Sudan

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Article

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]    

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Press release

Devastating floods displace huge swathes of the population across West and Central Africa

Nairobi/Geneva, 19 September 2024 – Heavy rains over the last few weeks have triggered massive flooding and devastation in West and Central Africa, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their destroyed homes in areas already suffering from food insecurity and conflict.Human-induced climate change “is likely to have significantly worsened the situation”, according to scientists at the Red Cross Climate Centre.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched emergency appeals in Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to respond to the catastrophic flooding.Mohammed Mukhier, IFRC Regional Director for Africa says:“Torrential rains have triggered destructive floods that have left millions in dire need of assistance. The floods are testament to climate crisis damage in Africa and how it's affecting vulnerable communities. We need an urgent response now and in the coming weeks with more flooding expected.”In Chad, where an estimated 1.5 million people have been affected, initial assessments point to the destruction of over 164,000 homes, with all 23 provinces of the country involved, and Tandjile, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Logone and Lac among the most afflicted provinces. Over 259,000 hectares of croplands have been wiped out, heightening the risk of food shortages in a country already grappling with chronic food insecurity. With the continuing rise of floodwaters, the humanitarian situation in Chad could deteriorate further.The country has faced increasingly severe floods in recent years, part of a broader pattern of worsening weather in the Sahel due to climate change. Once expected every 10 years, torrential rains now occur every 2 to 5 years. Khalal Sennousi Ahmat, President of the Chad Red Cross, says:“The scenes following the floods in Chad are heartbreaking. Entire villages have been left under water and families have lost everything. The numbers of people affected are expected to rise as the rains continue. Our team’s focus now is to provide shelter, food and medical care, but we need more resources given the scale of the devastation.”A growing concern is the stagnant water that exacerbates unsanitary conditions and risks outbreaks of waterborne disease. Safe drinking water, health services, and sanitation facilities are desperately needed to prevent the spread of deadly diseases such as cholera and malaria.Chad is not alone in suffering the extreme effects of the climate crisis, with many other West and Central African countries experiencing severe weather. Since July, South Sudan has been battling heavy floods, with over 735,000 people affected across 38 counties. Worst-hit areas include Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, and Unity, where homes, schools, and health facilities have been destroyed, displacing thousands. Projections indicate that up to 3.3 million people could be affected by October, making it the worst floods in South Sudan's history.Similarly, Nigeria has experienced severe flooding following continuous heavy rainfall, affecting over 1 million people across 18 states, including Borno, Adamawa, and Bayelsa. The Nigeria Red Cross is preparing life-saving assistance for 200,000 people, but this number is expected to double as the floods worsen.In Niger, the worst flooding in a decade has affected 842,000 people across all eight regions. The Niger Red Cross is providing a holistic response, including sanitation facilities, cash grants, climate adaptation strategies, and protection for vulnerable communities.In all the affected countries, Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are providing emergency shelter, food, clean water, sanitation facilities, mosquito nets and cash grants, but with many roads becoming inaccessible due to flooding, the response is a race against time.In addition to immediate relief, the IFRC is working with Red Cross teams in Chad, South Sudan, Niger and Nigeria on long-term resilience programmes and climate adaptation strategies. Efforts will focus on rebuilding homes with climate-resilient infrastructure, improving sanitation, and restoring agricultural capacity to safeguard food security and protect vulnerable communities.Dr Ben Adinoyi, IFRC Head of Delegation, Country Cluster Delegation for the Central African Republic and Chad: “These are not just one-time events. What we are witnessing is a growing, recurrent tragedy. This cycle of extreme weather is becoming more frequent due to the climate crisis. Beyond saving lives during this crisis, Red Cross is matching long-term climate resilience strategies to protect vulnerable families from climate shocks.”The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal for CHF 8 million to assist over 385,000 of the most vulnerable people across seven severely impacted provinces in Chad. In addition, the IFRC is initiating emergency appeals for Niger (CHF 8 million), and Nigeria (CHF 10 million) to support both immediate relief and long-term operational work. South Sudan is also scaling up their life-saving relief activities.As part of its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) for flood response, the IFRC has already contributed CHF 231,293 to Nigeria, CHF 1 million to Chad, CHF 309,523 to Niger, and CHF 943,271 to Sudan.For more information or to request an interview, contact: [email protected]  In Nairobi: Susan Nzisa Mbalu: +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland: +44 7535316633  

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Article

IFRC saddened by yet another killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer in East Darfur State, Sudan

The IFRC is deeply saddened to announce the tragic loss of Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteer, Mr Sabeil Ibrahim Adam on 26 August 2024. Sabeil lost his life while providing first aid services in Eldein town, East Darfur State. He was among the dedicated volunteers supporting El-Daein teaching hospital. Since the conflict in Sudan began in mid-April last year, eight volunteers from the Sudanese Red Crescent have tragically lost their lives. The IFRC extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, Sudanese Red Crescent Society, friends, and colleagues of Sabeil Ibrahim Adam. The protection of humanitarian workers is a fundamental obligation. We reiterate our call for the protection of humanitarian workers and implore all parties to respect international humanitarian law. The loss of our staff and volunteers underscores the risks faced by those delivering vital humanitarian assistance in conflict zones. 

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Article

IFRC saddened by the killing of two Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers in Sennar State, eastern Sudan

The IFRC is deeply saddened to confirm the deaths of two Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteers, Babiker Fadl Al-Mawli on 5 July 2024, and Aldow Jaber Ali on 12 July 2024.Both volunteers were tragically killed in the line of duty in Sennar State. Since the conflict in Sudan began in mid-April last year, the Sudanese Red Crescent has lost six volunteers.The IFRC extends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and SRCS colleagues of Babiker Fadl Al-Mawli and Aldow Jaber Ali. Protecting humanitarian workers is both a legal and moral obligation.We reiterate our call for the protection of humanitarian workers and urge all parties to respect international humanitarian law. The loss of our staff and volunteers is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by humanitarian workers in conflict zones.Visit our In memoriam page to homage their service and their sacrifice.

