Disaster management

15 days of action: Well before Hurricane Melissa struck, the Red Cross was on full alert, helping people get ready. Now, they’re at the heart of the response

For the people who lived through Hurricane Melissa, it was a storm like no other they had ever experienced.Melissa made landfall in southwestern Jamaica on 28 October as a Category 5 hurricane, with winds exceeding 160 mph, making it the most severe storm to hit the island in known history. Then, itmoved eastward towards Cuba, where it struck twelve hours later as a Category 3 hurricane.Fortunately, the severity of the hurricane was not entirely unexpected. Thanks to forecasts, the Red Cross network in the region had already begun preparing for the storm. A week before landfall, when the first weather forecasts showed the formation of Hurricane Melissa and its possible paths in the central Caribbean, the Red Cross was already active, coordinating with local groups and agencies, warning the communities and helping them prepare, and placing critical supplies in places where they were likely to be needed most. Local Red Cross teams in Cuba, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Haiti, activated their contingency plans and began preparing communities for what would become one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic. The damage in Jamaica was devastating. The government estimates that losses amount to around 30 percent of the national GDP. Flooding destroyed roads and damaged crops, leaving more than 70 percent of the population without electricity. Around 7,200 people sought shelter in the 881shelters that were opened across the country, eight of which are still being managed by the Jamaican Red Cross.“It was very traumatic. I lost my storeroom, my shed down there, and the water in the gully was rising. When I peeped through the window and saw the kind of breeze along with the rain, it was very traumatic,” says Mr. Lawrence, Doctor, former Emergency Chair for the Red Cross St Elizabeth branch. “As you can see, all my fruit trees have died. The fish that I feed every morning they turned over, they all swam away.”In Cuba, winds of up to 195 km/h and heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, interrupting basic services. It is estimated that 2.2 million people have been severely affected.“We were not able to arrive to Santiago because the road is blocked by what is full of water,” said Nicolás Segura, IFRC’s Disaster Response Coordinator for the Latin Caribbean.“We were able to see a lot of damage, a lot of devastation, a lot of dead animals on the road and also a couple of road accidents and people trying to get to their houses, trying to recover everything.”Anticipatory action saves livesIn Jamaica, the Red Cross launched preventive measures in eight high-risk parishes, supported by the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). Volunteers visited at-risk communities to disseminate early warning messages, prepared shelters and distributed essential items.. Thanks to these measures, more than 300 people and five institutions received essential non-food items and preparedness support well before the storm made landfall.Meanwhile, the Cuban Red Cross activated its contingency plan for hydrometeorological events, deploying staff and volunteers to vulnerable areas. They reinforced community communications, checked evacuation centres and pre-positioned humanitarian aid kits and rescue equipment in provinces such as Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Holguín. This advance preparation meant that, when Melissa finally made landfall, both National Societies were ready to respond immediately without wasting any critical time. From day one, teams on both islands have been working tirelessly. The Jamaica Red Cross mobilised 400 volunteers and immediately distributed 750 blankets, 250 cleaning kits, 250 hygiene kits, 250 shelter tool kits and 500 tarpaulins. In Cuba, specialised brigades have supported evacuations, rescued over 500 people, and provided psychosocial support to families in crisis.International appeals for recovery supportThe scale of the disaster has prompted the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to launch two emergency appeals to strengthen operations in both countries. The emergency appeal in Jamaica aims to raise 19 million Swiss francs (US$23 million) to assist 180,000 people over the next two years. The operation will provide shelter, livelihoods, and cashassistance, helping families rebuild safely and recover with dignity.Special attention will be given to single mothers, families with young children or older adults, and people with disabilities. All interventions will be guided by protection, gender inclusion and community engagement and accountability, ensuring that assistance is fair and transparent, and helping communities prepare for future climate crises. In Cuba, the emergency appeal aims to raise CHF 15 million (USD 18 million) to support 100,000 people in the worst-affected provinces. The operation combines emergency relief, early recovery, and long-term resilience, helping families rebuild homes, restore safe water, and recover their health and livelihoods.This two-year appeal invests in climate-resilient reconstruction. Families will receive roofing kits, tools, and training in safe, sustainable building techniques, along with solar-powered water systems to secure clean water even when power fails. The goal: help communities recover today and then have what they need to resist tomorrow’s storms.Active global networkIn the seven days following the storm, the Red Cross's global network delivered over 180 tonnes of humanitarian supplies to the Caribbean. These included shelter kits, cleaning kits, kitchen sets, hygiene kits, jerry cans, buckets and blankets. On Sunday, 2 November, an IFRC charter flight landed in Santiago de Cuba with the first 20 tons of humanitarian aid for those affected by Hurricane Melissa. 'We are in the warehouses where we have our 20-tonne load of humanitarian aid that arrived recently. Our objective is to check it and establish distribution guidelines', said Luis Enrique Calderón Rodríguez on 4 November. He is the Head of Operations and Rescue at the Cuban Red Cross. 'We have already verified that the loads are ready and that we can begin delivering to families today.'This shipmentenables the Cuban Red Cross to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to 1,500 people in the most affected areas, including kitchen kits, hygiene kits, bedding, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, shelter tool kits and plastic sheeting.In Jamaica, 160 tons of Red Cross humanitarian aid arrived in the seven days following Melissa's landfall. Shipments reinforce local distribution, enabling thousands of families to receive hygiene, cleaning, and cooking items in the early days of the emergency. These actions were made possible by international solidarity. The Canadian Red Cross, the French Red Cross's Regional Intervention Platform of the Americas-Caribbean (PIRAC) and the IFRC's Regional Logistics Centre in Panama coordinated the shipment of supplies by air and sea to ensure aid reached those most in need quickly. Volunteers from the Cuban and Jamaican Red Cross Societies, meanwhile, are still extremely busy throughout the region, carrying out damage and needs assessments, distributing emergency supplies, cleaning up and providing emotional support.Helping people cope with shock and lossNot all the support being provided comes in the form of physical goods or supplies.There is a strong and widespread need for psychosocial support in the worst-affected communities, including among Red Cross members. Volunteers and staff have been working tirelessly for days. Some volunteers have seen their homes completely destroyed.“We recognise that there is a very real and strong need for health services, medical care, and psychosocial support,” said Ruth Howard to BBC on October 31, Howard is the Deputy Public Relations Chair for the Jamaica Red Cross. “The psychosocial support is essential, because this has been one of the most traumatic events that many of our people have ever experienced in their lives,” she continued.Yet they continue to support those most in need, demonstrating that Red Cross help begins in communities. Every kit delivered, every safe evacuation and every hug of support is made possible by these dedicated volunteers. Hurricane Melissa reminded us once again that preparedness saves lives. The anticipatory actions implemented before the storm made landfall proved their effectiveness, making the difference between total devastation and resilience. Over the next months, the IFRC and the National Societies of Jamaica and Cuba will continue to collaborate to bolster community resilience in the face of future climate events.

