04/05/2026 |

Article

The old and the (Re)new

By Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General and CEOOn 5 May 1919, in the aftermath of the First World War, a small group of National Red Cross Societies came together in France with a bold idea. They believed the compassion, solidarity and voluntary service shown during wartime should not disappear in peace. Instead, it should be organised, extended and made available wherever suffering occurred. That moment marked the birth of what would become the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.More than a century later, we mark that founding not only as a historical milestone, but as a reminder of why this network exists.The world we are operating in today is not the one imagined in 1919, nor even the one we knew a decade ago. Humanitarian needs continue to rise, while solidarity and funding are shrinking. Long‑standing assumptions about how international aid works are being tested, and in many cases overturned. Thingswill not go back to the way they were.This is the reality driving the IFRC’s Renewal, our strategic reorientation to double down on what we do best. Renewal is about becoming even more locally led, more focused, more accountable, and even better equipped to serve communities in environments often tougher today than they have ever been.But Renewal will only succeed if it is firmly anchored in ourFundamental Principles.In a world where humanitarian action is increasingly politicised, principles are sometimes treated as outdated or irrelevant. What matters, say some, is what works; not what lies behind, not the philosophy behind decisions. I disagree. Staying true to core principles, however contexts change, is what means organizations like ours maintain guardrails around our decisions. Even as we operate in a very different world to ones of decades past, we’re recognizable, and our work is extensive and impactful, because our principles remain consistent.Take neutrality. It allows our network to reach people others cannot. It allows us to stay when access narrows and pressure intensifies. It keeps our focus where it belongs – on the consequences of crises, not on assigning blame.Impartiality and independence are just as essential. They are what allow communities to see the Red Cross and Red Crescent as their own, rather than as an extension of any government, donor or agenda. Without that trust, access erodes. Without access, response becomes impossible.This is why Renewal is not a departure from who we are. It is a continuation of the founding vision of 5 May 1919 – a belief that a strong humanitarian network must be anchored in local action, global solidarity and shared principles. Renewal is about deepening localization. It is about focusing our efforts where our impact is greatest. It is about being more agile, more accountable, and more transparent in how we use resources entrusted to us. It is about using technology unimaginable in the past to enhance the very things our founders believed most essential.Renewal is also about shifting even further away from notions of community-dependency towards local ownership – supporting National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to lead, not follow, and ensuring that international support strengthens, rather than replaces, local capacity. Renewal means doing things differently, but always doing them with the same integrity our network has always held central.Choices ahead will not be easy. Which country gets support and which doesn’t? Who gets prioritized and who doesn’t? How do we apply our principles of impartiality when the fundings get even more earmarked? While we grapple with these questions, we must be absolutely clear about what does not change.Efficiency and principles as well as speed and trust must go hand in hand. A humanitarian system that modernises but loses credibility with communities is not stronger – it is weaker.More than a century after our founding, our relevance will be measured by whether people still trust the Red Cross and Red Crescent on their doorstep. Renewal is how we protect that trust for the future – by becoming more local, more focused and more accountable, while remaining true to the values that have sustained our network for generations.

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22/04/2026 |

Press release

Six months after Hurricane Melissa, locally led recovery will determine how communities withstand future shocks

Kingston, Panama City, Geneva 21, April 2026 — Six months after Hurricane Melissa, Jamaica is entering a critical phase where recovery efforts must continue to be a priority or risk deepening long-term vulnerability, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Jamaica Red Cross stated today, as they presented the country’s recovery strategy during the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Conference held in Kingston.The Category 5 hurricane affected 1.6 million people — more than half the country’s population — causing an estimated USD 8.8 billion in damages — equivalent to 56 per cent of Jamaica’s GDP — placing significant pressure on public finances, slowing economic recovery, and leaving lasting impacts on livelihoods, housing and essential services. Losses in key sectors such as tourism and agriculture continue to affect income and stability, particularly in rural and coastal communities.At the same time, rising global costs — including fuel and agricultural inputs — are increasing the burden on recovery, making it more expensive for families to rebuild and for systems to recoverWhile emergency response efforts helped stabilize the immediate aftermath, thousands of families remain displaced or living in damaged homes, with limited means to rebuild.“Six months after a disaster, recovery becomes decisive. If we get this moment right, we can reduce future risks. If we don’t, vulnerabilities deepen,” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the IFRC. “Recovery is about strengthening the capacity of communities, systems and institutions to withstand the next shock. That means investing early, working in coordination with national authorities, and trusting local actors to lead — particularly National Societies like the Jamaica Red Cross, whose auxiliary role positions them to support and strengthen national recovery efforts.”With a new hurricane season approaching and humanitarian needs still acute, the Jamaica Red Cross has developed a recovery strategy focused on five critical areas: shelter, livelihoods, health — including mental health — hygiene, and community resilience. The strategy is grounded in community engagement, data-driven assessments, and close coordination with national authorities, ensuring that recovery efforts are aligned with national priorities and shaped by the needs of affected people.“This strategy is aligned with the national recovery framework and builds on what has already been achieved in the response, while supporting communities to recover safely and sustainably,” said Allasandra Chung, President of the Jamaica Red Cross. “It recognises that every family and every community recovers at a different pace and requires solutions tailored to their specific needs. Grounded in dialogue with affected people and national authorities, and drawing on our experience in recovery from Hurricane Beryl and other crises, it goes beyond rebuilding what was lost — helping communities rebuild futures that are safer, more resilient and better prepared for what lies ahead.”The Jamaica Red Cross, supported by the IFRC network, has been central to the response and continues to support communities as recovery progresses. To date, more than 45,000 people have received humanitarian assistance, including shelter materials, hygiene items, food and cash support. Over 6,000 households have received cash assistance to help meet urgent needs and begin rebuilding, while mental health and psychosocial support has reached more than 2,100 people.The Jamaica Red Cross recovery approach places local leadership at its core, strengthening community capacities and ensuring that people are active participants in shaping their own recovery. Through training, outreach and engagement, communities are being supported to rebuild safer homes, restore livelihoods and reduce future risks.The recovery strategy forms part of the IFRC Emergency Appeal for 19 million Swiss francs to support 180,000 people over 24 months. However, the appeal is currently only 56 per cent funded, limiting the ability to scale up recovery efforts at the pace required.AV assets available here.Download the recovery strategy here.For more information and to arrange interviews contact: [email protected] JamaicaEsther Pinnock +1 (876) 836-5049In PanamaSusana Arroyo +507 69993199In GenevaTommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96

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12/12/2025 |

Press release

IFRC unveils 2026 Global Plan to address rising humanitarian needs with stronger locally led action

Geneva, 12 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has today launched a summary of its Global Plan for 2026, outlining the organisation’s operational priorities for the coming year as humanitarian needs reach unprecedented levels - while funding for humanitarian action continues to shrink.The plan highlights the urgent challenges facing communities worldwide, from more frequent climate related disasters to protracted conflicts, rising displacement, health emergencies and growing vulnerabilities. In many crises, IFRC, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are increasingly the only humanitarians still present as other actors scale down or leave.“Humanitarian needs are rising, challenges are growing and funding is shrinking. Many organisations have to leave communities just when they are needed most. Not us,” said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. “The IFRC network is local, everywhere, and in 2026, that is not going to change.”A 3.4 billion CHF plan focused on protecting people most at riskThe IFRC network’s total funding requirement for 2026 is 3.4 billion Swiss francs (a breakdown is available in the Global Plan summary document). Some of the key areas of IFRC investment include:• Disasters and crises• Health and wellbeing• Migration and displacement• Climate and environment• Values, power and inclusion• Emergency appeals• Scaling special purpose funds including the IFRC DREF (Disaster Response Emergency Fund) and the National Society Investment Alliance.Increased support for locally led actionUnder the Global Plan, the IFRC will channel 75 percent of all internationally mobilised resources to the national level, placing more people and expertise closer to communities. It will strengthen National Societies’ ability to lead in emergencies, expand volunteer networks and deepen accountability to affected communities.The plan builds on IFRC’s ongoing ‘Renewal’ process, a transformation started by the IFRC Secretary General to make the IFRC Secretariat more agile, locally led, impactful, efficient and accountable, with wide consultation amongst staff, National Societies and Partners.Doing things differently with lessWith 191 National Societies, 17 million volunteers and 289,000 local branches, the IFRC remains the world’s largest humanitarian network. Yet the context in which it operates is becoming more fragile, with rising humanitarian needs and risks to humanitarian personnel. Fifty-seven Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed in the line of duty in the past two years. Protecting humanitarian personnel to deliver effectively on our mandate is a key priority for the IFRC in 2026.A call to invest in proven and cost-effective local actionInvestment in locally led response remains one of the most cost efficient and high impact ways to address humanitarian needs. Regular Resources, the IFRC’s unearmarked funding, will be especially important in 2026, providing the flexible resources needed to anchor locally led action, sustain core services and support National Societies on the frontlines of rising humanitarian needs.With the Global Plan 2026, the IFRC renews its commitment to being local, everywhere, ensuring that communities have trusted support close to home when it matters most – and we invite our donors and partners to fund the Plan.Read the summary of the Global Plan for 2026.The full plan will be published in January 2026.More information, visit the Global Plan 2026 web page.For media requests, please contact: [email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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07/11/2025 |

