Cotabato province in Mindanao, Philippines. IFRC Philippines Head of Country Office Chris Staines said: “People in the affected communities were already vulnerable before the earthquakes and now they are in urgent need of shelter, safe drinking water and food. The earthquakes’ epicentres were recorded near Tulunan, Cotabato, but many locations in this mountainous area have been affected. Because access is difficult we expect the full extent of the damage to become clearer in the coming days as we reach more communities. The Red Cross is scaling up our efforts to ensure no one is left behind.” Mindanao has been shaken by three consecutive earthquakes within the same location on 16, 29 and 31 October 2019, each compounding the effect of the previous one. According to authorities, the death toll from the last two earthquakes is now at 21 with over 400 people injured and an estimated more than 35,000 people displaced. Many families have been left homeless due to the destruction of their houses The Philippine Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are appealing for 1.85 million Swiss francs. Through this appeal, Red Cross staff and volunteers will support approximately 35,500 people with health, water sanitation and hygiene, livelihoods, shelter and cash grants. The affected communities will also receive immediate first aid and psychosocial support. Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said: “People are left anxious by the earthquakes and the ongoing aftershocks. Families do not feel safe returning to their homes. Since the first earthquake hit, our volunteers and staff have been working around the clock to provide not only relief items and safe drinking water, but also psychosocial support to help families cope with their fears.”

Manila / Kuala Lumpur, 25 October 2019 – The Philippine Red Cross is more than tripling the number of children it aims to vaccinate in a door-to-door polio vaccination campaign, the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said today. On 1 October 2019, the Red Cross announced support for a Department of Health campaign by activating volunteers in parts of Mindanao and Metro Manila to vaccinate 30,000 children in the hardest-to-reach communities. In fact, the Philippine Red Cross has reached nearly 60,000 children. Today, the target was increased to 100,000. Announcing the increase, Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon said: “We’re particularly worried about children under five in urban slums, rural areas, migrant families and indigenous communities who have missed out on life-saving vaccinations. It’s simply not right that these children are at risk of death or lifelong disability in the 21st century. The tripling of our target reflects the commitment of Red Cross volunteers and staff, who are literally climbing mountains and crossing rivers to ensure no child is left behind. What’s more, they will do this again in a month when children need a booster, and a month after that too.” Apart from low immunization rates, factors that contribute to the spread of polio, dengue and measles include low health literacy, unsafe water, poor sanitation, poor living conditions, high rates of chronic childhood malnutrition and poor access to healthcare. The Red Cross is also planning to reach 1 million people with life-saving health, hygiene and sanitation information. IFRC Philippines Head of Country Office Chris Staines said: “The current outbreaks of measles and polio in the Philippines are a serious risk. There is a real danger that the situation could return these preventable diseases to being endemic. While mass immunization right now, successfully implemented, will stop the transmission, we need routine vaccination for several years to bring these diseases under control.” Polio, measles and dengue fever have featured at the 16th annual South-East Asia Red Cross and Red Crescent leaders’ meeting in Manila, attended by Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam, and IFRC and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Geneva 04 October 2019--The massive mental health needs of people affected by humanitarian emergencies are not being addressed, warned leaders of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). People living in conflict-affected areas are three times more likely than the general population to suffer from conditions such as depression and anxiety, to post-traumatic stress disorder. From experience Red Cross says this can be similarly true for other humanitarian crises like disasters, and health emergencies. “These mental health issues, if left untreated, create hidden wounds which have far reaching and long term negative impacts for people and communities dealing with humanitarian emergencies,” said Elhadj As Sy, IFRC’s Secretary General, speaking ahead of a conference on mental health and psychosocial support in crisis situations in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. “Supporting people’s mental health and psychosocial support can be lifesaving in times of disasters, war and violence, just as much as stemming the bleeding from a deep wound or having clean water. Hidden wounds are no less dangerous to a person’s well-being and ability to thrive during crisis,” said ICRC’s Director General Yves Daccord. But in low- and middle-income countries where most humanitarian crises occur, mental health and psychosocial support services are underprioritized and underfunded with an average of two mental health workers per 100,000 people. As a result, two thirds of people with severe mental health conditions in these countries go without any treatment. This lack of treatment also increases stigma, exclusion and discrimination. The consequences of which can severely impact a person’s safety, dignity, and health and further undermine the ability of communities and states to appropriately address mental health and psychosocial challenges. “Investing in mental health and psychosocial support saves lives and must be integrated into all humanitarian responses.” said IFRC’s Elhadj As Sy. “We know that early interventions can prevent distress from developing into more severe mental health conditions which can have much more serious and long-term consequences.” Mental health and psychosocial support in post-conflict environments is highly effective: every $1 invested in treatment for depression can lead to a $5 return in better health. Community-based volunteers and trained professional workforces are critical to bridging this resource gap. The ICRC and IFRC are calling for increased recognition of the mental health consequences of humanitarian crises and greater investment in the critical role of local actors to fill existing gaps in providing mental health and psychosocial services during humanitarian crises. “We see more and more invisible suffering today. Mental health and psychosocial support must therefore be a priority in humanitarian emergencies and taken as seriously as physical health,” said ICRC’s Yves Daccord.