03/11/2025 |

20 tons of IFRC humanitarian aid arrive in Santiago de Cuba following Hurricane Melissa

Geneva/La Habana/Panama City, 2 November 2025 – A charter flight from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) landed in Santiago de Cuba on Sunday, 2 November, carrying the first 20 tons of humanitarian aid for people affected by Hurricane Melissa.The shipment, capable of providing urgent humanitarian assistance to 1,500 people, arrived at 3:00 p.m. local time from Tocumen International Airport in Panama City. The cargo includes kitchen, hygiene, and bedding kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, shelter tools kits, and plastic sheeting, which the Cuban Red Cross will distribute in the hardest hit areas.The hygiene kits contain essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, shampoo, menstrual hygiene products, towels, and toilet paper, all designed to help families maintain their health and personal care after the storm. Together with the mosquito nets, these supplies are crucial to prevent disease in areas where access to water and sanitation services has been disrupted.The bedding kits include items such as sheets and pillows, helping families who lost their homes rest more comfortably in temporary shelters. Complementing these efforts, the shelter tools will support the cleaning and reconstruction tasks, and the kitchen kits will provide cooking and serving utensils for five people. Together, these kits support daily life, health, and recovery.“While the Cuban Red Cross continues to support rescue efforts, damage assessments, and psychosocial assistance, the IFRC has activated all its international support mechanisms to mobilize aid in record time,” said Marianna Kuttothara, IFRC Head of Health, Disasters and Crises for the Americas. “Just three days after Hurricane Melissa, humanitarian supplies were ready for dispatch and will now be distributed with humanity and commitment to those most in need.”This rapid delivery of aid was made possible thanks to the IFRC’s prepositioned humanitarian stock at its Humanitarian Hub in Panama, where the organization stores enough relief items to assist 20,000 people within 48 to 72 hours after a disaster.These first 20 tons of relief are part of the IFRC’s broader effort to ensure a fast, high-quality humanitarian response. They complement the recently launched Emergency Appeal for 15 million Swiss francs (approximately USD 18 million), aimed at supporting 100,000 people in Cuba over the next two years.This humanitarian operation combines immediate response efforts—such as the distribution of essential items and search and rescue operations—with early recovery and long-term resilience, helping families rebuild their homes, restore access to safe water, and recover their health and livelihoods.Pictures of the cargo available here: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~df43f74ef9For more information, please contact: [email protected] In Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199   María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

02/11/2025 |

IFRC sends first 64 tons of humanitarian aid to Jamaica after the passage of Hurricane Melissa

Panama City, November 1, 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has dispatched the first 64 tons of humanitarian aid to Jamaica to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa.The first shipment, totaling 34 tons, departed on a charter flight from Tocumen International Airport in Panama City to Kingston on Saturday at 2 p.m. local time. The cargo, sent by the Red Cross, includes 1,500 shelter kits, 1,000 solar lamps, and 3,500 plastic tarpaulins.The shelter kits contain essential tools such as hammers, saws, nails, and wire, allowing families to repair or rebuild damaged structures and set up temporary shelters using local materials. Along with the tarpaulins, these items help people who have lost their homes regain safety, privacy, and dignity after the hurricane.The solar lamps, which can be used for both lighting and charging electronic devices, will enable affected families to move safely at night and maintain autonomy. They can also use the lamps to charge their phones and stay connected with their loved ones.“After focusing on preparedness and early action before Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, our teams in Jamaica are now conducting damage assessments, managing shelters, and distributing the relief items we had prepositioned in the country,” said Marianna Kuttothara, IFRC Health, Disaster and Crisis Head for the Americas. “This new shipment from Panama will help ensure that more people quickly receive the essential items they need to protect their health, clean and rehabilitate their homes, and restore their well-being.”In addition to the air shipment, another 30 tons of humanitarian supplies are already en route to Jamaica by sea, aboard a vessel that departed from Panama on Wednesday, October 29. This cargo includes tarpaulins, shelter toolkits, cleaning kits, kitchen sets, plastic jerrycans for water storage, buckets, blankets, and other essential household items.These first 64 tons are part of IFRC’s efforts to ensure a fast and effective humanitarian response. The organization has also launched an emergency appeal for 19 million Swiss francs (approximately 23 million U.S. dollars) to assist 180,000 people over the next two years.This rapid deployment of aid is possible thanks to IFRC’s prepositioning strategy. At the Panamanian government’s Regional Logistics Centre for Humanitarian Assistance in Panama City, the IFRC operates a humanitarian hub stocked with essential relief items ready for immediate distribution. From this location, the organization can provide assistance to up to 60,000 people within the first days following a hurricane’s impact.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Panama:Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199   María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090  In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