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Donation link

Sudan Crisis

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Donation link

Regional Population Movement - Sudan Crisis

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Press release

IFRC appeals for safe access to address growing needs of Sudanese refugees at Ethiopia-Sudan border

Addis Ababa/Nairobi/Geneva, 12 June 2024 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) urgently call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to thousands of vulnerable Sudanese refugees near the Metema border point in Ethiopia.Since late April 2023, the Metema and Kumruk entry points have seen people, including Ethiopian returnees, seeking refuge from the ongoing crisis in Sudan. Since the onset of the conflict, the Ethiopian Red Cross Society has been at the forefront of providing humanitarian assistance, delivering psychological first aid, emergency medical services, water, high-energy biscuits, and health promotion initiatives. However, operational, security, and resource challenges significantly hinder these efforts.“Despite our concerted efforts, major challenges persist, including safety and security threats, transport access issues, and insufficient supplies of food, water, and sanitation materials,” said Mohamed Mukhier, IFRC Regional Director for Africa. “These challenges impede our ability to provide the necessary support to the affected communities. Our staff and volunteers are ready and willing to provide assistance, but we need safe and unhindered humanitarian access to carry out our lifesaving work effectively.”Ethiopia now hosts over one million refugees, making it the second-largest refugee-hosting country in Africa, many of whom have fled brutal conflict, leaving everything behind, and are extremely traumatized. There is a need for more support to meet the mounting needs of the refugees, including potable water, food, non-food items, and health and wellbeing facilities at entry points and within the camps. Additionally, support is needed to address the concerns of those protesting for better and more humane conditions in the camps.Paula Fitzgerald, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation for Ethiopia & Djibouti, stressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “Without immediate and sustained support, their situation will worsen. We urgently need resources to improve living conditions for displaced people until a durable solution is found. We call on all parties to come together for the sake of humanity and urge global support for our emergency appeals to help affected communities cope with this crisis.”The IFRC renews its call for financial support, as the Sudan conflict remains one of the most underfunded operations globally. The Emergency Appeal to support the Sudan Red Crescent Society is underfunded, with only 18 percent of the required funds raised. Similarly, a regional population movement appeal to help National Societies in Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Libya support people displaced from Sudan is only 12 percent funded.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Nairobi: Susan Nzisa Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Mrinalini Santhanam, +41 76 381 50 06

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Article

Statement: IFRC mourns death of another Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer killed in the line of duty

With great sadness, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms the death of Bashir Shuaib, a volunteer with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS).Bashir was killed while on official first aid duties with the SRCS on 23 May. We send our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues.Bashir Shuaib is the third SRCS volunteer to have died while on duty over the last two months. His death brings to 21 the number of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed while on duty worldwide this year.The IFRC strongly condemns violence and demands humanitarian workers be respected and protected under all circumstances. They are #NotATarget.

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Article

Statement: IFRC condemns the killing of a Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms, with great sadness, the killing of Fadul Daw El-Bait Abdallah, a volunteer with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society. According to reports, Fadul Daw El-Bait Abdallah was shot on 11 May while working with his team to collect humanitarian data in the Abu Haraz area of south-eastern Sudan. He passed away on 12 May. A second volunteer was beaten during the incident.The IFRC strongly condemns this violence and asserts that humanitarian workers must be respected and protected under all circumstances. We extend our deepest condolences to Fadul’s family and colleagues.Since the beginning of the year, twenty IFRC network members have died globally, while performing their vital humanitarian duties. This violence must end. They are #NotATarget.

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Article

Statement: IFRC mourns the death of another Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer

With deep sorrow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms the death of Muhand AbdElrahman, the social welfare officer of the Dar Elsalam unit of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS).Muhand was shot and killed on 22 May when entering the SRCS office in Khartoum Sharg Elniel, where he was helping to coordinate other volunteers running an ongoing relief operation. We send our heartfelt condolences to Muhand AbdElrahman’s family and colleagues. Muhand AbdElrahman is the fourth SRCS volunteer to have died while on duty over the last two months, and the second in just twodays. His death brings to 22 the number of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed while on duty worldwide this year. The IFRC strongly condemns violence and demands humanitarian workers be respected and protected under all circumstances. They are #NotATarget.

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Article

Untold stories: Behind the headlines, hoping for the best while preparing for the worst

Since the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine in October 2023, the Egyptian Red Crescent has delivered nearly 18,000 truck loads of medical supplies, food, and other goods into Gaza. ThePalestine Red Crescent Society, meanwhile, continues to provide emergency health services and coordinate the receipt and delivery of the aid.The process has not always been smooth.Aid deliveries were often blocked or delayed. But ultimately, thousands of shipments were able to get through. The Egyptian Red Crescent’s ability to scale up rapidly and respond effectively is largely due to its experience with supporting thousands of people who fled violence in neighboring Sudan.“In the case of the Egyptian Red Crescent, there were many learnings taken from the response to the population movement from Sudan last April,”saysDr. Hosam Faysal, regional head of the IFRC’s Health, Disasters, Climate and Crises (HDCC) Unit in the MENA region. “The learnings were about what the logistics system requires in each case, and how to build it quickly and scale it according to the needs of the response”.But the crisis today in the Middle East is also posing many new challenges, according to Lotfy S. Gheith, head of operations of the Egyptian Red Crescent Society.“We are facing a very different crisis from previous ones,”Gheith says. “We are used to working in Gaza, but now the situation is unpredictable, and we do not know how situations can escalate from one moment to the next, as has been happening.“This operation is a challenge, because we are sending trucks with humanitarian aid, which we have increased significantly. But it is not enough for the great, urgent needs of the population.”The making of an emergency responseThis is one side of the humanitarian equation that is often not told. It’s the story of what is done behind the scenes, before a crisis, to ensure the response is effective because it fits the local situation, culture and dynamics.The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, renowned for its intricate geopolitical dynamics, vast and diverse areas and cultures, is also a region grappling with some of the world's most daunting humanitarian challenges.MENA National Societies operate within this complex and ever-evolving context, navigating a wide range of challenges that span from civil unrest and violence to extreme weather — such as heatwaves, droughts and flooding — as well as technological hazards like the massive explosion that rocked Beirut in 2020.Getting readyNone of this would be possible without prior preparation by the National Societies. In order to provide an effective response, National Societies need to work on their response mechanisms.This means training staff and volunteers, going through simulations, building the capacity around contingency planning, as well as looking into learnings that can be gathered from other emergencies.The Lebanese Red Cross, for example, has several overlapping crises to deal with: the consequences of the August 4, 2020 explosion, the internal economic crisis, the Syrian refugee crisis, and now the conflict in Gaza.About this latest crisis, the National Society already had the mandate from the authorities to provide emergency medical services. The National Society could then improve its readiness by prepositioning stocks, increasing the alert level within their own Emergency Medical Services stations, and mobilizing more staff and volunteers to be ready for deployment.“We saw how it paid off when the escalation started in the south and the Lebanese Red Cross was immediately ready to respond and provide support to the affected and displaced population,”says Faysal.“[The Lebanese Red Cross] was indeed the only trusted entity to access the south to evacuate the wounded,”he adds. “All this has been possible through contingency planning, coordination, and the availability of resources”.In the case of Syria, the National Society is developing different scenarios in the event of an escalation of the conflict. As the context in Syria is one of protracted crises, the Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society mainly envisions the work it will have to undertake in case there is a need to increase the evacuation of wounded or affected populations.Its contingency plan includes protective measures for staff and volunteers when accessing risk areas, preparing to have more ambulances ready for evacuations, and carrying out more maintenance work to ensure the availability of these ambulances.TheJordan Red Crescent , meanwhile, is aiming to prepare for the potential evacuation of wounded people from the West Bank to Jordan for medical treatment. The Jordan Red Crescent has its own hospital, so its aim is to enhance medical services in order to receive and accommodate those in need for treatment.A need for more investmentThe MENA region has also been hit recently by several disasters, such as the earthquakes in Syria and Morocco, which left thousands of people dead and wreaked devastation in both countries.In the case of Morocco, the National Society had been working for several years on preparedness activities, updating its contingency plans and conducting simulation exercises with local authorities, as well as having a very clear and defined contingency plan at the national level.“The National Society has a well-defined and comprehensive contingency plan, and that's not something we see very often,” says Faysal. “It is very impressive. It includes coordination with other authorities and how to activate [the plan] at the national level”.Nevertheless, it is still necessary to develop and maintain sustainable actions and resources to ensure that National Societies respond adequately to crises and disasters.“In general, unfortunately, we see that in most cases resources only will be available when the emergency is in media headlines,”, Faysal adds.In response to this concern, the IFRC developed a multi-year programme on earthquake preparedness for eight countries in the region, using a multi-hazard approach. But, says Faysal, they received no support from partners and donors.“So, when the earthquake hit, we were in the same situation as we were in Syria [following the earthquake there in February 2023], with no considerations for us to be better prepared”, he says. “This is not about putting pressure on partners, because it's not just about resources, but also about availability and technical engagement.”This is why it’s critical to continually highlight the need for preparation, behind the scenes, before disaster strikes. Krystell Santamaria,Disaster Risk Management Coordinator forIFRCMENA Region, puts it this way: “We must continue to invest in preparedness, to ensure that resources are sustainable: Preparedness efforts must be updated cyclically and maintained over time, to guarantee that National Societies can respond effectively to the growing crises in the Mena region. This is the challenge”.By Olivia Acosta