Press release

IFRC plans to double size of Disaster Response Emergency Fund by 2030

Geneva, 7 November 2025 –The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) thanks governments and partners for their commitments made at the 2025 IFRC-DREF Pledging Conference, held in Geneva on November 7, 2025.Donors announced commitments of nearly CHF 110 million, a record level of investment into the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), an innovative mechanism that enables rapid, locally led humanitarian response.The IFRC-DREF has expanded rapidly over the past five years, growing from 23.5 million Swiss francs in funding in 2020 to a record 91.5 million in 2024. In that time, it has allocated a total of 295 million Swiss francs to National Societies, targeting around 80 million people worldwide. Over 75% of IFRC-DREF funding is channelled to Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies on the front lines of humanitarian emergencies.But in the face of unprecedented humanitarian needs, greater support is needed to enable faster, flexible humanitarian responses. IFRC plans to double the size of the IFRC-DREF from its current 100 million CHF to 200 million CHF by 2030 – to enable greater investment in principled, local humanitarian actors and double the number of people reached to up to 50 million per year.“This investment in humanity and in local action will save lives,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General. “We thank our partners for their support, but we need to scale this up further in the face of unprecedented humanitarian needs. IFRC-DREF is an extremely valuable tool as we have just seen with Hurricane Melissa – where a small investment had a big impact and saved lives. In a time of financial strain across the humanitarian sector, these commitments send a strong message to communities – you have not been forgotten.”The IFRC-DREF enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond immediately to disasters or act in advance of predicted hazards. Funds are typically approved within 24 hours and disbursed within 72 hours.Since it was first used in 1979, the IFRC-DREF has assisted millions of people affected by floods, cyclones, epidemics and other humanitarian emergencies.The Fund also plays a leading role in anticipatory action, releasing funds before disasters strike to help communities prepare and reduce losses. The IFRC-DREF’s insurance mechanism, a first in the humanitarian sector, is an innovative finance mechanism that leverages the power of the private sector to make stretched government donor contributions go further. Private-sector contributions have also grown tenfold since 2019, including through insurance partners.The IFRC extends its gratitude to all partners – especially first-time donors to the IFRC-DREF and those who have increased their pledges - for their trust and support. A full breakdown of pledges will be published in due course.About the Disaster Response Emergency FundThe IFRC-DREF is the IFRC’s rapid, flexible funding mechanism that enables National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond immediately to disasters and act early to prevent impacts. Entirely donor-funded, it disburses grants within days, putting resources directly into the hands of local responders. It has supported thousands of operations across more than 100 countries. Read the 2024 Annual Report.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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30/09/2025 |

Article

Our Renewal matters: for so many, the IFRC network is all that’s left

In Kena, Lesotho, families set out before dawn and walk for hours - over mountains, through rivers - to reach clinics many kilometers away. But in August, I stood in a small, airless room where the pharmacy shelves were bare just a week before.No medicine, no doctors. Just the weight of frustration, exhaustion and quiet despair of those who had come so far - only to return home with nothing. The IFRC has just managed to get some medicines which will last for about 4 months. Then what?I’ve been on a few missions this year to see how the international funding cuts are impacting communities. And the more countries I visit, the more I am left with a terrible realization. What I saw in Lesotho isn’t the exception. It’s becoming the norm.Our IFRC network needs a Renewal to respond.In Somalia earlier in the year, the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) felt as though it was the only organization on the ground. Everyone I met in June was asking for our support. ‘It’s simple’ one woman said to me, only half joking,‘Just makeusthe priority!’.The trouble, of course, is that so many deserve priority.Health is where resilience begins. If people are not healthy, they cannot build their lives or their communities. But health is also where the cracks show first. In the village of Laalays in Somalia, I watched infants receive life-saving vaccines with the help of our volunteers backed, financially, by the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund, our ‘IFRC-DREF.’The relief for their parents was real. But these programmes have money only for six months. What happens then to those still waiting their turn? Today, more than 359,000 children in Somalia remain “zero-dose” - never having received even asinglevaccine.In Lesotho, where one small clinic is responsible for 7,000 people, I met Nkopane Maema. Orphaned as a child, Nkopane grew up with support of a Red Cross programme for vulnerable children. Today, he is a certified pharmacist - and he volunteers at the very same clinic that once gave him care. There, the need for medical supplies and guidance continues to grow - yet most humanitarian agencies have pulled out, or are pulling out.This strain is just as vivid in social systems.In South Africa, where I travelled after Lesotho, gender-based violence (GBV) has reached terrible levels. Statistics from the Africa Health Organization suggest that51 percent of women have experienced GBV, while 76 percent of men admit to perpetrating it at some point in their lives.In Botswana, the picture is equally stark. Between July and September 2024,10,191 rapes were reported - an average of 111 per day. Across both countries, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high, fueling cycles of poverty, violence and vulnerability. Budget cuts mean fewer and fewer organizations are able to help.In Johannesburg, at an afterschool care centre run by the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS), I watched children from underprivileged neighborhoods receive a hot meal - for some, it was the only one they would eat all day.Everywhere, needs are growing, budgets are shrinking, and humanitarian agencies are pulling out.And yet, one constant remains: the Red Cross and Red Crescent.National authorities are recognizing this. In Lesotho, we signed a legal status agreement to scale operations rapidly during emergencies. In South Africa, we supported the Red Cross on governance reform and private sector partnerships. In Botswana, we have been asked to help tackle GBV, positioning the National Society as a trusted partner.Excellent. But my feelings are bittersweet. Yes, pride in the dedication of colleagues in our network. But that’s mixed with aggravation at the inability of others because of funding cuts.We want to help. We can. But to do so best, we must change too - to maximize the impact of our limited resources. We must respond to a new, leaner humanitarian world in which, very often, the ‘always there’ local nature of our network gives us a huge opportunity. How to best seize it? To meet an all-too-common threat we must be the common thread that remains. And the IFRC’s ‘Renewal’ is how we will achieve that.After extensive consultation, I've broken down my vision for Renewal into five areas where we must focus:To position ourselves for resources, as a network always working at the most local level, we mustdeepen localizationandprove it through accountability.To strengthen our humanitarian impact, we mustsharpen our focusandfoster deeper collaboration across the network.To influence the causes that matter most, we mustredouble our humanitarian diplomacy effortsandspeak with a totally unified voice.To embrace change and do more with sometimes less, we mustaccelerate digital transformationandembrace ethical adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI).To become an organization that delivers more effectively and efficiently, we mustbuild a more agileandresponsive secretariat with a culture of transformation; a secretariat closer to the communities we serve.To truly help people in a world where needs are growing and resources are shrinking, we need focus, structure and adaptability. If our Renewal gets this right, we’ll not just remain relevant, we’ll reach further than ever. Renewal will mean we’ll be the global local network that continues to deliver, in Somalia, Lesotho and all around the world.

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21/08/2025 |

Speech

'The deaths must stop': IFRC Secretary General speech for World Humanitarian Day 2025

On World Humanitarian Day (August 19, 2025) I had the solemn duty of reflecting on the rising attacks against our staff and volunteers, and calling for stronger protection of humanitarian workers. The event was hosted by the IFRC with the support of the Australian mission in Geneva.At the IFRC, we’re proud to support the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel – an Australian Government initiative which will set out practical and actionable steps to protect humanitarian workers. I was delighted to hear that the Declaration is nearing finalization. States will be invited to commit to driving real, practical action to protect humanitarian workers very soon.Below is the is the speech I gave during the event:"Until four days ago, Honelegn Fentahun was one of our best. Dedicated to the collective mission of the Red Cross, Red Crescent family. Honoring our Fundamental Principles. Local to his community. Committed to it. He was part of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society's North Gondar team.But, on 14 August, as Honelegn and two colleagues were returning from delivering an ambulance to Janamora district – their vehicle was intercepted, and they were kidnapped by armed men. The three were released the next day, without their vehicle. But Honelegn’s health had been gravely affected. He died on August 15.Awful. And – tragically – just the latest.This year our National Societies have lost EIGHTEEN people while on duty. Honelegn’s death is not an exception — it is part of a worrying trend.Take another – more horrific still. Rifatt Radwan was 23-years-old; a volunteer with the Palestinian Red Crescent (PRCS). A dedicated humanitarian, serving his community.With whatever he could earn, he supported his ill father and dreamt of continuing his studies. But before he could fulfill those dreams, Rifat was killed on duty alongside SEVEN fellow PRCS ambulance staff, in Tel-Al-Sultan, Rafah. Their bodies were found buried in the sand, still wearing their red vests.Rifat and Honelegn’s stories are among many. Far too many.In 2025 alone, the PRCS has lost 9 colleagues on duty. Since October 7, 2023, 31 colleagues from the PRCS have died. Magen David Adom – our National Society in Israel - has lost 6 colleagues since the same date.In 2024 overall, 32 volunteers and staff of National Red Cross Red Crescent Societies lost their lives. And I repeat - already 18 colleagues from our members have been killed on duty this year. All local. All working to save lives in their communities.I’ve visited lots of National Societies this year, from Syria to Somalia, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Lesotho - and one thing keeps standing out. While, with funding cuts particularly, many international organizations are leaving, National Red Crescent and Red Cross staff and volunteers remain. They are often the only ones on the ground.They do the work so necessary and yet so often overlooked. It’s vital. We must protect it. We must protect THEM. In the last few years, our volunteers have become targets. The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems on their vests and helmets – which should be shields – are ignored.That’s why we back – 100 per cent - the forthcoming Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel to protect humanitarian workers. This declaration is a big step forward in protecting those who protect others . . . particularly LOCAL workers, committed to the communities in which they live and work. And I applaud the leadership of Australia in this regard.At the IFRC, we do not start and stop at condolences. We stand up to protect those we can. This is the work we've been doing for some time. This year, and especially today, we are pushing for our #ProtectHumanity exhibit with the names and photos of colleagues lost in the course of their work.We must and do mourn but today is also about looking forward - committing to action that puts an end to violence against humanitarian workers. So, here’s what we are doing.First: supporting families. Last year at our General Assembly we launched the 'Red Family Fund’ to support families of those killed on duty. The fund is a sign of solidarity, to show families they are not alone. We welcome the efforts of United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to promote the Red Family Fund as part of their World Humanitarian Day campaign. If you’d like to contribute anything – big or small – donations can be made through this link.Second, we must raise awareness. We want the world to know the names and if possible, the stories of those we have lost. That’s why I started with two today. We urge people to use their voices to say humanitarians are NOT a target, to raise awareness in their own networks and communities . . . and to urge leaders to uphold their obligations under international law.Finally, we must seek action. And that is why the Declaration that Clare mentioned, and we’re committed to, is so vital.As part of its ongoing commitment, the IFRC is collecting messages of solidarity and condolences in two dedicated books: one for the families and colleagues of those who have died, and another to express support, empathy, and unity with staff and volunteers. These messages will be shared on International Volunteer Day, December 5, as a gesture of appreciation for the extraordinary dedication of humanitarian workers worldwide.The protection of those who are the frontlines of crises is not optional – it is essential. Their work is vital, yet their safety increasingly fragile. The international community must act decisively and ensure that humanitarian workers are never again treated as targets. The deaths must – I repeat MUST – stop."