17/10/2025 |

Voices that pave the way: Women's leadership in humanitarian action

31/07/2025 |

IFRC statement at UN Palestine Conference: More aid must reach Gaza now

Statement at High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State SolutionIFRC statement for the plenary session delivered by IFRC Humanitarian Affairs Advisor, Andrea Canepa on behalf of IFRC Permanent Observer Dylan Winder.Thank you to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and France for organising this important conference.Much has been said on the unbearable situation being faced by people in Palestine and the challenges humanitarian actors are facing.The humanitarian space to provide life-saving goods and services has been rendered almost non-existent. We have called, since the beginning of this conflict, for an immediate, sustained and unhindered flow of aid to be allowed into Gaza, at the scale needed to meet the immense needs, and in line with universally accepted international rules and principles. This has perhaps never been more urgent as we hear from our Palestine Red Cresent Society colleagues in Gaza. They are receiving people fainting and sick due to hunger at their medical facilities, whilst they cannot even feed themselves or their own children. Member States must ensure access for humanitarian assistance and protection, and they must consider and address the conditions and specific access challenges facing local humanitarian actors such as PRCS. Local humanitarians are often far from the limelight, but they are the ones sustaining what is left of the humanitarian response. PRCS continues to provide a wide array of health services across Gaza, including ambulances and field hospitals, adapting to impossible operational conditions to maintain services and reach people where they are.We cannot accept any mechanism that does not allow humanitarian aid to be distributed in accordance with humanitarian principles. As we have seen, this strips human beings of their dignity, fails to respond to the level and complexity of needs, and creates drastic security risks, including people being killed and injured. PRCS ambulances and hospitals are having to deal with regular mass casualty events with people reporting they were trying to access food at distribution sites. We call on Member States to support longstanding and accepted modes of aid delivery specifically designed to meet humanitarian needs and to protect the dignity and life of the population affected, recognizing the role of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and all those impartially providing a life-saving response.Excellencies,We are also facing a crisis in the protection of civilians, including of humanitarian and medical personnel. Since the start of this crisis, more than 50 PRCS staff and volunteers have been killed, including 30 in the line of duty. This cannot continue. Failure to protect humanitarian workers in Palestine leaves them unprotected everywhere. We have seen Red Cross Red Crescent staff and volunteers killed in the line of duty around the world, including in Magen David Adom, the National Society of Israel. Concrete measures are needed by Member States to provide accountability to the victims, halt further attacks and reinstate respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblem and all humanitarians. This includes ensuring there is accountability for the killing of 8 PRCS members, alongside 7 fellow medics, in March this year, in an attack that was not the first nor the last, but that shocked our collective conscience.We recognize the continuation of the hostage situation, and of the medical and humanitarian personnel being deprived of liberty and call for respect for the life and dignity of all people affected.Lastly, despite its relentless efforts, PRCS is facing extreme and mounting challenges to its operations in Gaza, but also in the West Bank. Conditions and access restrictions in the West Bank severely impact the population and PRCS’ ability to reach people in need. Member States can and must ensure this Conference leads to immediate action to address and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the West Bank, that appropriately address the root causes, and to support and protect the indispensable role of PRCS within the healthcare and humanitarian response. This is a humanitarian catastrophe. More aid must reach Gaza now.Thank you.