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Article

IFRC condemns killing of Sudanese Red Crescent volunteer while on duty

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) confirms the killing of Hossam El-Din Awad Mohamed Khalifa, a volunteer from the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, in Tuti Island, Khartoum State, on 10 April while on duty. Reports indicate that Hossam was fatally shot while he and other volunteers were providing first aid services during the Eid prayer. Eight others were injured in the incident.The IFRC strongly condemns this violence and asserts that healthcare workers must be respected and protected under all circumstances. We extend our deepest condolences to Hossam’s family and colleagues.Since the beginning of the year, nineteen IFRC network members have died while performing their vital humanitarian duties. This violence must end. They are #NotATarget.

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Article

Sudan: 'the most difficult year' after outbreak of conflict

One year after the outbreak of violence in Sudan that killed thousands of people and displaced as many as 8.6 million others, the volunteers and staff of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) are still working around the clock with limited resources to meet massive humanitarian needs.Wajdan Hassan Ahmed has been volunteering with her National Society for 16 years. She describes the 12 months following 15 April 2023 – when residents of the capital Khartoum woke to the terrifying sound of gunfire and explosions – as the most difficult year of her life.“The stories I experienced at the beginning of the war – the evacuations of people disfigured by bomb shrapnel, the stories of fathers who had lost their daughters, mothers who had lost their children, parents who lost their whole family… all these stories have stayed with me, and I cannot forget them,” she said.Psychosocial supportAs well as helping to evacuate people and bring them to safety far away from the fighting, Wajdan and her Red Crescent colleagues have been providing much-needed psychosocial support as well as food, water, and information.Many families were separated in the panic caused by the violence, and the resulting displacement within and outwith Sudan has pushed people far away from their loved ones. The Sudanese Red Crescent’s Restoring Family Links service is still helping to connect and reunite them.“We’re working hard to reunite families who have [been separated from] their children,” Wajdan said. “Some are aged seven to ten, and others of different ages.”Health clinicsSRCS teams have also been operating both fixed and mobile health clinics, helping at-risk people to get the care they need, wherever they may be. An estimated 80 per cent of Sudan’s healthcare facilities have stopped functioning since the crisis began, putting intense pressure on existing community-based Red Crescent health services.As a trusted neutral and impartial organization with thousands of highly trained volunteers and a permanent presence in communities in all 18 States, the SRCS has been at the forefront of the response during this past year. Around 4,000 volunteers have been directly involved in the emergency response.The IFRC had been working closely with SRCS and the ICRC long before the start of the conflict and will continue to do so for as long as people are in need. Many partner Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies have also given support, resources and personnel to enhance the response operations. These include National Societies from Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Spain, Sweden , Switzerland, and Türkiye.UnderfundedAnEmergency Appealwas launched by IFRC in support of the Sudan Red Crescent Society, although this appeal remains underfunded.A regional population movement appeal was also launched to help National Societies in Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia and Libya to support people displaced from Sudan.Both appeals are critical in providing aid and relief to those affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan and the surrounding region. More funding is needed to meet the urgent needs of these vulnerable populations.Call to actionThe IFRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent are calling upon all parties in Sudan to reflect on the humanitarian challenges that the conflict has posed. Despite the support that has been mobilized — around 10 per cent of the total required — nothing will be able to fill these gaps if the root causes are not addressed.The Red Cross and Red Crescent network calls upon all parties to come together for the sake of humanity and for the people, including children, who are suffering due to this ongoing conflict. And it calls on people around the world to support the critical emergency appeals that will help us ensure that affected communities and families can overcome this crisis, now entering its second year.

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Press release

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement urges support for conflict victims: 'We cannot let Sudan become another forgotten crisis'