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24/06/2025 |

Article

IFRC Secretary General at United Nations: Humanitarian ‘reset’ requires the sector to be ‘as local as possible, as international as necessary’

Under discussion was what the humanitarian sector should do to reform at a time of deep cuts in humanitarian funding and mounting needs. [A video of the session can be found here, with remarks from the IFRC Secretary General appearingat about 1 hour 30 minutes into the video]."Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Thank you, Tom [Fletcher,Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs], for that great introduction and wonderful speech earlier.On your question [from the moderator, “What do you hope will be key elements of the approach to humanitarian work after the reset?] of course, you heard a lot on the sort of collective reset that Tom had been talking about in the morning, and just now. I would like to share a perspective from IFRC.ListeningAlready late last year, we had initiated the process of listening even before the current funding crisis became so prominent. Because what we believe is that it's extremely important for the organizations to have that humility on a regular basis, to have that check, that whether we are up to date or not. It's not about being good or bad.I think as the Red Cross, I believe we have always been very good, but there are always opportunities to gain efficiency, cost-effectiveness and [extend the] reach of our program.And as part of that process, we listened to more than 2,000 voices, more than half of them from the local communities. And there are a few ideas emerging which very much align with the Reset process we have been discussing, more broadly as a humanitarian sector.Deepen localization and accountabilityOne of the first things that came out from that is that the humanitarian system after the reset would be very local, but it is local with accountability, and the accountability, not in the sense of just pushing the risks to the local actors, for sharing the risk, but delivering in an accountable manner.And it's really about the decision-making at the local level. And I think the colleague from Afghanistan [a previous speaker], what she said is that you don't need to push us from abroad. We're already there. And somehow, we have this notion that we need to put the local actor in the front. No, they're already there. We need to follow them. And I think we need to have the courage to follow the local actors who are already there.And also, we do need, you know, as IFRC, we have been championing the localization, we also believe that the global solidarity is needed in many places. But when we do that global solidarity, I think it's really, really important that now we walk the talk: both the donors' community and us as the international organization.We [donors and agencies of Grand Bargain] committed 25 per cent of the internationally mobilized funding that goes to the local actors — we have received only 2 per cent collectively.That must not be good enough for us. Otherwise, we'll keep on talking. So, this is in our hands to change that, nobody is stopping us to make that happen. So, let's make that happen. And just to share with you, colleagues, that in the IFRC we are going to step up that target to 75 per cent. We will not be satisfied with 25 per cent. That's the push we want to make.Sharpen humanitarian focus and collaborationNow, the second message that is coming is, I think, the humanitarian system and as an organization, I think we've got to have more collaboration, as you said Tom, no silos, no egos.But at the same time, we also need to be much more conscious about our own mission creeps. Sometimes we establish complicated coordination mechanisms. And maybe those were not needed if we are not doing the mission creep ourselves.We do mission creeps, and it becomes complicated. We overlap each other, then we create a complicated mechanism to say that: “Oh, actually we should not be doing the mission creeps.”So, I think we need that focus, humanitarian focus. Humanitarian focus and really, really be the discipline… ourselves, so that the Tom’s life becomes very easy and maybe not needed. I think, I think if we can make jobs — Tom's job redundant — we would have succeeded! And we do need to diversify our financing approaches and models. And I think in IFRC, we are taking some really innovative financing modalities, but we have to take it to scale.Redouble humanitarian diplomacy efforts to influence humanitarian causesThird one is the real issue around management diplomacy: around how we preserve, how we preserve our medical space? How do we protect our humanitarian workers? How do we uphold our principles and the international norms? And I think collectively, again, we have to push for this. So, our call to the government, to the states: I think you really have to uphold your friends accountable, as much as you do to your foes.In the current system, the system jumps very much to hold your foes accountable, not always your friends accountable. And for me, until and unless we have the courage to held our friends accountable, we will not overcome the sense of impunity that we are seeing around the world. And I think the discipline that we need from the humanitarian workers is that we should not pretend to be the placing responsibility of the states.Most of the crisis that we are seeing now and the pressure on the humanitarian organizations is growing because there haven’t been many political solutions to many of the crises we are dealing with now. Until and unless there are political solutions to these crises, the humanitarians even if we get 200 billion, we will not be able to address those issues. There must be political solutions.Accelerate digital transformation and ethical adoption of AINow the fourth is we are also living in a digital age. So, I think we as an organization, as a humanitarian system, we also have to adapt to digitalization and ethical adoption of artificial intelligence. And this my son asked me to put that in – he is an artificial intelligence student!An organization that delivers more effectively and efficiently with a culture for transformationAnd then finally… Finally, I think it’s extremely important that we as an organization have the capacity and the culture of transformation. The days of 5 years plans, and 10 years plans are gone. Things are changing so rapidly, even the 1-year plans are no longer relevant.You have to update your plan already less than 6 months. And we can address that only because the reset humanitarian system has both culture and capacity of transformation, and that humility I talked about before. Changing or accepting the weakness is not the wrong thing. It’s not weakness, it’s strength. Only strong people, strong organization, has the ability to do that.True Reset = LocalSo, colleagues, we are here with different rules, experiences, and perspectives, but with only one shared interest.Tom, I am repeating you: how we can work together to better serve our humanity. If we are serious about transforming the humanitarian response, then we must be serious about shifting power, resources, and responsibility - closer to the people we aim to serve. That means local.Local. Local and Local.But local with global solidarity. As local as possible, as international as necessary. So, a true humanitarian reset, from the perspective of IFRC, is threefold: leading with humanity, acting with foresight, and delivering with accountability. All that comes best with local at the core. Thank you so much."

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21/05/2025 |

Article

A tale of two emotions: In Myanmar, visiting people whose lives were upended by the March 28 earthquake, I am torn between hope and fear

By Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary GeneralThe young girl was standing off to the side, watching other children dance and laugh. Her hands were clenched at her sides; her eyes fixed on the ground.The girl looked unsure if she belonged. But then two of our Myanmar Red Cross youth volunteers noticed her.Without a word, they walked over and began dancing right beside her, respectfully, gently and without pressure. Before long, the young girl was in the spotlight, laughing and jumping with others as if she had always been part of the group.It was a moment that represented so much of what I saw as I travelled through Myanmar last week — a moment of fear giving way to hope.As we stopped and visited people in villages and towns most heavily impacted by the March 28 earthquake and its aftershocks, I often felt torn between two strong and competing emotions.On the one hand, I felt a palpable sense of hope. I saw it in the warm and welcoming faces of people living in desperate conditions, yet able to maintain a sense of determination, humanity and dignity.On the other hand, I couldn’t help but feel a nagging sense of worry and even dread as people explained how the earthquake had taken away so much of what they held most dear - homes, loved ones, livelihoods and a sense of safety.These feelings were hard to reconcile because in many places, while there is hope, there is also a very deep and understandable fear about what comes next.When travelling by road from Sagaing to Mandalay, then on to Naypyitaw and Yangon, I saw homes, already half-destroyed by the earthquake, now completely brought down by the rain. In many cases, people who had already been displaced by earlier crises, were now forced to start over yet again.Many are living in tents or crowded homes, facing rising heat with no access to clean water as wells dry up. Combined with the coming monsoon, these conditions are a recipe for outbreaks of diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhoea.How do we get ahead of this? Can we get the resources we need to pre-empt the coming rains? How can we help ease people’s fears and give them solid reasons to hope? These are the urgent questions I raised with local authorities, humanitarian partners, Red Cross and Red Crescent colleagues, and donors.What we are doing to help?The good news is that throughout my journey in Myanmar, I witnessed a very robust humanitarian response in action. Despite the challenges, its foundation is strong.In every community I visited, the Myanmar Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, was working tirelessly to support those in need. Remarkably, they have access to 80 percent of the earthquake-affected areas, with dedicated staff and volunteers delivering food, water, and other supplies.I saw the Myanmar Red Cross running mobile health clinics, repairing water points and creating child-friendly spaces where children could feel comfort and joy.I saw the Myanmar Red Cross reaching everyone regardless of their background or faith. We visited churches, mosques and temples. This inclusive support builds social cohesion and, most importantly, strengthens community resilience.I saw incredible generosity as volunteers, many affected themselves, mobilized immediately and remain committed.But to turn hope into lasting change, we need more shelters, safe spaces for women and girls and expanded health outreach. This means better access to essential medicines and stronger disease prevention measures for vulnerable communities.We need to continue our critical cash support and increase the distribution of essential household items.And we need to continue strengthening our integrated protection approach: ensuring dignity in every response, offering protection services for at-risk groups and expanding feedback mechanisms to those that we help.Now that I’m back in Geneva, I can’t stop thinking about the people I met in the villages and camps across Myanmar. I still feel a mix of emotions. After all, with the monsoon season fast approaching, time is not on our side.But overall, I returned from my trip hopeful.If we can rally enough support, the Myanmar Red Cross and its volunteers are more than ready to continue and even expand their efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to their communities. While the window for action is short, the power of collective effort is immense. With solidarity and timely support, we can help protect lives and restore dignity where it’s needed most.