28/04/2025 |

Myanmar earthquake one-month on: needs remain massive

Mandalay/Yangon/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 28 April –One month after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025, humanitarian needs continue to be immense in a country that is both grieving and grappling with new threats - with the imminent arrival of the cyclone and monsoon seasons. The IFRC, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Red Cross and Crescent partners continue to work intensively at the heart of the communities most affected to ensure critical needs are met.Conditions on the ground continue to be very challenging. More than 50,000 buildings have been destroyed, and many more have partially collapsed or are at risk of collapse. Over 198,000 people have been displaced and continue to live outdoors in temperatures of up to forty degrees Celsius, living with an overwhelming fear of further aftershocks. Myanmar’s cyclone season starts within days, exposing coastal populations to strong winds and rains – leaving families to face the risks of floods, landslides and extreme heat.Immediate humanitarian aid remains vital, with IFRC’s efforts also now shifting to focus on early recovery needs. This includes access to more permanent shelter with people’s basic needs being met, as well as sustainable access to water and sanitation and support to help restore shattered livelihoods. These medium and longer-term needs are becoming an important focus of IFRC’s efforts, working alongside the Myanmar Red Cross Society and Red Cross and Crescent partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The sheer geographical scale and magnitude of the disaster – with over 1.3 million people affected over five states and regions of the country - means more international funding is urgently needed.The IFRC launched a 100 million Swiss Francs Emergency Appeal in the immediate aftermath of the disaster – most of which will be invested over two years to reach 100,000 people. This, in a country where people have faced multiple shocks in recent years, including unprecedented floods only seven months ago and ongoing hostilities. But to date, this IFRC appeal is only 15% funded, leaving a massive gap.IFRC and MRCS have been active since day one and are continuing to provide comprehensive humanitarian services in Bago, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Sagaing and Southern Shan. The MRCS has access to the vast majority of the areas impacted by the earthquake and has conducted rapid needs assessments with the IFRC and in coordination with humanitarian agencies. The main needs identified are healthcare, shelter, food, water and sanitation, providing cash and emergency relief items, while addressing specific needs of the young, elderly or disabled.MRCS has reached over 84,000 people with assistance to date. Over 20,000 litres of clean drinking water are being distributed daily, and 250 metric tonnes of relief items have arrived in the country. The IFRC has also deployed 24 Rapid Response personnel from its network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – some 65 per cent of whom are women. But while immediate needs remain critical, Myanmar’s recovery will be a long road, with strong international support needed in the months ahead.“Initial assistance and comprehensive coverage of needs are essential to enable people to begin rebuilding their lives and livelihoods in a context where time is of the essence”, said Nadia Khoury, Head of Delegation of the IFRC in Myanmar.“Before the earthquake, the Myanmar Red Cross was already present in so much of the affected areas and will continue to remain present - assisting communities in temporary camps, monasteries, mosques, and churches. Its inspiring and dedicated volunteers have the trust, reach and local knowledge to make a real difference in affected communities. But this is not only about immediate needs – the road to recovery for these populations will be long. Investment is critical, not just for today but for the future.”The recovery work constitutes the bulk of the CHF 100 million appeal. This includes restoring livelihoods and community resilience - cash and voucher assistance, transitional shelter, sanitation, agricultural support and vocational training. Community based disaster risk reduction, addressing public health in emergencies, rehabilitation of community infrastructure such as clinics, schools, access to water will also be planned through investment in national humanitarian actors such as the Myanmar Red Cross who are able to provide the most effective and impactful humanitarian assistance.IFRC thanks its donors and its member Red Cross Red Crescent Societies for their valued support through in-kind resources and funding.IFRC continues to call on donors, partners and the international community to provide support to meet the needs of the people of Myanmar, now and in the months ahead.For more information on the ongoing relief efforts in Myanmar or to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected] Yangon:Swe Zin Myo Win,+95 979 595 6050In Kuala Lumpur:Maryann Horne, +61 476 006 007In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09Note to editorsAV materials are available in this link.

16/10/2024 |

Behind the scenes: ‘The new normal’ means the job of getting ready for disaster never ends