New York, 26 September 2019 – The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today unveiled a major new initiative to combat cholera and other diarrheal diseases in 29 member countries of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).Announced at the UNGA Financing for Development Dialogues by H.E. The Honorable Minister of Economy, Malaysia, Mohamed Azmin, the One WASH Fund will attempt to cut cholera deaths by 90 per cent and improve the lives of 5 million people in 29 cholera affected OIC member countries.The One WASH Fund is a scalable outcome fund model that uses an innovative financing mechanism designed to attract new philanthropic and private investor capital by combining Islamic social finance contributions with traditional humanitarian donor financing. This Fund structure will then be pre-funded through the issuance of an Islamic bond (Sukuk) enabling it to operate at multi-million-dollar scale.With the establishment of the fund, IsDB and IFRC are collaborating with key private sector and government partners including philanthropic capital contributors. Implementation of the programme is expected to start in July 2020.IsDB President, Dr Bandar Hajjar, said:“We believe this alternative development financing approach can demonstrate the transformative value of Islamic Social Finance blended with other sources of finance while unlocking private capital and ensuring markets support overall development in countries. We count on the leadership and partnership of the OIC Member Countries as water, sanitation and health are strategic areas in line with Islamic principles intended for sustained impact.”IFRC Secretary General, Elhadj As Sy, said: “Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals will require new approaches to programming. It will also require us to look beyond traditional humanitarian and development financing approaches. Every 10 seconds someone is infected with cholera."This is a tragedy, not least because cholera is a disease that can be easily prevented. Lack of funding has always been a major issue, but this new initiative will help overcome that and ensure that we can finally end cholera. It is, in many ways, a complete game changer."One WASH will directly and measurably contribute to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), SDG5 (Gender Equality), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Indonesia: 57,000 people homeless one year after Sulawesi earthquakes, tsunami and liquefaction Palu /Kuala Lumpur, 23 September 2019 – One year after earthquakes, a tsunami and liquefaction struck Sulawesi in Indonesia on 28 September 2018, an estimated 57,000 people remain homeless, the Indonesian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said today. The triple disaster killed more than 4,300 people and damaged or destroyed more than 103,000 houses. One year on, 14,300 households (57,000 people)[1], who lost their homes and farms to liquefaction are still living in temporary accommodation, unsure where and when they can rebuild. Indonesian Red Cross or Palang Merah Indonesia Head of Disaster Management Arifin M. Hadi said: “In the past year, Indonesian Red Cross staff and volunteers have brought emergency items like food, hygiene kits, mosquito nets and blankets to 108,000 people, and drinking water to 280,000 people. We will now shift our focus on creating a more resilient community, training people to build better, stronger homes, providing permanent water sources, rebuilding health centres and helping people restore their incomes by providing livestock or boats. IFRC Indonesia Head of Country Office, Jan Gelfand said: “We are hoping the government will redouble their efforts to identify settlement areas and help thousands of families still living in camps and temporary shelters build permanent homes with infrastructure that is more resilient to future disasters. Families still need our help to move on after this disaster.” The Indonesian Red Cross, with the support of IFRC and partners, will focus on the long-term recovery needs of nearly 90,000 people in 24 of the worst-hit communities in Sulawesi through to 2021. Assistance includes awareness campaigns on health and hygiene, training to build safer houses, disaster preparedness and help to restart businesses or find new jobs. [1] Source: Unpublished report from the Global Shelter Cluster, Indonesia https://www.sheltercluster.org/hub/sulawesi-tsunamieq. Please contact [email protected] for a copy of the file.

Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 6 September 2019 – As many as 5.3 million people in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) are potentially at risk as Typhoon Lingling works its way towards the country’s south west [1]. Mohamed Babiker, Head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Country Office in DPRK, said: “We are concerned about the potentially serious impact that Typhoon Lingling could have when it makes landfall on Saturday. Last year, despite not even making landfall, typhoon Soulik displaced nearly 60,000 people.” “Strong winds, flash floods and landslides pose risk of serious injury and loss of life, damage to homes and infrastructure and destruction of vital crops. And Typhoon Lingling represents just the latest in a long line of challenges that communities in DPR Korea face, including severe food shortages as a result of ongoing drought.” DPRK Red Cross has activated its early warning and preparedness systems and will, with the help of its extensive network of volunteers, issue storm alerts to potentially affected communities in North and South Hwanghae, as well as up to 4-5 additional provinces based on the forecasts. Red Cross volunteers and national and provincial disaster response teams are on standby to help with search and rescue, evacuation, first aid, distribution of emergency items and activities to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases. To support this preparedness work, IFRC has released 56,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to help mobilize emergency supplies such as tarpaulins, cooking sets, quilts, hygiene kits, water containers, water purification tablets and shelter tools. These items are in strategically-placed warehouses throughout the country and can be quickly dispatched as needed. [1] Source: Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

Dhaka/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 31 July 2019 – Continued heavy rainfalls in Bangladesh combined with severe flooding in neighbouring countries have led to the highest river water levels in a century putting 7.6 million people at risk of hunger and disease. Floods have left hundreds of thousands stranded in northern and north-eastern parts of the country and damaged more than 600,000 homes. Families are forced to live in unsanitary conditions and lack safe drinking water and adequate shelter, raising fears of wide-spread disease outbreaks. Communities are also reporting food shortages as more than 160,000 hectares of farmland have been damaged. Azmat Ulla, the Head of International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Bangladesh Office said: “When I was in Bogura district this week, families who lost their homes and are now camping on road embankments told me they desperately need food, water and healthcare. Others said they have two crops a year. With the loss of one, they worry about feeding their families in the coming months. More floods are expected, so the situation is dire.” IFRC has launched anemergency appeal for nearly 7 million Swiss francs (7 million US dollars / 6.4 million euros) to support the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society in reaching 150,000 people affected by the floods in the worst-hit districts with food, clean water, hygiene items, tarpaulins and tools, and health care services. Families will also be supported in rebuilding their livelihoods. Md. Feroz Salah Uddin, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said: “More than 775 of our volunteers and staff are already in the flood-affected communities providing critical relief supplies to thousands of people but we urgently need to reach many more. Every day we hear of more families being at risk -- sleeping out in the open or in makeshift shelter, not having enough food and drinking water, and contracting diseases such as pneumonia and skin infections.”

