Laws of nature: How a global disaster law treaty could help island nations like Madagascar better prepare and respond to major emergencies

Fewer hurricanes do not mean less risk: IFRC ramps up preparedness across the Americas

Panama City, 1 June 2026 — Although forecasts point to a below-average hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) today recalled that high cyclonic activity is expected in the eastern Pacific. The organization called for sustained investment in preparedness, anticipatory action and early warning systems across more than 25 countries1 in Central America, North America and the Caribbean that are exposed to tropical cyclones.For the 2026 season in the Atlantic basin, which runs from 1 June to 30 November, the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) forecasts, with a 55 per cent probability, below-average cyclonic activity relative to the historical average of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.This year, NOAA notes, there would be between eight and 14 named storms. Of these, three to six would become hurricanes, including one to three major hurricanes — that is, Category 3 or higher. By contrast, the agency forecasts, with a 70 per cent probability, a more active season in the eastern Pacific Ocean, where it predicts between 15 and 22 named storms, of which nine to 14 would become hurricanes and five to nine of those would reach major hurricane strength."We will say it again and again: a single storm is enough to destroy communities, overwhelm public services, and displace and endanger hundreds of thousands of people," said Cristian Torres, Deputy Regional Director of the IFRC for the Americas. "Forecasts are critical so that we can act before disasters strike, but beyond knowing how many storms there will be, it is essential to reduce people's vulnerability, expand the coverage of early warning systems, and develop, fund and test inter-agency protocols that protect them from the multiple hazards they face," he added.As part of its commitment to preparedness, the IFRC has already prepositioned in Panama, Santo Domingo and other strategic locations across the region enough relief supplies to provide immediate assistance to up to 60,000 people affected by a large-scale emergency. The stock includes hygiene and kitchen kits, mosquito nets, tarpaulins, cleaning and construction tools, solar lamps, water treatment units and water purification supplies, among other items.Aware that mobilizing humanitarian aid in record time requires the participation, knowledge and collaboration of multiple actors, the IFRC also relies on simulation exercises as a critical tool to test crisis and disaster response mechanisms and protocols.The most recent, held this past May, aimed to measure and improve mobilization times, customs procedures and the inter-agency response capacity of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras in the face of potential flooding caused by hurricanes.The exercise involved mobilizing Red Cross water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) specialist teams and equipment across these three countries. The initiative brought together civil protection, customs and foreign affairs authorities, along with the National Red Cross Societies. It was supported by European Union humanitarian funding and the German Red Cross, and was carried out within the framework of the Regional Mechanism for International Humanitarian Assistance, the instrument of the Central American Integration System (SICA) for organizing, facilitating and coordinating humanitarian assistance among its member countries.Another of the preparedness measures driven by the IFRC ahead of the hurricane season is the adoption of early action protocols. These protocols bring together measures agreed in advance among communities, authorities, and the Red Cross, which are triggered when certain risk thresholds are reached. Depending on the context, these actions may include cash transfers ahead of an emergency to protect homes and livelihoods, the relocation of essential goods, the reinforcement of critical infrastructure, or the evacuation of people in situations of greater vulnerability.When these systems work, communities receive timely alerts, authorities have more time to coordinate evacuations, and humanitarian teams can mobilize aid before the impact occurs. In Central America alone, the IFRC currently has five early action protocols for floods and tropical storms, financially supported by its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF)."Prepositioning relief items, simulation exercises and early action protocols make it possible to protect lives, reduce economic losses and speed up recovery after a disaster," Torres explained. "But rules can also save lives and build community resilience, which is why we call on all countries in the region to advance the international treaty for the protection of persons in disaster situations, currently under consultation at the United Nations."This treaty seeks to ensure that the protection of people exposed to or affected by disasters does not depend on chance, but on clear commitments and coordinated action. Its adoption, expected in 2027, would facilitate international cooperation and reduce the obstacles that can delay the arrival of aid. It would also improve the conditions for Red Cross Societies, as auxiliary to the public powers, to continue assisting the most vulnerable people: women, girls, older people, people on the move or with disabilities, and communities affected by violence and poverty.This season, shaped by the influence of the coming El Niño phenomenon, illustrates how risk can shift and take different forms across the continent. While Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic continue to recover from hurricanes Beryl, Oscar, Rafael and Melissa, other areas face different threats. The Central American Dry Corridor, parts of Chile and areas of the Andean region are bracing for possible droughts, while Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay anticipate heavy rains and flooding.In all of them, Red Cross teams are already working with communities to get ready.Against this backdrop, where climate, health and social risks accumulate and overlap with growing frequency, the IFRC calls for investing without delay in measures that enable States, communities and the Red Cross itself to better protect people in the face of multi-hazard scenarios. Because, as underscored at IFRC's recent XXXIII Pre-Hurricane and Recurrent Hazards Conference, when risks pile up, the difference between a hazard and a humanitarian crisis is usually decided before the impact — in the level of preparedness already in place, and in the capacity to act before the disaster occurs.For more information: [email protected] Panama: Susana Arroyo +50769993199In Geneva: Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 83 96