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07/04/2025 |

Article

IFRC Secretary General in new op-ed: ‘Our aid workers were brutally killed and thrown into a mass grave. This must never happen again’

The following op-ed article by IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain was first published by the UK Guardian on 5 April, 2025.Which was most horrific? The agonising week-long wait – silence after our colleagues went missing, as we suspected the worst but hoped for something different? Or the confirmation, seven days later, that bodies had been found? Or, since, the ghastly details of how they were found, and killed?Their ambulances were crushed and partly buried. Nearby were their bodies – also buried, en masse, in the sand. Our dead colleagues were still wearing their Red Crescent vests. In life, those uniforms signalled their status as humanitarian workers; they should have protected them. Instead, in death, those red vests became their shrouds.Ambulance officers Mostafa Khufaga, Saleh Muamer and Ezzedine Shaath, and first responder volunteers Mohammad Bahloul, Mohammed Al-Heila, Ashraf Abu Labda, Raed Al-Sharif and Rifatt Radwan were good people. Alongside fellow Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance officer Asaad Al-Nasasra – who is still missing – and medical and humanitarian workers from other organisations, they were in emergency vehicles, rushing in to do what they do.Post-ceasefire Gaza is dangerous, of course. But these men were not cavalier. They believed their Red Crescent-marked vehicles would make it clear who was inside and their purpose. They believed international humanitarian law meant something; that healthcare workers would be protected. They assumed that meant they would not be a target. But they were wrong. Tragically, horrifically wrong.So I’m writing with a plea. Make that assumption right again. Those deaths in Gaza – while especially awful – were part of a growing trend. More and more humanitarian aid workers are being killed around the world. The trend must be reversed.As the secretary general of a worldwide humanitarian federation, a network of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies with more than 16 million staff and volunteers, I’m well used to trauma. Helping people prepare for crisis and then dealing with it when it hits is what our people do. Right now, thousands of colleagues from the Myanmar Red Cross are helping people with their immediate post-earthquake needs. In Russia and Ukraine our members are helping people affected on both sides of the conflict.Our teams can help people deal with trauma. But they should not be subjected to it because of what they do. International humanitarian law requires that. Health and humanitarian aid workers must be protected. They wear emblems for a reason. Yet according to the Aid Worker Security Database, they are being killed in growing numbers. In 2023, that number was 280.Our network lost 18 that year on duty – including six from our national society in Israel, Magen David Adom, on that awful day in October. Last year, a record 382 humanitarians are known to have been killed. Of those, 32 were members of our Red Cross or Red Crescent societies, including 18 from the Palestine Red Crescent Society. A further eight were killed while working in Sudan. This year is looking even worse.We cannot allow these deaths – any of these attacks – to become normalised. We must reject any narrative that they are inevitable, or part of the risk of the job. I’m grateful for the political, media and online outrage over the deaths of our workers last month. I share it. But we must all go further.First, we must see the same when any humanitarian is killed, wherever and whenever. Too often when a worker is local to the community they serve, there is far less attention than when an “international” worker dies.Second, we must demand that governments change their behaviour and that of those who answer to them. Whatever the circumstances, states have a legal responsibility to protect all civilians, including humanitarian workers. There must be tangible consequences for those who commit the atrocity of killing – through malice or recklessness – humanitarians trying to help.Third, other governments have a duty to put diplomatic and political pressure on their peers.This week, leaders of the Palestine Red Crescent Society have travelled from the West Bank to New York to brief the UN security council and demand more protection for humanitarian workers. In Geneva, I have made “protect humanity” central to my engagement with governments, publicly and privately.But at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) we tread a fine line. Neutrality and impartiality are at our core – constitutional, fundamental principles of our organisation. Straying from them could impede our work. Our job is to manage consequences, not point fingers at causes. Even in circumstances as horrific as those of last month, or 18 months ago in Israel, neither I nor my organisation assign blame towards people, groups, institutions or governments. You’ll notice I don’t in this article, even as others on this website and elsewhere do exactly that.Why? Because we believe in sticking to our principles just as we demand others stick to laws, especially international humanitarian law. We hope our commitments to neutrality and impartiality mean our voice carries even more weight when we demand justice.And demand justice we do. In Gaza, independent investigators must be allowed access and given full details of what happened two Sundays ago, however uncomfortable for those who have them. There must be respect for those who died through consequences for those who killed them. Impunity in any place breeds impunity in every place. That can never stand.Last week the IFRC’s president and I sent letters of condolence to the families of three of our network’s members in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Syria. We mourned their loss and, through an EU-supported Red Family Fund that we wish we didn’t need, offered token financial contributions. Similar letters will be sent soon to grieving families in Gaza.But letters of condolence, of course, are far too little, far too late. What will make a difference is if the tide of disrespect for international humanitarian law is turned.I am outraged. But I’m also tired of being outraged. Humanitarian aid workers must be protected. For the sake, quite simply, of humanity.

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08/10/2024 |

Podcast

‘The worst year for humanitarians’: IFRC Secretary General at UN General Assembly presses for urgent action to protect humanitarian workers

The vast majority of humanitarians killed in the last decade are not foreign aid workers, but local humanitarians who often face grave dangers simply trying to save lives in the communities where they live, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain says in this special episode, recorded during the United Nations General Assembly in late September. “More than 95 per cent of the humanitarians killed have been from local communities,” says Chapagain, who called on UN member states to protect aid workers and to take urgent action on a wide range of humanitarian concerns.

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24/11/2023 |

Press release

Record-breaking CHF 64 Million pledged at IFRC-DREF conference, surpassing previous year's contributions

Geneva, 23 November 2023: On 17 November 2023, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) held its annual IFRC-DREF pledging conference with the aim of coming one step closer to its strategic funding ambition – growing the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) to CHF 100 million by 2025. Collectively, global cross-sector partners including governments and private sector companies pledged over CHF 64 million in support of IFRC-DREF for 2023, beating last year’s total and previous record of CHF 43 million. This year’s pledging conference demonstrated purposeful commitments to help IFRC-DREF expand its capacity to respond quickly to humanitarian needs, particularly in the face of increasing demand, and increasingly complicated, climate-related disasters. Secretary General at IFRC Jagan Chapagain commented: “This year has been unprecedented for IFRC-DREF, marked by an unparalleled scale and complexities of operations. In an increasingly climate-change-shaped world, the IFRC-DREF is uniquely positioned to respond immediately and effectively to those in need. It ensures aid is efficient, effective, and empowers local actors best positioned to understand and meet community needs. This underscores the critical need for strengthening tools like the IFRC-DREF to intensify our humanitarian efforts.” IFRC-DREF 2023 milestones Every year, small and medium-sized disasters occur in silence. Without media attention or international visibility, they can struggle to attract funding. Despite this, IFRC-DREF has reached over 220 million people affected by disasters since it was launched in 1979. IFRC-DREF stands out for its commitment to channel support directly to local actors: 82% of allocations go directly to National Societies, enabling Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to deliver fast and effective local humanitarian action. Globally, the average figure stands at a mere 1.2%. In 2023, the IFRC reinforced the fund’s capacity to respond quickly, effectively and transparently. In partnership with Aon, Lloyd’s Disaster Risk Facility and the Centre for Disaster Protection, it launched IFRC-DREF Insurance – an insurance policy developed to provide a backstop for the IFRC-DREF in extreme years, a first for humanitarian risk transfers. By leveraging public aid budgets to mobilise private resources and make donor contributions go further, IFRC-DREF Insurance aims to assist up to six million more people annually by providing contingency funding of up to 20 million Swiss Francs Pledging conference 2023 results This year saw the return of long-standing global partners and supporters of IFRC-DREF, as well as new donors. The conference was attended by over 70 participants representing 35 governments and the private sector. In total, 23 pledging statements were made during the conference. The IFRC highly appreciates the introduction of several new donors to the IFRC-DREF, namely the Saudi Red Crescent Authority and their government, the multi-year commitment by the government of the Republic of Korea, the first-time Lithuanian government contribution and the contribution from Nestle. The IFRC extends deep gratitude to all existing and new donors, appreciating both their participation and public announcement of contributions at the IFRC-DREF pledging conference this year. For more information: To request an interview, contact: [email protected]

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26/01/2024 |

Speech

IFRC Secretary General keynote address at IFRC's 2023 Asia Pacific Regional Conference