Central Europe is experiencing its biggest floods in decades. But that is only the latest round ofclimate-related phenomena — from heat and cold waves, to storms, wildfires and landslides — that have pushed many communities to the breaking point.As some worry this is becoming ‘the new normal’, those whose job it is to protect people from these emergencies say preparing for multiple, overlapping crisis will become more important than ever.“As Europe is warming much faster than the rest of the world, floods are occurring more frequently and with more unpredictability,”says Andreas von Weissenberg, the IFRC’s Head of Health, Disasters, Climate and Crises in Europe. “Scaling up climate adaptation action and strengthening preparedness is a must.”But what does that mean in a region already dealing with an international conflict, mass migration, an increase in communicable diseases, continuedrisk of earthquakes,as well as human-induced disasters such as industrial and transportation accidents?For Red Cross and RedCrescent National Societies, it means continuing to play a key role in helping people and communities prepare for future crisis, even while responding to ongoing emergencies.“Europe and Central Asia is a large and complex region that is facing an unprecedented escalation in several types of hazards, in addition to the risk of recurrent and severe flooding,” saysMegan Krolik, IFRC’s National Society Preparedness Coordinator for Europe.Even as communities struggle to recover from floods, wildfires or earthquakes, they must also be thinking about — and getting ready for — whatever comes next. As part of these affected communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies must address these challenges head on.“It is more important than ever to ensure that we have the necessary skills, resources, and capacities to effectively manage domestic disaster responses, as well as the larger, cross-border humanitarian crises, both of which are becoming more and more frequent,” Krolik says.‘Sustainable preparedness’National Societies impacted by the Ukraine conflict have seen first-hand the need to scale up their own institutional preparedness.“In the past year of the emergency response operation in Ukraine and the impacted countries, the operational preparedness of National Societies has become a clear priority,”says Krolik, adding that the lessons learned from this experience are being turned into operational analyses that enable National Societies to make a high level of preparedness sustainable over the long term.In addition, operational reviews required as part of IFRC’s funding mechanisms help the IFRC and National Societies analyze hazards and challenges, as well as the capacity of each National Society, and then develop the best possible preparedness strategies.The IFRC has also been working with National Societies on a range of preparedness efforts across Europe and Central Asia:• The creation of 11 new Emergency Operation Centres to help coordinate regional responses.• The launch of a new platform, called X-Stock, by five National Societies in southeastern Europe, for managing warehouse space and relief supplies in real time.• The participations of more National Societies in regional and national emergency simulations.• Scaling up of disaster response team training on many aspects of emergency response.The Slovak Red Cross is one of the National Societies going through this preparedness transformation.“Over the past two and a half years, we have witnessed an influx of displaced people from Ukraine,” saysKatarína Rakická, Operations Manager at the Slovak Red Cross (SRC). “The SRC has been engaged in the provision of support and services for the displaced population that was transiting through the country, as well as for those who have decided to stay and settle down.” Due to the complex situation, there is a renewed commitment to National Society strengthening.“We have prioritized disaster preparedness and have developed a work plan to strengthen our response capacity, with a particular emphasis on migration,” Katarína states.The Slovak Red Cross is not the only National Society in the region putting its response capacity to the test.The Lithuanian Red Cross has a highly skilled staff and a willingness to further develop its disaster management team. But prior to the Ukraine conflict, it had never been involved in such a large-scale emergency response.“The arrival of migrants and refugees from Ukraine has provided the Lithuanian Red Cross with significant experience in handling emergencies," notes Eray Atay, IFRC’s Senior Preparedness Officer in Europe. "This situation has helped them develop their operations, expand their teams, and enhance their response capacities.”A shared concernNow the Lithuanian Red Cross, along with other European National Societies, is going even further by developing contingency planning for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) events. This is particularly relevant due to the proximity of a nuclear power plant to the Lithuanian border.“This concern is shared by other National Societies in the Baltic region and in Central Europe,” Eray says. “This is due to the presence of numerous nuclear and chemical plants, and the potential for accidents or conflict-related incidents.”CBRN preparedness is a key topic in the Preparedness for Effective Response (PER) workshops which the IFRC is rolling out across the region.“Developing contingency plans tailored to each National Society's mandate and capacities is crucial,”Eray adds.“These plans help National Societies in the region to define their roles and responsibilities, ensuring they can effectively respond to various disaster scenarios that may impact their countries.” Sharing regional stockpilesThe COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for regional preparedness, and in particular, cross-border stockpiling and transportation strategies, according to Nebojsa Medojevic, IFRC Disaster and Crisis Preparedness Delegate in Europe.This is one reason that five National Societies in the southeast European region created the X-Stock Platform for managing warehouse space on a regional basis.This helps them enhance cross-border emergency management through shared real-time management of emergency stock.“The X-STOCK platform was created as a virtual warehouse to improve regional preparedness, enabling real-time stock management and facilitating emergency relief”, he says.The fact that 11 European National Societies have establishedEmergency Operations Centers (EOCs) will also helpNational Societies strengthen crisis management, internal communication and data analysis, he adds.“EOCs have played a crucial role in monitoring and responding to emergencies,”according to Nebojsa. “Many National Societies have extended the concept to their field branches, based on exposure and vulnerability to potential future disasters.”

15/08/2024 |

‘We will be there for them’: In communities most vulnerable to storms, volunteers rise to the challenge