Manila/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 26 July 2019 – Urgent action is needed to contain a dengue outbreak in the Philippines as cases continue to soar and an unprecedented nationwide emergency alert is issued, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Philippine Red Cross are warning. The Philippines is experiencing an alarming dengue outbreak with more than 115,000 cases reported since the beginning of the year – 85 per cent more than during the same period in 2018. To date, dengue has already led to 491 deaths, 30 per cent of them children between the ages of 5 and 9. The significant spike in dengue is particularly alarming as the monsoon season is only starting in the country. Dengue cases peak during and after monsoon rains, raising concerns that a severe epidemic may threaten the nation in the coming months. The Philippine Red Cross is supporting government efforts to stem the outbreak. Philippines Red Cross Chairman and CEO, Richard Gordon said: “Dengue is one of the fastest spreading viral diseases and children are particularly vulnerable. Tens of thousands of patients are streaming into overcrowded hospitals. Our 2 million volunteers across the country are in the communities raising awareness about preventing infections and when to seek treatment, organising clean-up drives for mosquito breeding sites and supporting overcrowded hospitals.” The IFRC has released nearly 150,000 Swiss francs (7.2 million Philippine peso) from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to support the Philippine Red Cross scale up dengue treatment tents at ten hospitals and provide volunteer nursing staff to care for up to 15,000 patients and their family members. The Red Cross is targeting 300,000 people in at-risk communities with critical information on getting early treatment. Chris Staines, the Head of IFRC’s Philippines office said: “We need to work together to save lives and contain the outbreak which we fear will worsen during the monsoon. Dengue can be stopped in its tracks, but families need to protect themselves from mosquito bites and seek medical treatment if they experience any symptoms such as high fever, headaches, nausea and joint pains.” The current spike in dengue infections comes at the same time as the Philippines continues to deal with a deadly measles outbreak that has stretched healthcare capacities across the country. Elsewhere in South-East Asia, Red Cross teams in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam are also responding to spiking dengue cases.

Geneva, 28 June 2019--The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) will press for a greater focus on protecting the world’s vulnerable from the impacts of climate change during the Abu Dhabi Climate Meeting (30 June-1 July 2019). Mr Elhadj As Sy will speak on the experience of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers around the world who, every day, see the creeping and destructive reality of climate change, especially in already vulnerable communities. Mr Sy is a Commissioner on the Global Commission on Adaptation, where he is leading an initiative on preventing extreme weather events from becoming disasters. He can also speak on: The need for governments to dramatically and urgently increase investment in adaptation measures designed to protect and support the most vulnerable. The first impacts of climate change are already being experienced by the world’s poorest and most at-risk communities: this is where a lot of money and political will needs to be targeted. The emergence of heatwaves as a deadly threat for developed AND developing countries. This week’s heatwave in Europe is an example of the world we can expect, and cities the world over need to take steps now to ensure that the most vulnerable, including older people, the sick, the very young and people who are socially isolated are protected and supported.

Vancouver/Geneva, 31 May 2019 – The global head of the world’s largest humanitarian network will highlight the deadly consequences of gender inequality in the wake of disasters and conflicts, during a high-profile plenary session at the Women Deliver Conference. Elhadj As Sy, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), will take part in a plenary session entitled The Power of Lift: Stepping up to use power for good, on Wednesday 5 June. He will call for a major shift in power dynamics during humanitarian emergencies by involving more women in leading, planning, and implementing emergency response operations. He will also highlight the work being done by women across the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in humanitarian response. Mr Sy is available for interviews between 3-5 June 2019. He can also speak on a range of humanitarian issues, including the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where women and girls account for roughly 60 percent of those infected.

Buenos Aires/Panama/Geneva, 17 May 2018 – Red Cross leaders from across the Americas and around the world are gathering in Buenos Aires from 21-23 May for the 21st Inter-American Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).The conference will involve leaders and representatives from the 35 Red Cross societies of the Americas, as well as global IFRC figures. Participants will explore a range of issues, including: the rising needs of vulnerable migrants across the region, the increasing impacts of climate change, the Red Cross response to humanitarian crises, the centenary of the founding of IFRC – the world’s largest humanitarian network.Media opportunitiesRed Cross spokespeople are available to speak on all topics related to the conference, as well as on issues of humanitarian concern. Spokespeople include: Francesco Rocca, President of IFRC (Languages: Spanish/English/Italian Diego Tipping: President of the Argentine Red Cross (Languages: Spanish). Miguel Villaroel: IFRC Vice-president for the Americas (Languages: English/Spanish).Other Red Cross experts and leaders are also available on request.