8 April 2024, Port Sudan/Nairobi/Geneva - One year of conflict in Sudan is taking a devastating human toll. Over 8 million people have been displaced, and tens of thousands have been killed or wounded. The acute shortages of essential resources such as food, water and fuel, along with a seriously degraded healthcare system, are just some of the terrible consequences of the fighting.The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) is at the forefront of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement’s efforts to ensure that Sudanese civilians receive the humanitarian protection and assistance they desperately need.“We have mobilized 4,000 volunteers from across the country to provide first aid and help evacuate the wounded. Our staff and volunteers distribute food and essential items, provide psychological support, and search for the missing,” says Aida Al-Sayed Abdullah, Secretary-General of the SRCS. “We urge the international community to increase their support to help us meet the urgent needs of the communities trapped in the conflict. We cannot let Sudan become another forgotten crisis.”The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), and nine participating national societies (Danish Red Cross, German Red Cross, Netherlands Red Cross, Norwegian Red Cross, Qatar Red Crescent, Spanish Red Cross, Swedish Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, and Turkish Red Crescent) have been supporting and working alongside SRCS to protect and support people affected by the ongoing conflict and natural disasters across the country.SRCS, with its partners, has been pivotal in delivering essential medical aid to hospitals, offering relief to displaced people and their host communities, and reuniting families separated by turmoil—facilitating crucial phone conversations among separated family members. Through its key access across the country, SRCS has been able to provide the most needed support to thousands affected.Beyond immediate assistance, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement contribution to the response extends to financial andmaterial support to SRCS, alongside providing technical advice and strengthening capacity- building.The IFRC launched a Federation-wide Emergency Appeal seeking 60 million Swiss Francs to support the SRCS business continuity as well as to scale up its life-saving humanitarian response in the country. The IFRC has also launched a Regional Population Movement seeking 42 million Swiss Francs to support humanitarian responses and activities of the National Societies in the neighboring countries of Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic (CAR), Ethiopia and Libya.The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement calls on all state and non-state armed carriers involved in the conflict to follow their obligations under international humanitarian law, which is designed to protect ordinary people and those who can no longer fight. When homes, hospitals, and schools are damaged, and people who are not part of the fight are hurt, it not only causes immediate harm but also makes it much harder for communities to heal and come together after the conflict.The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is committed to providing protection and life-saving relief to the people suffering the horrors of the ongoing conflict. It urges, however, that more funding is needed to sustain the SRCS operations in the year ahead.For more information, please contact:Nawal Hassan, SRCS, Tel: +249 91 265 6872 [email protected] Nzisa Mbalu, IFRC Africa Regional Office, Tel: +254 733 827 654, [email protected] Hezam, ICRC Sudan, Tel: +249 100 999 477 , [email protected]

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Article

Joint statement: Millions at risk from cholera due to lack of clean water, soap and toilets, and shortage of cholera vaccine

Geneva/New York, 20 March 2024 – Immediate action is needed to stem an unprecedented multi-year upsurge in cholera cases worldwide, according to the International Coordinating Group (ICG) on Vaccine Provision. Actions include investing in access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene, testing and detecting outbreaks quickly, improving quality of and access to healthcare, and fast-tracking additional production of affordable oral cholera vaccine (OCV) doses to better prevent cases.The ICG manages the global cholera vaccine stockpile.The group includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and WHO. Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, finances the vaccine stockpile and the delivery of OCV. ICG members are calling for governments, donors, vaccine manufacturers, partners and communities to join in an urgent effort to halt and reverse the rise in cholera.Cholera has been surging globally since 2021, with the 473000 cases reported to WHO in 2022, more than double those reported in 2021.Preliminary data for 2023 reveal further increases, with over 700000 cases reported. Several of the outbreaks have high case fatality rates, exceeding the 1% threshold used as an indicator for early and adequate treatment of cholera patients. These trends are tragic given that cholera is a preventable and treatable disease and that cases had been declining in previous years. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that spreads through food and water contaminated with faeces containing the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.The rise in cholera is being driven by persistent gaps in access to safe water and sanitation. Although efforts are being made to close these gaps in places, in many others the gaps are growing, driven by climate-related factors, economic insecurity, conflict, and population displacement.Safely managed water and sanitation are prerequisites for stopping the transmission of cholera.Currently, the most severely impacted countries include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Now more than ever, countries must adopt a multisectoral response to fight cholera.Members of the ICG call on currently and potentially affected countries to take urgent steps to ensure their populations have access to clean water, hygiene and sanitation services, and the information critical to prevent cholera’s spread. The establishment of these services requires political will and investment at the country level.This includes creating capacity for early detection and response, enhanced disease detection, rapid access to treatment and care, and working closely with communities, including on risk communication and community engagement.The severe gap in the number of available vaccine doses, compared with the level of current need, puts unprecedented pressure on theglobal stockpile of vaccines. Between 2021 and 2023, more doses were requested for outbreak response than the entire previous decade.In October 2022, the ongoing vaccine shortage necessitated the ICG to recommend a single vaccine dose, down from a previous, long-standing two-dose regimen. Approximately 36 million doses were produced last year, while 14 affected countries registered a need for 72 million doses for a one-dose reactive strategy. These requests understate the true need. Preventive vaccination campaigns have had to be delayed to preserve doses for emergency outbreak control efforts, creating a vicious cycle. The change in strategy enabled available vaccines to protect more people and respond to more cholera outbreaks amid the ongoing supply shortfall, but a return to a two-dose regimen and a resumption of preventive vaccination would provide longer protection.Global production capacity in 2024 is forecast to be 37-50 million doses but will likely continue to be inadequate to serve the needs of millions of people directly affected by cholera.Only one manufacturer, EuBiologics, currently produces the vaccine; while the company is doing its utmost to maximize output, more doses are needed. Currently, new manufacturers are not expected to join the market before 2025; they must be fast-tracked. The same urgency and innovation that we saw for COVID-19 must be applied to cholera.Additional manufacturers planning to enter the market need to accelerate their efforts and make doses available at affordable prices.We appeal to vaccine manufacturers, governments, donors and partners to prioritize an urgent scale-up of vaccine production, and to invest in all the efforts needed to prevent and control cholera.About the ICGPress release on dosing strategyGlobal task force on cholera controlIFRC on choleraUNICEF: cholera is endangering children globallyWHO on the cholera upsurge, including monthly situation reportsMedia contactsIFRC Email: [email protected]: Lukas Nef,Mobile: +41792400790Email: [email protected]: Sarah Al Hattab, UNICEF in New YorkTelephone: +1 917-957-6536Email: [email protected] Media TeamEmail: [email protected]

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Islamic humanitarian giving

As the world’s largest network of locally based humanitarian organizations and volunteers, the IFRC is uniquely positioned to ensure your Zakat or Sadaqah donation reaches the people and communities who need it most. Fully accredited for receiving Zakat donations, we are based in communities alongside those we support. We act before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs of, and improve the lives of, vulnerable people—reaching millions every year.