In the Cox’s Bazar camps of Bangladesh, where cyclones pose a perpetual threat, a remarkable group of individuals emerges as the unsung heroes of disaster preparedness and response.Numbering around 3,300, these Red Cross Red Crescent volunteers serve as the bedrock of community readiness and emergency response within the camp settlement.Dil Mohammed, aged 46, is one of them. "People know we will be there for them if they need us during any disaster," he says.Trained and prepared by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Dil Mohammed and his fellow volunteers play a pivotal role in disseminating cyclone early warning information and facilitating anticipatory actions to reduce the unprecedented loss and damage that cyclones can bring.The cyclone seasons in Bangladesh, spanning from April to May and October to November, are periods of heightened alertness. Since 2018, the volunteers have received training on disaster preparedness and the camp’s early warning system, as well as safety gear and early warning equipment.As cyclone Mocha approached in May 2023, for example, these volunteers sprang into action. Dil Mohammed recalls their swift response: "When cyclone signal 1 was announced, we immediately got the news and started verbal messaging among the people living in my camp. After receiving the cyclone signal 4 announcement, we hoisted 1 cyclone signal flag and disseminated signal information through megaphones across the camp."While male volunteers focused on informing the broader community, their female counterparts played a vital role in raising awareness among the female members of the camp community."We reached out door-to-door, making a tremendous impact in our community, where 52 per cent of the population is female," says Dil Kayas, a female volunteer from camp 8W.Another woman volunteer in Camp 7, Minara sais "the learnings enabled me to support my own community people during their need".Along with other volunteers, Minara helps facilitate block-level awareness sessions, ensuring that even those who were unable to attend large-scale events receive vital cyclone preparedness information.Minara also used her first-aid training to provide immediate assistance to her injured nephew, showcasing the real-world impact of capacity enhancement initiatives within the camps.As the cyclone threat escalated, the volunteers doubled their efforts. Dil Mohammed explains, "When we heard that signal 8 was announced, we hoisted 3 signal flags and started using sirens, megaphones, mosque microphones, and every available communication tool to ensure that every camp resident knew about the impending danger."Recognizing that women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are the most vulnerable during disasters, the volunteers devised a plan to ensure their safety. They maintained a list of households with “extremely vulnerbale individuals” and once the first flag was hoisted, they visited every such household, offering reassurance and readiness to help.In one instance, a pregnant woman approached the volunteers, expressing concern about her fragile shelter's ability to withstand the cyclone. The volunteers, in coordination with site management, arranged her relocation to a nearby family's shelter, prioritizing her safety and well-being.Dil Kayas and Dil Mohammed continued their efforts, using megaphones to disseminate signal information. They advised community members to secure their shelters and protect important documents in plastic bags.They also highlighted the availability of communal shelters for emergency use. As a result of their messages, the community actively participated in securing their shelters, with women playing a proactive role.After the cyclone's passag, they swiftly transitioned to post-cyclone responsibilities, conducting assessments to measure the extent of the damage in their respective camps and identifying those in need of emergency assistance. They also engaged in the demanding task of clearing roads and paths, ensuring access and communication within the camps.“After the landfall of cyclone Mocha, we started cleaning the roads in the camp blocks,” says Mahabu Alam, a young volunteer from camp 1W. “Trees were uprooted, debris scattered, hindering accessibility."Similar stories unfolding in other settlementsCox’s Bazar is not the only place where people displaced from Myanmar are making a difference in their own communities.In some cases, the volunteers include people whose families came to Bangladesh from Mryanmar in earlier years.Inthe Basan Char settlement, Bangladesh Red Crescent volunteerJafor Alamwheels a bicycle full of tools used for cleaning debris from water canals. If these canals get blocks during heavy rains, the result can be sudden flooding.Volunteers like Nur Hossain, meanwhile, play an important role in ensuring the maintenance and functionality of essential shelter infrastructure. An experienced foreman, Hossain has worked in various places in Chittagong, one the country’s largest cities.In addition to maintaining shelters, to ensure their strength and safety, he organizes awareness sessions, and resolves issues that arise at the community level under the guidance of the BDRCS team.Many also have considerable expertise in their fields.Abdul Hamid, who lives with his wife and children in Bhasan Char,joined the BDRCS Bhasan Char Operation as a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) volunteer in 2021.Due to his technical expertise and his experience with biogas initiatives, he became site-management support volunteer responsible for maintaining biogas services in Bhasan Char.In this way, Abdul Hamid plays an important role in ensuring the maintenance and functionality of essential biogas infrastructure, contributing significantly to his community's sustainability efforts.Through their actions, all these volunteers not only protect their fellow residents but also empower their communities to face cyclones and associated hazards with resilience and readiness.Story by Farhan Arafin KarimPhotos: Humayra TasnimWith editing by Al-Shahriar Rupam and Rachel Punitha

25/02/2020 |

Technological and biological hazard preparedness

Technological and biological emergencies, sometimes called 'CBRN' (short for chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear hazards), can have devastating and long lasting impacts on people's lives and livelihoods. The IFRC supports National Societies worldwide to effectively prepare for and respond to technological emergencies using a multi-hazard approach.

25/05/2022 |

ASEAN and the IFRC partner to strengthen community resilience in Southeast Asia

Jakarta, 25 May 2022 -The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have committed to promoting and developing their engagement in disaster management with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between ASEAN and the IFRC on the Strengthening of Community Resilience in Southeast Asia. The MOU outlines the scope and areas of cooperation between the IFRC and ASEAN to strengthen community resilience at regional, national, and local levels in the ASEAN region, including in areas such as disaster management, disaster risk reduction, disaster law, health in emergencies, disaster relief and emergency response, gender, youth, and climate change. This agreement also marks a significant milestone in ASEAN’s longstanding cooperation with the IFRC which has supported the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM) in the implementation of the ASEAN Agreement on Disaster Management and Emergency Response (AADMER) and its work programmes. The MOU was signed by the ASEAN Secretary-General H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi and the IFRC Secretary General, Mr. Jagan Chapagain, at the sidelines of the Global Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction (GPDRR) in Bali, Indonesia, in the presence of the representatives of the ACDM and the representatives of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. At the Signing Ceremony, the two leaders expressed appreciation over the progress of cooperation between ASEAN and the IFRC. Recognizing ASEAN and IFRC’s mutually beneficial roles in strengthening climate adaptation and disaster resilience in vulnerable communities in Southeast Asia, both ASEAN and the IFRC look forward to the implementation of the MOU through collaborative projects in the AADMER Work Programme 2021-2025. In his remarks, Dato Lim emphasized that “in the face of increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related disasters due to climate change, in one of the world’s most disaster-prone regions, coupled with an increasingly complex humanitarian landscape, we must build strategic partnerships to enhance our resilience as one ASEAN community.” In Mr. Chapagain’s speech reiterated that “through this partnership our common goal is to put communities in Southeast Asia at the centre by building individual and community capacities that help reduce humanitarian needs and avert loss and damage caused by the climate crisis." ASEAN countries are located in one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, ranging from earthquakes, floods, landslides and typhoons. The wide geographic stretch of incidences and increasing frequency and intensity of disasters due to climate change require ASEAN to enhance the region’s readiness and emergency response capacity. -- For more information, please email [email protected]

19/07/2021 |

What is a disaster?

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

08/04/2021 |

IFRC GO

IFRC GOis our emergency operations platform for capturing, analyzing and sharing real-time data during a crisis. It helps our networkbetter meet the needs of affected communities.