Excellencies, HE Vice Minister for Natural Resources and Environment, ladies and gentlemen, friends, colleagues, and distinguished guests, It is a pleasure and an honour to be here today at the 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in lovely Hanoi. Thank you to the Viet Nam Red Cross President Madam Bui Thi Hoa for your generosity and kind hospitality. Over the years, this gathering has promoted cooperation, networking, and partnerships among our National Societies, helping us address common humanitarian concerns and strategies for implementation. Today, I stand inspired by the incredible dedication of all the National Societies from the Asia, Pacific and Middle East present here. Your resilience in serving communities is truly commendable. Thank you for your impactful work. Tremendous achievement and progress in Asia, Pacific and the Middle East: In the last decade, this part of the world has witnessed tremendous economic growth, infrastructure development, increased investment in health and education, and poverty reduction primarily driven by China and India. Economies have diversified and there has been unparalleled progress in technology and innovation, including a massive increase in renewable energy. This has firmly put this region as the growth engine of the entire world. We are especially proud of the leadership role of the Pacific countries in championing the climate agenda. However, gaps still exist and are widening: Some countries in these regions still struggle with high levels of poverty and significant income disparities between different social groups. Rapid population growth, technological advancements, and limited job opportunities contribute to high unemployment rates and underemployment issues. Despite progress, access to quality education remains a challenge for many people, particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas. Gender disparities persist in various aspects, including education, employment, political representation, and access to resources and opportunities. Several countries in these regions experience political unrest, conflicts, and tensions that hinder sustainable development and economic growth. Our World Disasters Report shows that the Asia Pacific region experienced the highest number of disasters of any region in the world in 2020-2021 while the MENA region is becoming increasingly more vulnerable to natural hazards likefloods, heatwaves, and droughts. Countries such as China, India, the Philippines, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Iraq suffered intensely, with more than 100 million people affected. Of the countries with the highest rate of affected population per capita, the most affected were Pacific Island States. Barely one month ago, I personally witnessed tropical cyclone Lola in Vanuatu, which left a trail of destruction and left many communities inaccessible to humanitarian assistance. The climate crisis not only threatens lives and livelihoods but also has severe implications for public health. It is a top strategic priority on the global agenda, with COP28 set to take place less than two weeks from now. In this region, exposure to climate-related events is increasing at an alarming rate, with heatwaves endangering lives and air pollution negatively impacting public health. We also see how the climate crisis is uprooting people. Seventy percent of global disaster-induced displacements occur across Asia and the Pacific in 2022. More than 22 million people were internally displaced in this region due to climate induced disasters in 2022 alone. While the majority were able to return home, 4 million remained displaced at the end of the year. We are all watching with heartbreak and horror the nightmarish number of displaced people, injuries, and fatalities across Gaza Strip. The humanitarian needs in these areas are staggering and devastating. Respect for Geneva conventions has been a major challenge. Magen David Adom is continuing their response to support the affected populations, often from bomb shelters. The situation of hostages remains heartbreaking. Palestine Red Crescent is working around the clock without electricity, fuel, water supply and basic shelter for people displaced directly. Hospitals have been damaged., Patients including children are not getting the care they need. The situation is unimaginable. I personally witnessed the incredible work of the Egyptian Red Crescent last week in my visit to the Rafah border. Our National Societies are responding with urgency and compassion as the primary provider of humanitarian delivery to Gaza through the PRCS. In these difficult times, we must remain united and work as a collective Movement. I reiterate my call on all parties for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, protection and assistance across the Gaza Strip and respect for international humanitarian law. Civilians, hospitals, ambulances, and humanitarian workers must be protected at all times. What this Conference can do? These are massive challenges that we cannot tackle in isolation. This conference is a unique opportunity to draw inspiration and learn from one another at a time when the world is facing increasing adversity and calamity. Today, let us summon a renewed spirit of Unity, Trust and Principled Humanitarian Action that defines who we are as a network and that help us to make a meaningful contribution to the people and communities here in the region and around the world. First—Unity— this is paramount in addressing these challenges. The Asia, Pacific and the Middle East regions are vast, culturally rich, and beautifully diverse. Together, they constitute 65 percent-- more than half of the world's population, a powerful representation of humanity. Diversity is our strength and is what unifies our IFRC network. As Mahatma Gandhi once said: ‘Unity in diversity is the highest possible attainment of a civilization, a testimony to the most noble possibilities of the human race." Our task as humanitarians is to see beyond the numbers and focus on the individuals and communities that make up this dynamic and colorful part of the world. Regardless of their background, gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, people and communities have their own unique humanitarian needs and aspirations, and we must strive to address them in all their complexity. I am reminded of a Vietnamese proverb which beautifully captures the essence of mutual help and unity: "Good leaves protect torn leaves." Let us be inspired by this spirit as we work together to alleviate the suffering of those in need. The focus of this 11th Asia Pacific Regional Conference on becoming "disaster ready" is both critical and timely. Our network has the experience and tools needed to prepare for and handle disasters. Now we need to unite our efforts and scale up. IFRC Strategy 2030 and the Agenda for Renewal is our blueprint to navigate the changing landscape ahead. We must focus on how we work together, how we take lessons from our history to apply them to the shifting trends of the present so that we can make the changes we want to see for the future. Informed decision-making and risk management will be the key to our continued relevance as an IFRC network. We've committed resources to expand digitalization, enhance risk management, and implement new funding models to increase agility, accountability, and impact for community reach. We cultivate knowledge and fortify the capacities of National Societies, positioning ourselves as leaders not only in humanitarian response but also in resilience building, data utilization, influence, collaboration, and innovation. We continue to advocate on behalf of National Societies and influence governments and public authorities to remain committed to humanitarian action and financing. Through innovative financing, we are unlocking new donors and sources of funding. I am very pleased to note that this Asia Pacific Conference is entirely self-financed from the region, a significant milestone. When I meet Asia, Pacific and ME National Societies and volunteers, I see how young people in these regions are engaging in entrepreneurship and exploring innovative ideas for addressing climate change risks. We need to shift our investment to these young people. Let’s harness their innovative ideas, their entrepreneurial spirit, their technological skills. They are the leaders of today and our gateway to a safer and more equitable world. Second--Trust remains the cornerstone of our work. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the devastating effects of a lack of trust in institutions and governments. Misinformation continues to fuel unrest and instability and exacerbate geopolitical divides. "In trust, we find the deepest wells of strength and integrity." This ancient Persian proverb serves as a poignant reminder that trust is the vital bridge connecting our potential to the tangible impact of our humanitarian action. We must be trusted by the communities we serve. Our duty is to provide humanitarian assistance of high quality that positively impacts people's lives, mitigates their risks and vulnerabilities, and augments their capabilities and potential. All of this is contingent upon our unwavering commitment to our Fundamental Principles. These principles form the bedrock of a fair and inclusive society. They are our moral compass. These principles fortify resilience, encourage stability, and nurture the prosperity of current and future generations. Let us incorporate them into our endeavours, discuss them in our conversations, embody them in our actions, impart their significance, and ensure understanding among populations, partners, and donors. Third – Neutral, Impartial and Independent Humanitarian Action: All over the world, National Societies are striving to fulfil their auxiliary role in often politicized and polarized environments, emphasizing the need for humanitarian action to be rooted in independence and neutrality. The tensions between our principles of independence and neutrality and the National Societies Auxiliary role are of increasing concern and puts our collective mission on the line. A National Red Cross and Red Crescent law serves as a passport to engage in dialogue with public authorities in a way that respects the fundamental principles. I encourage you all to explore how to strengthen National Red Cross and Red Crescent laws in your countries. Colleagues, Across this region, there are communities in dire need of our assistance and the locally led actions of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The challenges may seem complex and insurmountable, but, as an Afghan proverb wisely tells us, "There is a road to the top of even the highest mountain." Let us work together with dedication, unity, and the unwavering commitment to our principles to bring relief, hope, and resilience to those who need it most. Before I close, listening to some of the presentations from our young colleagues I want to share a thought about the future. We spend time, energy, and research to define what the future should look like. But while we do that there are a lot of people in parallel working to shape the future. They are not waiting for what the future may look like. They are working hard to shape it now. I believe that if we harness the power of young volunteers, we can be on the side of creating the future we want, rather than waiting for the future to happen and constantly responding. This is my call to all of us. Let us be on the side of creating our future. We can contribute to shaping the future if we listen to our young colleagues. Thank you.