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Press release

Africa's hunger crisis intensifies: IFRC warns against crisis fatigue

Geneva/Nairobi, 07 December 2023: In response to the growing hunger crisis across sub-Saharan Africa, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is amplifying its call to action amidst growing concerns of crisis fatigue. To this end, the IFRC has revised its funding appeal to 318 million Swiss Francs, now aiming to reach 18 countries. More than a year has passed since the initial launch of the Africa hunger crisis appeal, yet the needs continue to outpace support received. Originally set at 215 million Swiss Francs for 16 countries, only 59 million Swiss Francs has been raised. This humanitarian crisis, intensified by recurring droughts, El Niño-induced floods, conflicts and economic downturns, demands an immediate response to prevent widespread suffering, loss of lives and livelihoods. Around 157 million people in 35 countries across sub-Saharan Africa face acute food insecurity. Despite early warnings from African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, more funding and resources are needed. The Horn of Africa has been particularly hard-hit, enduring its longest dry spell on record with five consecutive dry seasons. In contrast, regions like eastern Kenya, parts of South Sudan, Somalia, Ethiopia, and Tanzania experienced heavier than usual rains during the October-December season, leading to flooding that further aggravated the situation for those already facing acute food insecurity. This mix of extreme weather conditions, along with ongoing conflicts, has led to varied harvest outcomes across the continent. Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are witnessing heart-wrenching conditions where many, including women and children, survive on less than one meal a day. Mohamed Omer Mukhier, Regional Director for Africa, emphasized the continued urgency: “In the past year, the dire need for resources in tackling the current hunger crisis has been evident with millions of people deprived of water, food and health services. While this crisis has intensified, it has been largely overshadowed by more visible crises over the past year. Considering its magnitude across the continent, we urgently call for expanded support to pursue our collective lifesaving and life-sustaining mobilization.” These countries are currently at the heart of the hunger crisis: Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies have been instrumental in providing life-saving assistance to millions affected by this crisis. So far, they have reached 1.53 million people. Most of the aid provided has been water and sanitation services, reaching over 1.2 million people. Additionally, over 725,000 people received cash assistance and over 450,000 received health and nutrition support. This underscores the IFRC's commitment to transitioning from immediate relief to sustainable, long-term resilience strategies in the region. The revised appeal will focus on improving agricultural practices, fostering peace and stability and creating economic opportunities. More information: For more details, visit the Africa Hunger Crisis appeal page. For audio-visual material, visit the IFRC newsroom. To request an interview, contact: [email protected] In Nairobi: Anne Macharia: +254 720 787 764 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06

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Article

In Sudan, safety of volunteers critical to addressing complex crisis of conflict and climate change

By Rita Nyaga IFRC senior communications officer In the early morning of Saturday, 15 April 2023, the city of Khartoum woke up to the sound of gunfire and explosions. Up to two million people fled the city and became displaced either within Sudan or in neighouring countries. As the conflict in Sudan enters its seventh month, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) continues to support many impacted by the fighting through a network of more than 2,000 volunteers in 18 branches spread across the country. Before fighting started, the socio-economic, political, and security situation in Sudan was already very tense, impacting the work of volunteers directly and indirectly. With the onset of conflict, the effort to keep them safe, secure and motivated became more critical than ever. “Safety is the matter of life and death,” says Nagat Farah Khairi, national volunteer coordinator for the SRCS. “ Ensuring the safety and security of staff and volunteers therefore is one of the SRCS’ top priorities.” “Fortunately, prior to the eruption of war in April 2023, three training courses were organized and attended by more than one hundred volunteers, who received and refreshed their knowledge on safety and security,” Nagat says. “That resulted in them being able to practice it and remain safe in the frontlines of crisis and to continue the provision of humanitarian support. " These are some of the reasons that volunteer safety and security was one of twelve thematic areas of the SRCS’s ongoing Transformation Process. A total of 111 volunteers attended the training from all states, which took place in May 2022 with support from the Swedish Red Cross. This training course also aimed to improve the quality and ensure accountability in all aspects of the SRCS’s work with volunteers, strengthening its ability to mobilize, recruit, protect, maintain, and develop its volunteers network. Six months on, work continues with insufficient funds Thus, by the time fighting begun, the lessons from this training could be put into practice. Meanwhile, just over six months into the conflict, SRCS volunteers continue to work to ease the plight of people impacted by the conflict. Many of the residents who were left behind in Khartoum and could not afford to leave, have now been locked down for months in a deteriorating situation. They suffer from significant reductions in essential goods and services such as health care, power, water and food. For those who consider leaving, families sometimes must choose whether to leave the elderly behind or remain with them. People are also being hit by the effects of erratic climate patterns that are also impacting many parts of Africa, resulting in widespread food insecurity, drought and sporadic flooding. In response, IFRC has launched two appeals to provide support for people now in very vulnerable situations. • An emergency appeal for CHF 60 million to support the SRCS in scaling up their life-saving activities within the country. • A regional appeal of CHF 42 million to support the humanitarian response in neighboring countries, including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Libya. Currently, these appeals are largely underfunded with only nine and eight percent respectively. The funds are critical to allowing the volunteers, who are now well experienced in working in this challenging environment, to carry out their essential work supporting communities. “The SRCS recognizes and values volunteering as a means of creating and supporting community members and who are available to offer support and work in the frontline during emergencies”, says Nagat. “At the SRCS, we value all volunteers for their individual contributions, enthusiasm, and commitment, as well as for the experience and skills they bring onboard”.

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Press release

Humanitarian needs in Sudan grow as funding gap widens, IFRC warns

Geneva/Nairobi/Port Sudan, 16 October 2023: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) issues an urgent call for international support as Sudan's humanitarian crisis intensifies, and the funding gap widens. Since the conflict started in Sudan six months ago, it has resulted in the displacement of over 5.8 million people within Sudan and neighboring countries. The ongoing conflict has resulted in many families dealing with the loss of loved ones, and others facing the challenges of separation. The fighting has also put immense strain on services, where people are grappling not only with severe food shortages but also limited access to clean water, inadequate healthcare and shelter. Despite logistical challenges, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society operates in all Sudanese states, of which over 2,000 are actively responding to the crisis. Additionally, outside Sudan, Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies are operating service centers at key border points, providing vital services such as psychosocial support, medication, first aid, food and family reunification assistance to those fleeing the conflict. Aida Elsayed, Secretary General of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society said: “Many partners have come in to give technical and financial support, but the needs now outweigh the support, and we humbly request more assistance. Many Sudanese residents have crossed into neighboring countries to start life afresh. Those that have remained continue to experience the pain of separation, sickness, lack of food and water, and much more. We must act urgently and get support to meet humanitarian needs and save as many lives as possible.” However, today, the humanitarian situation in Sudan is exacerbated by climate disasters, including floods and drought, as well as worsening economic conditions. In addition, there are health-related issues such as dengue and measles outbreaks, which are adding pressure to an already fragile healthcare sector. This further emphasizes the need for continued support. Farid Aiywar, IFRC Head of Delegation in Sudan, said: “Despite the logistical challenges that the Sudanese Red Crescent Society has experienced while implementing lifesaving activities in Sudan, the staff and volunteers are continuing to offer hope and support. They have been active within communities since the first day of the fighting.” "While we deeply appreciate the support we've garnered, both technical and financial, from our partners, the magnitude of the current needs far outstrips the assistance at hand. A significant number of Sudanese are relocating to neighboring countries in search of a fresh start. However, for those remaining, the challenges - from family separation to health concerns and shortage of basic necessities - are overwhelming. Our collective imperative is clear: to address these surging humanitarian needs and to ensure the dignity of those affected." IFRC launched two appeals to provide support for this crisis. A 60 million Swiss Francs appeal for Sudan to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Society in scaling up their life-saving activities within the country. Meanwhile, a regional appeal of 42 million Swiss Francs to support the humanitarian response in neighboring countries, including Egypt, Chad, South Sudan, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Libya. Currently, these appeals are largely underfunded with only 9 percent of the Sudan appeal and 8 percent of the population movement appeal raised. For more information For more information, visit the IFRC website to support the Sudan Emergency appeal and the Population Movement appeal. For interview requests, please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 4367 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 5006 In Nairobi: Rita Nyaga: +254 110 837154

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Press release

“From satellites to sandbags”: Putting water at the heart of climate action.