Beijing/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 13 May 2019 – Early seasonal drought in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) could exacerbate hunger, malnutrition and health problems for thousands of children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older people and the chronically ill. The drought, which started in early spring after months of unusually erratic weather, is harming crops that should be harvested in June and September. The drought follows a lean 2018 where food production was 12 per cent below the previous year and the lowest in a decade. In all, an estimated 10.1 million people (40 per cent of the population) are in need of urgent food assistance – a situation that this drought could only worsen. Head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) country office in DPRK, Mohamed Babiker, said: “We are particularly concerned about the impact that this early drought will have on children and adults who are already struggling to survive. Even before this drought, one in five children under five years old was stunted because of poor nutrition. We are concerned that these children will not be able to cope with further stress on their bodies.” The worst affects of the drought will only be seen in the coming months. However, the IFRC and the DPRK Red Cross are already expanding programmes to help at-risk and highly vulnerable communities to mitigate any food shortages. The IFRC has released about 77,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to bolster national Red Cross efforts to help 22,000 people. The DPRK Red Cross will use this money to deploy water pumps so drought-affected communities can irrigate their crops. This approach was first successfully trialled during a heatwave in 2018. In addition, the Red Cross is running about 100 community greenhouses to grow vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers, chilis and mushrooms all year round. Volunteers are also looking to pilot household greenhouses to ensure families can eat green vegetables all year round. Speaking about the causes of the current drought and the broader prevailing food crisis, IFRC’s disaster risk management delegate, Daniel Wallinder, said: “It seems clear, looking back at data collected over the past 50 years, that the current climate issues in DPRK are strongly related to climate change. What we see now is lack of snow during the winter leaving crops exposed to freezing temperatures as well as prolonged dry spells due to rainfall that is lower and less predictable. For people who are living on the margins, these changes can be devastating.”

Geneva, 8 May 2019 – On World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2019, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is celebrating the nearly 14 million Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers around the world who provide a lifeline to countless communities in need.In a statement sent to the volunteers, staff and leaders of the world’s 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, IFRC President, Francesco Rocca, wrote:“I want to thank all our volunteers and staff who are working around the clock to reach people in need and to alleviate their suffering. You are the last mile of humanitarian aid everywhere in the world.“You are the proof that local actors are crucial to saving lives, to preparing communities, to working faster and better in every single crisis in the world.”This year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day comes as volunteers around the world respond to a range of emergencies and crises. For example, volunteers in Mozambique are assisting thousands of families affected by Cyclone Idai and, more recently, by Cyclone Kenneth.In Venezuela, Red Cross volunteers are supporting communities, hospitals and health clinics across the country, providing needed medicines, medical supplies, equipment and care. In Afghanistan, Red Crescent volunteers are scaling up support to people who, in a matter of months, have suffered droughts and then floods.World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day is held on 8 May – the birthday of the founder of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, Henry Dunant. Each year, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies use the day to highlight the unique role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in their countries.This year, IFRC has launched a global digital campaign to celebrate World Red and Cross Red Crescent Day. Hundreds of submissions that reflect the diversity and the power of the IFRC network have been received so far from volunteers and staff in Kiribati, Yemen, Venezuela, Mali, Lithuania, and dozens of other countries. These contributions will be showcased across 8 May via an unprecedented Twitter marathon.This year’s celebration also coincides with the centenary of the founding of IFRC on 5 May 1919 by the American, British, French, Italian and Japanese Red Cross Societies.