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13/12/2023 |

Press release

COP28: Urgency, action and funds are missing

The Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is warning that communities will suffer due to a lack of urgency expressed in the final text of the COP28 summit. While welcoming much of the agreement, Jagan Chapagain warns it does not go far enough, fast enough and that financial commitment is lacking to meet the needs of communities. Reacting to the agreement, Chapagain said: “This agreement is a step in the right direction – but we needed a leap. The establishment of a Loss and Damage Fund and progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation are both welcome. It’s good, too, that there’s some improved language on mitigation. But this is not yet backed by the necessary finance, and everything is happening far too slowly. We need to be focused on reaching those who need action most. Communities are suffering now. They need action now.” The IFRC is particularly keen to comment on three areas of the agreement: On mitigation Whilst the text may have moved further than before, the current actions outlined will not be enough to keep the planet below 1.5 degrees of warming. If – or when – we pass this threshold, the humanitarian consequences will be dire. We will see more intense, frequent and overlapping extreme climate and weather events destroying homes, lives and livelihoods, with sea level rise taking away people’s lands and ways of life. On adaptation The agreement on targets and a framework for the ‘Global Goal on Adaptation’ is welcome and encouraging. However, communities need more than good intentions. To achieve adaptation targets, build resilience and reduce vulnerability, financial backing is needed, and now. We call on parties to quickly move beyond the doubling commitment on adaptation, to truly close the gap. Adaptation must also reach the communities who need it most, many who are currently getting left behind. In a positive move forward, COP28 recognized this challenge and proposed action in a new Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace. This declaration commits to "substantially scale-up financial resources for climate adaptation and resilience building... in situations of fragility, conflict, or severe humanitarian needs”. The important – and hardest part – will be putting these words into action. On Loss and Damage One real success of COP28 was establishing a formal ‘Loss and Damage Fund’. But that funding structure now needs funds! While current commitments get the fund off the ground, they are a tiny fraction of what’s needed. This also needs effective coordination with wider funding arrangements to identify gaps and reach people in need. The IFRC The IFRC supports communities to prepare for and react to extreme weather and climate-related hazards all over the world. Those hazards are getting more frequent and worse. In just the last two weeks alone, while COP28 has been underway, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been helping people following floods in Kenya, Angola, Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic and Tanzania. Families and communities are already dealing with the very real impacts of extreme weather and as climate change gets more severe, those needs will grow exponentially. We therefore remind the world that words are never enough. We need action, a great leap forward in action. Interviews are available with IFRC leaders and climate policy experts. Contact: Andrew Thomas +41 76 3676587; [email protected]

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17/11/2023 |

Speech

'There is an urgent need to integrate climate adaptation in emergency preparedness and response'

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, It is a pleasure to address the 2023 Belt and Road Ministerial Forum for International Cooperation in Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management. I congratulate the Government of China for their leadership on this initiative, which has marked significant achievements and efforts on disaster risk reduction and emergency management over the past ten years. The IFRC welcomes our partnerships, including with the Government of China, that supports our Disaster Response Emergency Fund for the most efficient response to disasters and crises. Friends and colleagues, we have witnessed a year of unprecedented disasters around the world, which have been further compounded by climate change and geopolitical conflicts. Global humanitarian needs are rising at an alarming rate. These needs are vastly outstripping the resources available to address them. The human costs of disasters and crises remains unacceptably high. As the world’s largest global humanitarian network, with a unique global and local reach, the IFRC has been supporting the National Societies in impacted countries to respond to the needs of crisis-affected communities. The Government of China and the Red Cross Society of China have also been providing urgently needed humanitarian assistance to our IFRC network. Still, more needs to be done. Today, I have three important messages I would like to share with you. Firstly, the climate crisis is the biggest multiplier in increasing disaster risks. If humanity fails to act, hundreds of millions of people will put in a highly increased disaster risk because of the humanitarian impacts of the climate crisis. There is an urgent need to integrate climate adaptation in emergency preparedness and response. The IFRC is working with our member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across the world to strengthen the coordination, preparedness and response to large-scale disasters and crises. Secondly, investing in disaster risk reduction saves lives and livelihoods. Over the last decade, some of the most recent—and often predictable—extreme weather events were the most deadly, costly, and devastating. The IFRC network has been transforming our emergency response mechanisms to integrate early warning approaches that anticipate disasters so that people can act ahead of time to save lives and livelihoods. This helps them recover and build resilience to the next disaster. It is encouraging to see recent efforts in China to reinforce disaster prevention measures and scale up early warning and early action systems. Finally, global solidarity and multi-sectoral collaboration is must to bring the disaster preparedness and emergency response to scale. It will take joining forces to prepare for and effectively respond to the potential mega disasters. No one organization can do this alone. The Belt and Road Initiative on Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management offers us a platform and opportunity to work together and confront the challenges of today and in the future. I am especially pleased to see that localization and investment in local actors is included in this years’ Joint Statement. The IFRC welcomes collaboration with the Government of China and other countries along the Belt and Road Initiative to reduce the humanitarian needs. I wish you all a successful Ministerial Forum, and I wish you many positive discussions and outcomes from this important event. Thank you.

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09/11/2023 |

Speech

Statement by the IFRC Secretary General at France’s International Humanitarian Conference on the Civilian Population in Gaza

Excellencies, No words adequately capture the depth of human suffering in Gaza. In this conflict, civilians, particularly children and women and healthcare workers pay the heaviest burden, some losing their lives, casting a lasting moral shadow upon us all for generations to come. This suffering must end. Now. Israel has suffered heartbreaking human loss, including the taking of hostages which must end now. Magen David Adom in Israel is providing vital assistance, ambulance and health services. The Palestine Red Crescent Society is working around the clock with all affected communities in Gaza to provide vital humanitarian assistance and psychosocial support. They do so fearlessly with unseen dedication in extremely dangerous situations. The ICRC is playing a critical role, and we are coordinating closely as a Movement. Today I am here with Dr Younis Alkhatib, President of the Palestine Red Crescent Society. PRCS is the leading Emergency Medical Service provider and is central to the receipt, delivery and coordination of aid in Gaza. However, they operate under constant threat to their lives, lack of access and inadequate relief and medical supplies. In these difficult situations, the role of the local actors like the Red Cross and Red Crescent becomes central as they have the trust of the communities and of the authorities. We see this in the work of the Egyptian Red Crescent as well as in the preparatory work of National Societies in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and more. The IFRC is supporting and coordinating these national efforts while working hard to augment their capacities as well as partnering with ECHO for a humanitarian air bridge for Gaza. Today we call for three things and ask for your influence to– Protection to ensure neutral, independent humanitarian action of our member National Societies at local level as per IHL. Access to ensure unhindered and safe access for National Societies to reach all parts of Gaza including the north. Assistance to scale up aid efforts unconditionally so that hospitals, ambulances, water facilities, and waste management can function. No matter how dark the hour, we must support one another and be a collective beacon of hope. Thank you.

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18/10/2023 |

Article

IFRC is horrified and dismayed by the loss of life at the hospital in North Gaza

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is horrified and dismayed by the tragic events that unfolded at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in North Gaza on the evening of 17 October 2023. Hospitals are places of help and refuge; they must be protected at all costs. This is not just a moral obligation but also a legal imperative. Hospitals should be sanctuaries for all, where healthcare workers and civilians alike can seek safety and care. IFRC leadership responds Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of IFRC, expressed his profound concern, saying, "I'm horrified and dismayed by what's happened at the Al Ahli Hospital in #Gaza. Hospitals are places of help and refuge. They must be protected. It's a moral and legal imperative." Jagan Chapagain Secretary General, IFRC Francesco Rocca, President of IFRC, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Horrified by what happened at the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza. The hospital was full of patients and people seeking protection. Civilians, healthcare workers and facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. Even war has rules!” Francesco Rocca President, IFRC Call for humanity The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is catastrophic. With hospitals overwhelmed and medicines running out, fuel, water, and food are in short supply. We urge everyone to exercise restraint, adhere to humanitarian law, and protect civilians. We cannot stress this further. Civilian lives must be protected. Hospitals, doctors and nurses must also be protected. Further statements We issued a joint statement from Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the IFRC, and Robert Mardini, Director General of the ICRC, on the escalation of hostilities in Israel and Gaza on 14 October 2023. Read the joint statement. We are also devastated to confirm the deaths of seven members of our network due to the armed hostilities in Israel and the Gaza Strip. Read the statement published on 11 October 2023 (the number was five at the time of the statement). Stay informed For real-time updates on the current situation and to gain further insights, we invite you to listen to the latest weekly Red Cross and Red Crescent X (formerly Twitter) Spaces. For media interviews, please write to [email protected].

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18/09/2023 |

Speech

IFRC Secretary General Keynote speech at the 10th Pan African Conference in Nairobi