02/06/2021 |

Emergency needs assessments

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

24/05/2021 |

Supporting local humanitarian action

The IFRC is committed to supporting humanitarian action that is as local as possible, as international as necessary.Our 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are the lead actors in preparing for, responding to and helping communities recover from emergencies. In times of increased need, our global disaster response system effectively supports and coordinates their lifesaving work.

12/03/2021 |

Disaster and crisis preparedness

The number of disasters and crises continues to increase every decade, with the related impact on lives and livelihoods of those affected. Humanitarian crises are increasingly protracted, unpredictable and complex, forcing the humanitarian community in general, and the Red Cross Red Crescent in particular, to adjust its practices and tools accordingly to provide a more effective and early response to those in need.

12/03/2021 |

Disasters, climate and crises

Every year, disasters and crises have devastating impacts on people, communities and entire societies around the world.The IFRC and our 191 National Societies respond to, and workto prevent or lessen the impacts of, all types of crises and disasters. We do so for all people, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable.Our priorities are to save lives, reduce suffering and uphold human dignity.

27/01/2021 |

No more excuses! The next disaster is coming, what are you doing about it?

By Robert Kaufman, Head of Philippines Country Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Imagine getting hit by six typhoons during a deadly pandemic. For millions of people in the Philippines, this is their reality as 2020 comes crashing to a close. Predictions of the increasing severity and frequency of emergencies have come true. It’s heart-breaking, exhausting, and scary. But most of all it’s frustrating as much of this human and economic toll can be prevented. We have known about the brutal effects of climate change for a long time, yet we haven’t been doing enough to fix it. Debates about the effects of climate change or whether partners should support more preparedness are failing people. If your roof blows off three times in one month and this extreme weather happens with relentless certainty, there’s nothing to debate. It is time to prepare more for what’s coming. We know that the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, topping the charts with the most disasters of all countries the past two years. It’s number two for the past decade just behind China. We know the number of climate-related disasters has risen almost 35% since the 1990s. The stuff of Hollywood movies has become a reality for tens of millions of people around the world, as they face bigger, more violent storms and more disease outbreaks. For decades we anticipated another pandemic. Hollywood blockbusters told horror stories of contagious diseases. Since 2008, we’ve seen fantasy become reality with several pandemics, the H1N1 flu virus, SARS and now COVID-19. Yet somehow, the world has been taken by surprise. Let’s make no mistake, we have made inroads. Governments, humanitarian agencies and countless communities deserve credit for helping to save lives. Just seven years ago, the most destructive typhoon to hit the Philippines on record, Haiyan, killed close to 7,000 people. When Typhoon Goni hit in 2020, a storm as strong as Haiyan, less than 70 lives were lost. Still, I’m frustrated. Early on in management, I learned that when you spend significant time and money on something, it is a priority. Most of the time and money in the aid sector is still spent on response, as if we don’t know what’s coming; neither the humanitarian community, the policymakers, nor the big donors. Why are we not using our extraordinary capacity to anticipate crises to prioritize our time and money? What price do we need to place on the lives of people who have died or had their livelihoods ripped apart by disease and disaster before we change our priorities? Today, we largely know the types of risks we are going to face, where they are going to hit and even in many cases, when. Many of the answers are clear as day.Typhoons strike the Philippines every November and December. Floods always follow drought in East Africa. We know the risks and we know what to do about it. The latest study on the value of preparedness confirms what we already knew. Every dollar invested in reducing risks from climate-related disasters saves us $6 when we are fixing up the mess, according to the United States Institute of Building Sciences and the United Nations. Super Typhoon Goni packed the most powerful winds of any storm in the world last year. Together with typhoon Vamco and other major storms, they came at a huge cost, seriously affecting the lives of more than 8.1 million people. More than 425,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Among the millions whose livelihoods were disrupted, at least 200,000 farmers and fishermen lost their only source of income. The cost of agricultural damages totalled more than ₱12.3 billion (US260m) according to the Philippines Department of Agriculture. Together, the storms were considered the secondmost expensive typhoons on record, costing more than $US 1 billion. Money normally reserved for responding after disasters strike needs to be made available earlier and for longer-term solutions. We need to stop soil erosion, plant trees and improve drainage. We need to avoid crop wastage with better grain storage and irrigation. We need to build safer houses with stronger and more permanent foundations. We need to protect land rights and strengthen economic development and social protection programs so that people are not dependent on aid when disaster strikes. There needs to be a public accounting of how well resource allocation aligns with scientific prediction and the lessons we have learned. We must put our money where our mouth is. Failing is a dereliction of our responsibility to those most at risk and to ourselves. This past year, millions have faced often insurmountable hardships and heartache. We have a duty to protect the hope and dignity of those we pledge to support by ensuring everyone has a fair chance of a decent life. There just can’t be any more excuses.

22/07/2020 |

Financial channel opens for Iran Red Crescent to receive international humanitarian contributions

The President of the Iranian Red Crescent Society Karim Hemmati announced yesterday the opening of a financial channel for receiving international humanitarian contributions. In an interview with the Islamic Republic News Agency, Hemmati said: “According to negotiations and correspondence conducted by the President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies as well as the follow-up of our colleagues in the Iranian Red Crescent, the United States Department of the Treasury will not oppose the opening of a financial channel for the transfer of humanitarian aids to the Iranian Red Crescent, provided that the Americans are not one of the parties to the aid provided by individuals and legal entities.” “According to the agreement, in the past few days, part of the aids, which was reserved for the Iranian Red Crescent and could not be transferred for several years, has been transferred to the country,” added Hemmati. The transferred contributions will be used in purchasing medicine, food parcels and other relief items that the Iran Red Crescent might need for its humanitarian response.