Cannes/Geneva, 11 April 2019— An event billed as “the first ever humanitarian COP” will take place in Cannes, France next week to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).Organized by the French Red Cross Society, the two-day “World Conference on Health and Climate Change”, will bring together 400 international and field experts to take stock of latest scientific research, and to explore innovative solutions designed to meet rising public health challenges resulting from climate change.Changes to the climate have already started impacting human health, and the projections are alarming. Even if the COP21 Paris Agreement’s ambitions for climate change are met and the planet warms by no more than 2°C, there will still be consequences – some of them severe – for human health. Every country in the world, from north to south, is affected by this issue and must adapt, not least to protect their most vulnerable citizens.A full programme and list of speakers available at: worldconference.croix-rouge.fr1919-2019: 100 years of humanitarian actionThe World Conference is being held to mark the 100th anniversary of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the world’s largest humanitarian network. The IFRC, known then as the League of Red Cross Societies, was created on 5 May 1919 by the American, British, Italian, Japanese and French Red Cross societies.A month before, from 1 April to 11 April 1919, the same Red Cross societies gathered at a medical conference in Cannes to decide on how they could coordinate their public health actions and pool the resources of national Red Cross ‘Committees’ more effectively in time of peace.Useful information:Dates: Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 April 2019Location: Théâtre Croisette in Cannes, historic location of the 1919 Medical ConferenceTranslations: French and English

Palu/Kuala Lumpur, 25 March 2019 – Six months after Sulawesi was hit by a powerful and shallow earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction, survivors face a painfully slow and complex recovery. On 28 September 2018, a series of strong earthquakes struck Central Sulawesi, the worst a shallow, magnitude 7.4. The earthquake triggered tsunami waves of up to three metres high. The tsunami in turn caused landslides and liquefaction that swallowed entire villages whole. In all, the triple disaster killed 4,340 people.[1] Within minutes, trained staff and volunteers from the Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia or PMI) were in action, leading search and rescue efforts and providing first aid and other life-saving help. In the six months since, a massive emergency response operation by the Red Cross, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), has reached 119,400 people, with assistance including healthcare for 13,300 people, 16 million litres of safe drinking water distributed to 69,400 people, emergency shelter tools distributed to 100,000 people, psychosocial support given to 13,000 people and 2,300 people helped to trace family members. Indonesian Red Cross Head of Disaster Management Arifin M. Hadi said: “This disaster was violent and unexpected and completely devastated communities right across Sulawesi. The response was driven by local organizations and expertise. Indonesian Red Cross volunteers from the affected areas were the first to respond, and they were backed up by the mobilization of 1,426 staff and volunteers from all over Indonesia. “Many of our own people were affected by the earthquake, tsunami and liquefaction but went into action to help others who were even worse off,” said Arifin M. Hadi. With the emergency phase now over, the long, complex recovery and rebuilding process has only just begun. As of 12 February, 173,000 people were still homeless,[2] many uncertain where they will be able to rebuild because their land has been swallowed by liquefaction or is at risk of future tsunamis. Aftershocks continue to strike fear even for people whose homes are undamaged. The triple disaster also robbed families of their income, destroying fishing boats and agricultural irrigation, damaging businesses that employed people. Despite the devastation, survivors speak of their determination to pick up the pieces of their lives. Suriyati, who goes by one name, and used to live in coastal town Sirenja, said: "When the disaster first happened, I was terrified, and left everything to God. But now survival mode has kicked in, and we're doing whatever we can to build our lives again. Some of my neighbours have begun small businesses to help make ends meet, as the earthquake and tsunami destroyed our farms." IFRC Indonesia Head of Country Jan Gelfand said: “It has only been six months since the catastrophe and recovery is understandably slow. We’ve seen from major disasters around the world that cities and communities take years to build but only seconds to destroy. How can you rebuild a coastline, city or community when large parts of it are simply swallowed by the earth? We will continue to stand by people over the next years as they recover and rebuild.” In December 2018, IFRC revised its emergency appeal upwards to 38.9 million Swiss francs (38.6 million US dollars / 34 million euros) to support the Indonesian Red Cross to reach 167,000 people affected by disasters in Lombok, Sulawesi and the Sunda Straits. [1] https://bnpb.go.id/infografis-gempabumi-m74-tsunami-sulawesi-tengah [2] https://bnpb.go.id/infografis-gempabumi-m74-tsunami-sulawesi-tengah