Geneva, 22 September 2023 -As proved so tragically in Libya last week, while water holds the key to life, alltoo often it kills. Whether – like in Derna - it’s too much water leading to floods, or too little water causing droughts, or polluted water resulting in health risks, addressing the dangers that water poses can save lives. As climate change intensifies these threats, there is an urgent need for action. That is why a new collaboration matters so much. With funding and support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’ is an ambitious partnership between the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), The Netherlands Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF). This collaboration will combine local knowledge and global technology to help communities understand and act on the water-related risks they face - before they become disasters. The programme is focused on supporting the countries of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan,and Uganda, which make up the Nile River basin. These countries are not only among the Least Developed Countries in the world but are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To ensure the implementation of this five-year partnership, the Government of the Netherlands has generously committed 52 million Swiss Francs (55 million euros). The aim of the ‘Water at the Heart’ collaboration is to address climate-related risks that too often fall between the cracks of most country-level water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) policies. It will focus on practical, locally-driven action to better anticipate disasters and prepare communities well in advance. It will also use the latest science and technology to monitor and forecast weather and water-related hazards. It furthermore invests in communications technologies to warn communities of what is coming and enable early action. As a result, this programme is a direct contribution to the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative. Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary General of the IFRC said: “Water is life. But too much or too little water can wreak havoc on people’s lives and homes. Almost three-quarters of all recent humanitarian disasters were water related. This initiative makes mitigation of the impact of such disasters an absolute priority. With thousands of IFRC network volunteers across South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, the IFRC network is uniquely positioned to deliver innovative and trusted local action. Through our partners, those actions can be informed by technology including the best forecasting and observation. This really is a ‘sandbags to satellites’ all-encompassing initiative.” Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the head of UNDRR said: “To save lives, lift people out of poverty and ensure that development gains are sustainable and irreversible, we must stop hazards from becoming disasters. Water at the Heart of Climate Action is a demonstration of the commitment of the Netherlands to helping some of the most vulnerable countries build their resilience in the face of climate change.” Maarten van Aalst, Director General of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) said: “As a national Meteorological Institute, we see the rapid increase in weather extremes in our changing climate, and we realize that we need partnerships all across society to make sure our warnings lead to early actions. The Netherlands’ vulnerability as a low-lying delta is significantly reduced by the power of good data and predictions, and the ability to act on that information — from satellites to sandbags. Water at the heart will strengthen our peers in the Global South to deliver similar services, and KNMI is proud to be supporting those efforts with peer support.” WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas said: “The majority of hazards are water-related, particularly floods and droughts. Climate change will further increase the frequency and severity of these events. End-to-end early warning systems are critical to save lives and minimize the impact of disasters. WMO is working with SOFF to close the basic weather and climate observation data gap and strengthen the foundational element of better data for better forecasts. Water at the Heart of Climate Action will make a tangible contribution to the Early Warnings for All initiative.” Paul Bekkers, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, WTO and other international organizations in Geneva, said: “Water should not be posing risks to vulnerable frontline communities! On the contrary, we can empower communities to transform water from a hazard into a valuable resource. By leveraging indigenous knowledge and investing in early warning systems. The Netherlands proudly supports this partnership that places the needs of local communities at the heart of water action!” REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ‘WATER AT THE HEART’ AT THE UN PRESS BRIEFING IN GENEVA FROM 10.30AM ON FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER. THE VIDEO OF THE BRIEFING WILL BE POSTED HERE SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. FOR INTERVIEWS WITH THOSE INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT VIA THE DETAILS BELOW IFRC - Andrew Thomas / [email protected] / +41763676587 CLIMATE CENTRE - Alex Wynter / [email protected] / +447717470855 WMO – Clare Nullis / [email protected] / +41797091397 SOFF - Pauline Trepczyk / [email protected] / +41796407857 UNDRR – Jeanette Elsworth / [email protected] / +41766911020 PERMAMENT REPRESENTATION OF THE NETHERLANDS - Joyce Langewen / [email protected] / +41794486110 NETHERLANDS RED CROSS - Bastiaan van Blokland / [email protected] / +31704455612

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Speech

IFRC Secretary General statement at UNGA High-level Ministerial Side event on Sudan

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, Our inaction today is extracting a heavy and unacceptable price on the people of Sudan. The IFRC has been working closely with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society before and since the onset of this conflict. We closely coordinate with ICRC. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society has more than 40,000 trained volunteers. It has access and reach to all 18 States and across both sides of the conflict to deliver life-saving assistance. IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal to help scale up response in support of Sudan and neighbouring countries. Sadly, the response to the appeal has been very poor and many of the services may have to stop in coming months. Excellencies – I join you all to call for an end to this inaction because the price Sudanese people are paying is inexcusable. First—let’s have the heart to demonstrate solidarity and commitment to all crises, irrespective of their global profile. Let’s have the moral courage to treat all people affected by crises equally as they all deserve our attention and resources. Second, let’s get the funding to the local actors that have the infrastructure and trained personnel on the ground. So far only a tiny portion of the USD 1.5 billion raised for this crisis has reached local actors. Investing in them maximises the impact of every dollar spent. Third, let’s ensure safety, access and non-politicization of humanitarian action. Sadly, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society has already lost 5 volunteers while on duty. The sacrifices and courage of these volunteers, these local actors form the backbone of our humanitarian efforts. They must be protected at all costs. Together in partnership and solidarity, we can substantially alter the trajectory of the current inaction in Sudan to make a lasting, positive difference. Thank you.