30/06/2020 |

Early action to save lives in Bangladesh amid severe flood forecast

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

14/08/2019 |

Genoa bridge collapse: one year on

By Nora Peter, IFRC This time last year Paola Vicini was keeping vigil at the base of the collapsed Ponte Morandi in Genoa, anxiously waiting for any news of her missing son, Mirko. For five long days, she did not budge from the site, sleeping in a campervan provided by the Italian Red Cross, and being supported by its volunteers. “Mirko was working at a company close to the bridge. As soon as I heard about the disaster, I rushed to the red zone. Even though I knew it was impossible for him to survive under that debris, I did not give up hope,” she remembers. During those days of uncertainty and anguish, Paola was supported by Federica, an Italian Red Cross volunteer, and the two of them formed a strong bond. Federica was holding Paola’s hand when Mirko’s body was retrieved from under the ruins. “I don’t remember much from those days, but I can still recall Federica’s smile. She was my fortress.” On 14 August 2018, a 200-metre section of the four-lane bridge in Genoa, Italy, collapsed. Vehicles plunged 90 metres onto railway tracks, and buildings below, killing 43 people and injuring 29. 600 people have been displaced. Together with the military and state authorities, Italian Red Cross search and rescue teams searched for survivors for 26 hours. Two Red Cross nurses helped identify bodies at the Genoa morgue, while 15 other volunteers provided psychosocial support to the families of the victims. Altogether 500 Italian Red Cross volunteers took part in the operation that lasted for 35 days. Antonio Cecala was another who was helped by the Red Cross volunteers. “My brother and his family had left for a holiday. When I heard the news about the accident, I tried to call him, but he wouldn’t answer his phone. I got anxious and started making calls to the police and the local hospitals, but nobody had any information. So, I decided to go to Genoa to find out what happened to them,” remembers Antonio. Amid the chaos, he found support and comfort among the Red Cross volunteers who helped him in the search for his missing relatives. Days later his brother’s car was found under the ruins. Antonio was so moved by the work of the volunteers that he decided to become one of them. “Since the Red Cross gave me so much, I wanted to give something back to those in need,” he explains. A video tribute to the rescuers and volunteers, “Ponte Morandi: a year on” can be viewed here.

05/06/2019 |

Bangladesh: How Forecast-based Financing supported objective decision-making in advance of Cyclone Fani

When a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society receives a forecast of an imminent extreme weather event, one of their most urgent tasks is to decide what action to take in anticipation of a possible disaster. In the case of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, this decision-making process has become clearer and more straightforward, thanks to its improved use of scientific information, as was shown in recent weeks before the arrival of Cyclone Fani. Since 2015, the Bangladesh Red Crescent has been using a Forecast-based Financing (FbF) approach with support from the German Red Cross. As a result, when Cyclone Fani approached, decision-makers could rely on an established system which provided them with robust forecast information and served as a basis to decide, when and where to act and with what resources. The Bangladesh National Society, with support from the German Red Cross and the Red Cross and Red Crescent Climate Centre, had developed an Early Action Protocol for cyclones. This plan clearly defines forecast thresholds and details which early actions are needed, and where, to protect the population. In the days before Cyclone Fani made landfall, the Bangladesh Red Crescent set up an Activation Committee in line with its established procedures for activating the Early Action Protocol. Its role was to continuously review the meteorological data and decide if according to the forecast information the trigger for activation was met. The Activation Committee is chaired by the Deputy Secretary General of the Bangladesh Red Crescent and also includes experts from the Cyclone Preparedness Programme, the Climate Centre, German Red Cross, and IFRC. Activation of the Bangladesh EAP is being funded by the IFRC’s financial mechanism to support early action, the Forecast based Action by the DREF, which was created in May 2018. Based on the forecast information, the local branches in the coastal districts activated their control rooms, mobilized their resources, volunteers and officials for early warning and preparation of evacuation shelters. Eight members of the National Disaster Response Team were deployed in four districts (Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat and Barguna) to support the activities being conducted. In two districts, local branches with German Red Cross support also undertook a rapid stock-taking of local markets to ascertain if they were able to supply the food and relief items that would be required in case of an activation. In addition, a database of the cyclone shelters, markets and accessibility was used by all stakeholders in preparation for Cyclone Fani. The database had been developed by the FbF project and proved to be very useful in preparing districts in the cyclone’s path for evacuation, and in obtaining real-time information from the shelters through the contacts listed. The Activation Committee met several times before deciding not to activate the Early Action Protocol, as the forecasts did not meet the trigger that had been defined in the EAP and all the data and analysis suggested that the forecasted impact could be managed with resources from the local branch. Had the Committee decided for activation, the EAP Implementation Committee was there to coordinate and implement the EAP and districts were ready. Thanks to the work on FbF, there was a clear framework for decision-making and the systematic monitoring of forecasts allowed the preparations to focus on those districts that were later affected by rains, using resources efficiently. All these actions as well as the structures for coordination demonstrate the importance of forecast-based financing in supporting readiness activities and bringing all affected parties together to take anticipatory action.

02/05/2019 |