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, colleagues and friends, I’m so pleased to be here in vibrant Nairobi. You have always extended such warmth and enthusiasm every time I visit Africa. Thank you for your unmatched hospitality. I am grateful to Kenya Red Cross for hosting Pan African conference of the IFRC. IFRC Vice President Elder Bolaji Akpan Anani, Chair of the PAC. Governor Korir of the Kenya Red Cross. Governing Board members, Commission and Committee chairs of the IFRC, of the Standing Commission, Africa governance group, Vice President of ICRC (continuing our proud history to invite ICRC to IFRC statutory meetings because we can be successful when we work together as a Movement), National Society and youth leaders, staff and volunteers and the entire IFRC secretariat team. I want to particularly recognize the Africa team led by our Regional Director Mohammed Mukhier for working tirelessly to support the organization of the conference. I pay tribute to all of you for your immense contributions to the IFRC network, today and always. Your dedication to the communities we serve is unparalleled, especially through the recent growing complex crises across Africa. Let me join in solidarity with Morocco and Libya as they work hard to recover from two terrible disasters. As we gather here today, I am struck by the rich tapestry of Africa’s history, cultures, and the extraordinary resilience and spirit of its people. Yet, this comes with its own set of opportunities and challenges. A continent of immense beauty and diversity, Africa presents us with a complex humanitarian landscape. Africa is a place of paradoxes, where soaring aspirations uncomfortably co-exist with profound inequalities. Humanitarian needs are growing each day, stretching the bounds of lives, livelihoods, and human dignity. Poverty, inequality, and political instability compound these humanitarian needs. Economic challenges including high unemployment rates, limited industrialization, and a heavy reliance on primary commodities for export make many African nations vulnerable to fluctuations in global markets. We continue to witness alarming hunger levels across the continent, with 167 million facing acute food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa, a 14% increase from 2022. The impact of El Niño in 2023/2024, forecasts a 90% probability of flooding in Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia, alongside reduced rainfall in Southern Africa. We know this will further exacerbate food insecurity in the coming years, as African food systems are very vulnerable to climate extremes and shifts in weather patterns. Disease and epidemics are on the rise as a result. Last year, 96 disease outbreaks were officially reported in 36 countries, with cholera, measles, and yellow fever being the most common. As climate disasters worsen, 7.5 million people were displaced in Africa, the highest annual figure ever reported for the region. And with the cascading effects of political instability in a number of countries, the number of people on the move have begun to climb as well, with 9 million people torn from their homes in 2022. We cannot forget that behind these distressing statistics are actual people –women, men, and children with increasing needs and less resilience to cope. These are the challenges that exist in a continent which is full of young and dynamic population full of unparalleled vibrancy and dynamism. It also has many beautiful tourist destinations. This is a continent full of natural resources - minerals, oil and gas, timber, agricultural land, fisheries, renewable energy, gemstones, water resources, forestry products. Almost everything you can think of. It makes me wonder how come a continent so full of resources is also facing so many challenges. How can we contribute to addressing these humanitarian gaps? Please allow me to share just three fundamental approaches that could help us to make a meaningful contribution to the people and communities in Africa. First is Solidarity – Working together in partnerships: We are bound together in our journey in search of a brighter future. The expanding humanitarian needs push us to the brink, but our unwavering solidarity pulls us back and drives us forward. Solidarity and commitment to our Strategy 2030 and Agenda for Renewal allows us to respond to multiple crises and disasters, build community resilience and strengthen localization in this region. Just last month, I visited Gambia and Egypt to better understand the migration situation. My conversations with volunteers, National Society and government leaders were eye opening. When it comes to migration, Africa is a continent on the move. This comes with positive benefits too—In Gambia migrants contribute to 20% of the country’s GDP. To the rest of the world, the migration of Africans is often framed around their movement beyond Africa’s borders. Yet the story of the millions of refugees and internally displaced people being hosted within Africa, which is more than 85%, is not acknowledged. Through the IFRC’s Global Route-based Migration programme and humanitarian service points we witness how Africans are overwhelmingly supporting fellow Africans on the move. Africans standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow Africans, is a testament to our capacity to overcome adversity. As we address urgent crises before us, it's our combined strength that forms our bedrock of hope. Internal solidarity sometimes can be challenging. Let us not doubt ourselves in our commitment to solidarity. Let us foster trust and belief among ourselves. Second is Solutions to scale- think big, act big: Across Africa much progress has been made and the vast opportunities lie ahead. 34 countries, representing approximately 72% of Africa’s population, have demonstrated significant progress in governance over the last two decades, especially in the areas of rule of law, the protection of rights, and growth of civil society. Africa’s great untapped potential is more visible than ever, with economic growth and investment in public services contributing to the improvement of millions of lives and transformation of societies. The theme of this 10th Pan African Conference is renewing investment in Africa. I suggest that we make this investment people centric. You may want to consider calling it "renewing people-centric investment in Africa". I encourage every one of us to consider how investments in National Societies, and especially in their young volunteers, can harness Africa’s agility and innovation that empowers people to address the needs when they come and continue to work to reduce humanitarian needs by building long term resilience in the communities. For this, our Agenda for Renewal guides the IFRC to work for and with National Societies in everything we do. We have invested in scaling up digitalization, risk management, new funding models for greater agility, accountability, and impact to reach the communities. We foster learning and strengthen National Society capacities, so that we become leaders in the humanitarian field, not just in response but in resilience building, data, influence, collaboration, and innovation. In 2020-2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, African National Societies came together with the IFRC secretariat to reach 450 million people with humanitarian services. The REACH initiative between Africa CDC, the African Union and the IFRC comes with an ambition to scale up the community health workforce by two million and strengthening National Society capacity across the continent to address health needs. These are solutions that are tailored to African communities, that reflect African needs and that can be measured by the outcomes we achieve for the people. Let’s not play small. Let’s think big, let’s act big. Because that’s what it is needed now. Third is Leadership – listen, learn and lead. Our humanitarian action must make a positive difference in people’s lives. In this era of fast paced change and shifting political divides, our leadership has never been more crucial. Leadership to partner with others along equal and mutually reinforcing terms, Leadership to position our National Societies as unparalleled community partner, with unmatched local intelligence and reach, Leadership to engage in internal transformation, Leadership to embody our Fundamental Principles, Leadership to invest in young people--Africa’s most abundant and greatest resource--harness their skills, give them opportunities to lead us to a more just and equitable future. Leadership to build trust, internally and externally, to be bold at communicating good news as well as challenges, to bring about collective energy and hope. Leadership that doesn’t accept business as usual. Leadership that strives for excellence in everything we do. There will be ups and downs, but we will persist. This is what leadership is all about. In our pursuit of a brighter future for Africa, let us hold ourselves to lead with accountability, not just to the challenges of today but also to the aspirations of tomorrow. Let every action we take, every initiative we launch, and every partnership we forge be a testament to our unwavering commitment to the people. I wish you a very productive Pan-African Conference. And please allow me to conclude by sharing a quote from Nelson Mandela – «one of the things I learned when I was negotiating that until I changed myself, I couldn’t change others». Let this conference give us the inspiration to be the real agent of change for the people of Africa. Thank you.

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22/09/2023 |

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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20/09/2023 |

Press release

At Climate Ambition Summit, UN agencies and IFRC kickstart major initiative towards realizing Early Warnings for All by 2027

New York, 20 September 2023- At the UN Climate Ambition Summit today in New York, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) announced the development of a large-scale, collaborative push to establish life-saving Early Warning Systems in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries. An initial injection of US$1.3 million from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) will be used to kick-start a much larger initiative aimed at delivering $157 million from the GCF and partner governments to move towards universal early warning for all. As part of the announcement, UNDP and its partners appealed for other donors to join forces, growing the initiative beyond the first group of countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Somalia. Designed by UNDP, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and targeting finance from the GCF – with other donors expected to come on board – the project is a key contribution to realizing the UN Secretary-General’s Early Warnings for All initiative. TheEarly Warnings for All initiativeis an ambitious push to ensure everyone on Earth is protected from hazardous weather, water, and climate events through life-saving early warning systems by the end of 2027. UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Climate Action and Just Transition, Selwin Hartsaid, “Early Warning Systems are effective and proven tools to save lives and protect the livelihoods of those on the frontlines of climate crisis. Yet those that have contributed least to the climate crisis lack coverage. Six out of every ten persons in Africa are not covered by an early warning system. No effort should be spared to deliver on the ambitious but achievable goal set by the Secretary-General to ensure universal early warning systems coverage by 2027. This will require unprecedented levels of coordination and collaboration. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work. One life lost from a lack of access to an early warning system is one life too many.” UNDP Administrator Achim Steinersaid, “The power of science and technology to predict disasters is yet another demonstration of humanity’s ability to confront climate change. Yet these vital early warning tools remain out of reach for too many. By bridging the gaps, this new initiative will help to advance the UN Secretary-General's bold vision whereby everyone, everywhere can benefit from Early Warning Systems by 2027. We invite partners and donors to join us in mobilizing the support needed to make this ambitious initiative a reality." GCF Executive Director, Mafalda Duartesaid, “Timely and accurate climate information is the first line of defense before disaster strikes. The more we scale up early warning systems, the more lives we save and the more livelihoods we protect. GCF is proud to make this initial contribution to Early Warnings for All to bridge investment gaps that stand in the way of a more resilient future for vulnerable communities across the developing world.” According to the WMO, extreme weather, climate and water-related events caused 11,778 reported disastersbetween 1970 and 2021, with just over 2 million deaths and $4.3 trillion in economic losses.https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/276405By 2050, the global economymay lose up to 14 percent ($23 trillion)on account of climate change. The benefits of multi-hazard Early Warning Systems are considerable. Just 24 hours’ notice of a hazardous event – for example, a flood or fire – cancut the ensuing damage by 30 percent. Countries with substantive-to-comprehensive early warning coverage experience disaster mortality rates eight times lower than countries with limited coverage. Half of countries worldwide, however, are not protected by multi-hazard Early Warning Systems, nor have protocols and resources in place to deal with climate extremes and hazards. The new 6-year project will help Antigua and Barbuda, Cambodia, Chad, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, and Somalia to develop their own projects, while also assisting at least 20 other vulnerable countries with technical and financial support from the GCF and Early Warnings for All partners. WMO Secretary-General Professor Petteri Taalassaid, “Floods, fires, heatwaves, and drought have all wreaked devastation with people’s lives and livelihoods in recent weeks. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of these extreme events. It is therefore vital that climate adaptation policies and actions embrace multi-hazard Early Warning Systems to protect people and property.” IFRC Secretary-General Jagan Chapagainsaid, "Communities most at risk must be warned early – and warning must be followed by action. IFRC’s role in reaching communities with early warnings and preparing them to act is critical to saving lives and livelihoods. This project demonstrates how Early Warning for All can bring together partners to take bigger and more effective actions that benefit everyone, especially communities who need it most." ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martinsaid, “When disaster strikes, timely communications are critical to save lives and reduce damage. Within the Early Warnings for All initiative, ITU is focusing on ensuring that communications channels are in place for warnings to swiftly and effectively reach people and communities. We are committed to mobilizing our unique public and private membership to help cover the world with an Early Warning System by the end of 2027.” Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR Mami Mizutorisaid, “Extreme weather events do not need to become deadly disasters. We need an immediate roll out of early warning systems to protect everyone, everywhere. We will only be safe when everyone is safe.” The implementing partners will tailor their support based on country needs and focus on enhancing national and community capacities, contributing to the global knowledge base, and developing timely and easily accessible climate information for communities to make practical decisions, such as when to evacuate ahead of a cyclone or flood, or how to mitigate the impact of an impending drought. The project will closely coordinate with and build on other efforts currently supporting the Early Warnings for All goals, such as theClimate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS)initiative and theSystematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF), a new UN fund co-created by WMO, UNDP and UNEP, that provides support to close today's major weather and climate data gaps. It will also help link participating countries with international institutions for sustainable financing and technical support. -- For more information, please contact: Dylan Lowthian | Head, Media Relations +1 (646) 673 6350 [email protected] Dan McNorton | +82 32 458 6338 [email protected]