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Article

Sudan conflict: Sudanese Red Crescent Society and IFRC teams responding

Latest information Sudan: Complex emergency- our Emergency Appeal to support people inside Sudan Sudan crisis: Regional population movement- our Emergency Appeal to support people fleeing the conflict to neighbouring countries -- Fighting broke out in Marawei military base, Sudan on 15 April and then escalated rapidly in Khartoum and across the country. Reports indicate that hundreds of peoplehave lost their lives, with thousands more wounded and in need of urgent medical attention. Civilians are unable to access food or water because shops remain closed and their safety is not assured. Basic services like electricity and internet services have been disrupted. So far, hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced internally or fled across borders to seek safety in neighbouring countries. Medical personnel are struggling to access health facilities due to the fighting. Hospitals that are usually re-stocked every 2-3 days are now going weeks withoutsupplies. Some of the most urgent needs in hospitals are first aid kits, diesel for power generators, stretchers, and beds, as well as transportation for medical staff and volunteers. This latest flare-up of violence threatens to worsen a humanitarian crisis in a region that has suffered from years of violence, instability, economic hardship andfood insecurity. Our response so far More than 200 Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) volunteers have been deployed in Khartoum to offer first aid services and psychosocial support to those affected. Hundreds of volunteers have also been deployed in other states; North Darfur, South Darfur and Northern State (Merawi) to offer first aid services in hospitals. Volunteers are running a family reunification service for people who have been separated from their loved ones, offering psychosocial support to those who have lost contact. On 2 May we launched an Emergency Appeal for Sudanfor 30 million Swiss francsto scale-up the Sudanese Red Crescent Society's local, life-saving action in the country, in collaboration and coordination with members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The IFRC has also made the following funding allocations to National Societies through ourDisaster Response Emergency Fund(DREF): 475,320 Swiss francs to the Sudanese Red Crescent Societyto enable them to provide health services, psychosocial support, and search and rescue efforts across multiple states. Find out more. 137,369 Swiss francs to the Chad Red Cross to help them support the growing number of people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into Chad. Find out more. 305,832Swiss francs to the Egyptian Red Crescent to help them support the growing number of people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into Egypt.Find out more. 485,297 Swiss francs to the Ethiopian Red Crossto help them support the growing number of people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into Ethiopia. Find out more. 355,567 Swiss francs to the South Sudan Red Crossto help them support the growing number of people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into South Sudan. Find out more. 223,438 Swiss francs to the Central African Republic Red Cross to help themsupport the growing number of people fleeing the conflict and crossing the border into Central African Republic. Find out more. We continue to call on parties involved in the conflict to provide vital humanitarian space. With every single hour that the wounded and the sick cannot receive urgent assistance, the human toll continues to grow. Health-care facilities must be protected, and their personnel and transport must be given safe passage. It is an urgent priority for us to be able to reach these facilities and for maintenance teams to reach power and water stations. For more information English: Reuters article 'Red Cross warns of possible humanitarian disaster on Sudan-Chad border'(23 May) Audio report from IFRC Deputy Regional Director for Africa (17 May) Press release about an IFRC shipment of aid arriving in Port Sudan (16 May) Audio update from IFRC Africa Migration and Displacement Coordinator (5 May) SciDev.net article 'Sudan conflict leaves health system in 'total collapse'quotingIFRC Head of Country office for Sudan (27 April) Audio report from IFRC Operations Manager in Sudan, Mohamed El Amin Ibrahim (26 April) ABC interview with Farid Abdulkadir, IFRC Head of Country office for Sudan (25 April) Al Jazeera English interview with Farid Abdulkadir, IFRC Head of Country office for Sudan (20 April) Reuters article 'Almost impossible to provide aid in Sudanese capital', quotingIFRC Head of Country office for Sudan (April 18) Other languages: (Arabic) AlQAhera interview with IFRC MENA Regional Head of Disasters (28 April) (Arabic) AlQAhera interview with IFRC Head of Country office for Sudan (25 April) (Spanish) El Pais article quotingOsama Osman, Director of Communications at the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (19 April) Media enquiries If you are a journalist and would like more information or to request an interview about this emergency, please contact [email protected] Follow these Twitter accounts for the latest updates: IFRC Africa Regional Team: @IFRCAfrica Sudanese Red Crescent Society: @SRCS_SD Farid Abdulkadir, IFRC Head of Country office for Sudan: @FARID1969 @IFRC Donations If you would like to donate to help us support people affected by the conflict in Sudan, please click here. We are grateful for your valuable support. You can learn more about donating to the IFRC here.

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Article

Flooding around the world: Red Cross and Red Crescent teams responding

In recent weeks, floods have been hitting communities and making headlines around the world. Let’s take a look at some of the countries dealing with flooding and see how Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are helping people who have been affected. Slovenia Torrential rains over the past couple of weeks have affected two-thirds of Slovenia, prompting the country’s Prime Minister to declare it the ‘biggest natural disaster’ in the country’s history. The floods have killed three people and destroyed bridges, roads and houses - causing an estimated 500 million euros of damage. Volunteers from the Slovenian Red Cross have been delivering food, water and medicine to people affected by the floods – often on foot, since it’s the only way to reach many isolated communities. They’re also accompanying people staying in temporary shelters. The Czech Red Cross, Croatian Red Cross, Hungarian Red Cross and Polish Red Cross have all shown solidarity by sending additional food, water and hygiene items into the country to help with the response. Norway In Norway, Norwegian Red Cross volunteers are helping people affected Storm Hans, which is causing havoc across the south of the country – bringing extreme rain, landslides and floods. Volunteers are assisting with evacuations, running emergency ambulances, delivering food to isolated people and building sandbag flood defences. Many local branches remain on high alert, with more volunteers standing by to support as the situation develops. Sudan With millions reeling from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, communities across White Nile state have also now been impacted by heavy rains and flash floods. Torrents of water swept away and destroyed everything in their path. Families have lost homes and belongings, and many are resorting to sleeping outside in the open air. Shelter and clean water are needed urgently. Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers, who have already been responding to people’s needs during the conflict, are assessing the situation closely to provide additional support. China Torrential rains and floods have hit East Asia severely this summer, including areas of north, northeast and southern China. Beijing has seen the largest rainfall experienced in the city in the past 140 years. Disaster relief teams from the Red Cross Society of China are helping people in flood-stricken areas – supporting with clean-up and recovery, as well as distributing household items, quilts, waterproof jackets and more. Philippines In the Philippines, Typhoons Doksuri and Khanun (known locally as Egay and Falcon) have brought devastating floods. An estimated 313,000 people have been displaced by Doksuri alone, and more than 25 people have sadly lost their lives. Philippine Red Cross volunteers have been bringing relief supplies, meals, medical assistance and psychosocial support to affected communities. Afghanistan Flash floods and heavy rainfall have caused loss of life, injuries and severe damage to hundreds of households in Afghanistan – a country already experiencing complex humanitarian crises. Afghan Red Crescent and IFRC emergency teams are providing urgent relief – including blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulins and shelter kits. And mobile health teams are bringing medical services to remote communities. Iran In Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society teams have been responding to flooding in Sistan Balochistan, North Khorasan and West Azerbaijan provinces – deploying 35 response teams and providing support to hundreds of people. Volunteer teams have been rescuing people stranded in the flood waters, setting up temporary shelters, and providing essential items. Honduras In western Honduras, localized flooding caused by rainstorms hit the town of Copan Ruinas – damaging homes and local businesses. The local Honduran Red Cross branch responded quickly to distribute relief items to local people and help clear up debris and fallen trees. -- Thank you to all our National Societies for supporting communities affected by floods in recent weeks. If you'd like to learn more about floods and how you can prepare, click here.