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21/09/2023 |

Speech

IFRC Secretary General statement at the High-level meeting of the General Assembly on Universal Health Coverage

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. UHC political declaration marks one of the most ambitious gatherings on health. I am happy to share the perspective of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on this important topic. Through our experience reaching 1 billion people with health services during COVID-19, I can tell you that a primary health care approach is the only way we stand a chance to achieve universal health coverage and to ensure no one is left behind, both in times of crisis and stability. Resilient health systems focused on primary health care (PHC) with enough trained health workers, data capacity, and well-functioning basic services are better prepared to prevent and respond to health emergencies. Health emergencies often differ from other emergencies in their complexities, their scope, durations, and in response approach. Here are the shifts needed to embed the PHC during health emergencies, this comes from the IFRC study on recent COVID19 pandemic: First and foremost: trust. Governments must do the groundwork to build trust with the public before health emergencies - people won’t use even the best health systems if they don’t trust them. How do we do this? -Proximity: People trust people they know, such as community members. -Education: People trust what they understand, via health literacy programmes. -Listening: People trust those who listen to them and act on their concerns, such as trained community engagement specialists who gather feedback and analyse it. -Access to services: People trust those who address their needs, including their basic health and social protection needs. -Ownership: People trust measures they feel ownership of and are consulted on. Second is equity. Do not exclude anyone. Equity is fundamental element of embedding PHC during emergencies. Migrants, refugees and other disadvantaged communities are the worst impacted by health emergencies. We need to address formal and informal barriers to access to health and other essential services, including stigma and discrimination. Data driven decision making significantly helps to ensure inclusion. Embedding a PHC approach requires integrating health information systems to facilitate real time data sharing and evidence-based decision making. Finally, local action. Strong Community Health Systems that combine the power of communities and technologies: We must prioritize health systems strengthening at the community level, with a well-resourced and protected community health workforce to match. To do this, a much greater portion of existing health financing needs to go to the local level. Universal health Coverage plans must be tailored to the communities they serve by putting them at the center of policy design. It is groundbreaking that governments have committed in paragraph 104 of the declaration to involve local communities in the design of universal health coverage plans, and to find ways of enhancing participatory and inclusive approaches to health governance. Excellencies, humanitarian needs are only growing, and global health is at a crossroads: without systemic change, we will only achieve health for some, and not health for all. Strong governance and leadership are expected of all of us. In the decades since the Alma-Ata Declaration, the international community has focused more on diseases rather than on individuals, and on treatment rather than on prevention. We can’t continue down the same path and expect a different result. Today must represent a shift towards a community-driven, primary health care-first model to global health systems. Thank you.

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20/09/2023 |

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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19/09/2023 |

Press release

Libya floods: Climate change made catastrophe ‘far more likely’

Geneva/New York19September 2023- What happened in Derna should be a ‘wake up call forthe world’ on the increasing risk of catastrophic floods in a world changed by climate change, saysJagan Chapagain,Secretary Generalof the International Federation of Red Crossand Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).Chapagain was talking in the light of a reportsaying climate change made the disaster in Libya significantly more likely. Rapid analysis by theWorld Weather Attribution group– a group of scientists supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - analyzed climate data and computermodel simulations to compare the climate asit is today, after about 1.2°C of global warming, with the climate of the past. Thescientistsfound that human caused climate change has made heavy rainfall in north-eastern Libya up to50 times more likely to occur than it would have been in a world not experiencing human-caused climate change.They also found there was up to 50% more intense rain than there would have beenin a comparable rainstormin a pre-climate change world. The scientists are clear that, even in a 1.2°C ‘warmed’ world,therainfall that fell on Libya was extreme. It was an event that would only be expected to occuronce every 300-600 years.Even so, that frequency is much higherthan would be the case in a world that had not warmed. Rainfall alone did not make the Derna disaster inevitable. Enhancedpreparedness, less construction in flood-prone regions and better infrastructure managementof dams wouldhavereducedthe overall impact of Storm Daniel.Nonetheless, climate change was a significant factorin causing and exacerbatingtheextremeweather event. Julie Arrighi, Interim Director at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre which hadresearchers working on the World Weather Attribution report said: “This devastating disaster shows how climate change-fuelledextreme weather events are combining with human factors to create even bigger impacts, as more people, assets and infrastructure are exposed and vulnerable to flood risks. However, there are practical solutions that can help us prevent these disasters from becoming routine such as strengthened emergency management, improved impact-based forecasts and warning systems, and infrastructure that is designed for the future climate.” Jagan Chapagain, SecretaryGeneralof the International Federation of Red Crossand Red Crescent Societies said: “The disaster in Derna is yet another example of what climate change is already doing to our weather. Obviouslymultiple factors in Libya turned Storm Daniel into a human catastrophe; it wasn’tclimate change alone. But climate change did make the storm much more extreme and much more intense and that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives.That should be a wake upcallfortheworld to fulfill the commitment on reducing emissions, to ensure climate adaptation funding and tackle the issues of lossanddamage.“ More information: To request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Andrew Thomas: +41763676587 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06 Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67

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13/09/2023 |

Press release

Libya floods: IFRC announces CHF 10 million appeal for urgent relief efforts

Geneva, 13 September 2023 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has announced an emergency appeal for 10 million Swiss Francs to scale up the Libyan Red Crescent's relief efforts in response to the floods caused by Storm Daniel in north-eastern Libya. The disaster, which struck on Sunday, 10 September, has led to overwhelming destruction, leaving thousands of people missing and severely straining already fragile infrastructure. Areas like Derna, Benghazi, and Tobruk are among the worst affected. Despite the challenges, Libyan Red Crescent volunteers were the first on the ground, assisting in evacuations and administering first aid and ensure a respectful and dignified burial of the dead. The emergency appeal is designed to further strengthen the Libyan Red Crescent’s capacities in emergency healthcare, emergency shelter, psychosocial support and water and sanitation services. Red Crescent teams will especially support vulnerable groups including women, children and the elderly and the disabled. IFRC's Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, said: "We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those affected by this disaster, including three brave Libyan Red Crescent volunteers who lost their lives during rescue operations. We are faced with an acute and unprecedented situation. International solidarity and support is crucial for the ongoing operations and for preventing a second wave of crisis related to disease and further distress." Chapagain further urged the international community and said: "The time to act is now. We call upon the international community, partners, and donors to contribute generously to this emergency appeal. Your solidarity can transform lives, rebuild communities and offer a beacon of hope to those engulfed in this large-scale disaster." More information Click here to donate to our Emergency Appeal for Libya. To request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06 In Beirut: Mey Alsayegh: +961 3 229 352

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12/09/2023 |

Press release

Morocco earthquake: IFRC launches CHF 100 million emergency appeal to scale up relief efforts 

Geneva, 12 September 2023 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 100 million Swiss Francs to further scale up relief efforts of the Moroccan Red Crescent. More than three days after the earthquake hit Morocco, aid is reaching more remote locations, but conditions are challenging. Since the disaster hit on Friday night, Moroccan Red Crescent teams have been working with Moroccan authorities. They are supporting search and rescue operations, providing first aid and psychosocial support, helping transport the injured to hospitals and evacuating people from damaged buildings, and providing food and water. Within 24 hours of the earthquake, we approved one million Swiss Francs from our Disaster Response Emergency Fund (the DREF) to support the Moroccan Red Crescent in their actions to provide immediate locally sourced relief. The emergency appeal we launch today will support the Moroccan Red Crescent work on both the most pressing needs and the medium-term temporary solutions. These include health, clean water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, relief items and basic needs (food, household essentials), livelihoods, protection and community engagement. The IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, said “The IFRC is launching this appeal to harness the goodwill shown by so many towards the people of Morocco. The needs on the ground are great and will only grow over coming days and weeks. We ask partners and donors to continue to show solidarity with the people of Morocco and to help scale up our collective support to those communities hit by the earthquake. This emergency response is a marathon, not a sprint: people affected by the earthquake will need support for weeks and months to come. We will need to support them not only now, but in the future. Such a vast-scale earthquake needs long-lasting and sustainable support.” More information On the IFRC website, you can find a regularly updated webpage on the emergency response. Photos are available here. To request an interview, please contact: [email protected]  In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Andrew Thomas: +41 76 367 65 87 In Beirut: Mey Alsayegh: +961 3 229 352

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12/09/2023 |

Podcast

Jagan Chapagain: From volunteer to leader of the world's largest volunteer network

Jagan Chapagain was 14 years old when he joined the Nepal Red Cross Society as a volunteer. Now as Secretary General of the IFRC, he leads the world’s largest humanitarian volunteer network. In this debut episode, Chapagaintalks abouttoday’s greatest humanitarian challenges and opportunities, and he explains why we need to change the way we think and talk about the critical work of helping others through crisis.He also shares what inspired his own personal humanitarian journey.

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