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Article

Fleeing bombs and robbers: Lia’s search for safety in Sudan

“I was living peacefully in Khartoum before Ramadan. I’m a single mother, just with my children. I'm a director and scriptwriter, and had a new business. It was working very well and I was happy with my life until the war started,” she says. “The day of the war, our neighbour came and told us there were problems outside. We are used to riots – we get them every day. But suddenly he told us that everything was closed and no one was going out, they are bombing everywhere, it is a real war. “We heard constant bombing outside. The noise was so big, we were just hiding. The kids had so much fear. There was nothing in the shops to buy, and nothing in the house, so things were really very hard. We stayed one week in these conditions, then they said there was a ceasefire to give people time to get themselves a hiding place." At this point, Lia decided to travel with her children and other family members to Omdurman, a city on the west bank of the River Nile just northwest of Khartoum, to stay with father. “We saw a lot of things on the road. There were people with guns and weapons asking you if you were going to attack them. I told them we were not their enemy while trying to calm my children down, but they were very scared. “Omdurman was kind of safe. At first we heard some gunfire, but suddenly after two days they started to bomb really close to us and I was scared there was no safe place around Khartoum at all. I couldn’t sleep. I was just looking at the sky – seeing all the shooting planes, colours in the air, and bombs.” Lia and her family stayed in Omdurman for another few days until an armed robber broke in and stole from them while they were sleeping, at which point she decided it was too unsafe and time to head to the coast. She pleaded with her father to come with her, but he refused to leave his home. Before heading for safety, Lia needed to return to her house in Khartoum to collect her family’s identity documents in case they needed to leave the country. But this proved to be another ordeal. A taxi ride that would usually take 30 minutes stretched on for hours on end, as the taxi driver tried to find safe streets in Khartoum to avoid the violence. “We arrived at the house. It was so late. Everything was sadness and we cried altogether. We sat down in front of our house inside the gate until the morning because I couldn’t find the key. No one was sleeping. I was just holding my children, all of us together. “Morning came. The shooting stopped for a little while, and we had hope. But suddenly it started again. We broke our lock and took our papers and some of our things.” Lia and her children then began the long journey to Port Sudan, more than 800km away on the coast. “We managed to escape to the place where buses were leaving Khartoum. We were on the road for almost four days, stopping in different cities overnight, sleeping on the ground next to the bus. We knocked on strangers’ houses and they helped us because they knew in Khartoum there was war. They gave us kitchen equipment so I could cook and they let us use their bathroom. “It was tough. It was OK for me, but my children didn’t have this kind of life before. Nobody chooses to live that kind of life or chooses war, but we found ourselves in that situation.” Eventually they arrived at Port Sudan. Though less dangerous than Khartoum, Lia struggled to find a decent place for her family to stay. “I went to the first camp and it was so bad. We stayed there for just over a week but we couldn’t stay longer. My children were sick, so we moved to the beachside. I thought it wouldbe better but in the afternoon it was hellfire. You can’t stay directly under the sun. After that we were taken to another camp where we stayed for a month, then another camp. It’s a bit of a relief yet things are still bad. You cannot call camp a home. But at least this one compared to others is a bit better.” When asked how the Sudanese Red Crescent Society had helped her throughout her ordeal, and what difference it had made, Lia said: “The difference is clear. Red Crescent right from the beginning was always there to give a warm helping hand in times of need. “They brought us doctors and medicine and some food.” As to the future? “I thank god we are alive. Though we lost a lot of things, we are alive and breathing and my children are by my side. I just pray that one day things will get better again and I pray Khartoum will become safe again. “I don’t want to travel anymore. I want our lives and our country to be safe and all the worries to stop so we can continue to do the things we dream about.” -- More than 1,000 people have lost their lives since conflict broke out in Sudan on 15 April, and more than 12,000 have been injured in the fighting. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society, supported by the IFRC network, is continuing to provide much-needed humanitarian assistance despite security challenges in the country. To help people like Lia inside Sudan, please donate to our Emergency Appeal. You can find information about the work your donation will support here.

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Press release

Sudan: Red Cross Red Crescent continue to deliver aid despite security challenges

Khartoum/Nairobi/Cairo/Geneva, 6 July 2023 - As the armed conflict in Sudan enters its third month, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) has so far moved more than 1,520 tonnes of vital food, relief items and medical supplies into the country by ship and by air. To date, SRCS has received over 20 international flights and two shipments of aid. The SRCS, supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and partner National Societies, has been able to import and distribute food, essential household items and much needed medical supplies to the most vulnerable families across the country, including in Khartoum. This also includes supporting the distribution of 1,285 tonnes of food provided by the World Food Programme. SRCS Secretary General, Aida Elsayed, said: “With 40,000 volunteers in 18 branches around the country, SRCS is the largest humanitarian organization on the ground in Sudan. We are working across both sidesof the conflict in full compliance with Red Cross Red Crescent Fundamental Principles and Code of Conduct, including distributing food supplies into Khartoum where many people have been cut off for weeks.” With nearly 2 million people forced to flee the violence, many of them women and children, often with only what they can carry, the SRCS has provided much needed food and water, emergency shelter and medical supplies. This includes more than 40,000 meals and food parcels, 24,000 first aid and medical treatments, and 740 wounded persons evacuated. IFRC Regional Director for Africa, Mohammed Omer Mukhier, said: “In addition, we have three flights and five shipments of goods in the pipeline, which include cars for the teams and more food, non-food and health items. They are coming from donors including the IFRC, the Red Crescent of the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait Red Crescent, Egyptian Red Crescent, Spanish Red Cross, Swiss Red Cross, and China Red Cross. “But it’s not enough. Much more is required and more action needs to be taken to grant better access to humanitarian workers. Our appeals are desperately underfunded and as the conflict continues, more people are being forced to move to safety, often with very little to protect them from the approaching rainy season.” The IFRC has launched two Emergency Appeals in response to this crisis:one to support the Sudanese Red Crescent Society to help people inside Sudan andanother to support National Societies in six neighbouring countries welcoming people fleeing the conflict. Outside Sudan, the presence of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' staff and volunteers at border points is crucial. They are operating Humanitarian Service Pointsto provide people fleeing the conflict with essential services such as psychosocial support, first aid, food and support to make contact with family members left behind. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: InNairobi: Susan Cullinan, +61 457 527 197, [email protected] Rita Nyaga, +254 110 837 154,[email protected] InBeirut: Mey el Sayegh, +96176174468, [email protected] InGeneva: Anna Tuson, +41 79 895 6924, [email protected] Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367