IFRC strengthens disaster readiness across Asia Pacific, delivering better value from humanitarian investment

Kuala Lumpur / Geneva, 7 May 2026 — As humanitarian needs grow faster than available resources, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is strengthening disaster preparedness across Asia Pacific to ensure earlier action, faster response, and better use of humanitarian funding.Between July 2025 and April 2026, the “Becoming Disaster Ready” Asia Pacific National Society Preparedness and Readiness Programme accelerated the shift from reactive crisis response to a preparedness-led, regionally coordinated readiness system. The programme aligns with the Asia Pacific National Society Preparedness (NSP) Strategic Plan 2025–2028 and supports National Societies to anticipate risks, mobilise faster, and respond at scale when disasters strike.“Every Swiss franc invested in preparedness is a choice to save more lives with fewer resources,” said Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific. “By strengthening systems, coordination and readiness before disasters strike, National Societies are able to respond faster, avoid costly delays, and scale up effectively when needs are highest. In an era of growing risks and constrained humanitarian funding, preparedness is one of the most responsible and impactful investments we can make.”Stronger systems, lower response costsA central achievement of the programme has been the establishment of a regional management and coordination structure for preparedness, bringing IFRC and Partner National Societies together through an Asia Pacific NSP Core Working Group. The structure improves alignment of technical support, reduces duplication, and lays the foundation for a future Asia Pacific Preparedness Hub to enable peer-to-peer exchange and adaptation of preparedness tools across contexts.In 2025, IFRC also completed a regionwide capacity mapping of preparedness and response assets—including Emergency Operations Centres, National Disaster Response Teams, surge capacity and Emergency Response Units. Combined with a donor support mapping, this provides a clear evidence base for directing investments where they deliver the greatest preparedness return, helping ensure funding is used strategically and efficiently.Readiness that delivers faster resultsOperational readiness has been strengthened through the Surge Ready tool, developed in Asia Pacific and now adopted globally. The tool provides a common framework to assess and improve emergency readiness across National Societies, Emergency Response Units and IFRC delegations, in line with minimum quality and safeguarding standards approved in 2025. Better surge readiness translates into faster deployment, improved coordination, and reduced delays during emergencies.The region has also advanced Emergency Response Unit readiness, with several National Societies strengthening certification and peer‑to‑peer cooperation, contributing to both regional and global surge capacity. In Southeast Asia, discussions to establish a regional WASH Emergency Response Unit would further increase collective readiness and reduce reliance on ad‑hoc arrangements during major crises.Preparedness beyond response assetsInvestments under the programme extend beyond hardware and teams. National Societies have strengthened preparedness across health and pandemic readiness, WASH, anticipatory action, cash and voucher assistance preparedness, disaster law and auxiliary role, logistics, protection, gender and inclusion, and community engagement and accountability - all critical enablers of effective, accountable response.Capacity data shows that while most National Societies are operationally ready to respond, preparedness remains uneven in areas such as contingency planning, early action and enabling systems. Addressing these gaps before disasters strike reduces operational risk and helps avoid higher response costs later.Tracking impact and guiding future investmentProgramme impact is measured through annual capacity mapping and PER cycle progress, consolidated in a regional dashboard that tracks year‑on‑year maturity gains and remaining gaps. This enables IFRC and partners to demonstrate results, prioritise investment and maximise preparedness outcomes.By strengthening readiness before crises occur, IFRC’s Asia Pacific preparedness investments are delivering greater humanitarian impact per franc invested, helping National Societies respond faster, better coordinated and at scale in an increasingly complex risk environment.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575About IFRC       IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian network, comprising 191 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies working to save lives and promote dignity around the world.  ifrc.org | X (Formerly Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Threads | LinkedIn 

The 2026 'El Niño': How are we preparing for its impact on Latin America and the Caribbean?

The'El Niño'phenomenon is now in its active phase. Sea surface temperatures in the central and tropical Pacific have already exceeded the 0.5 °C above-average threshold established to define an 'El Niño' event. In addition, winds over the equatorial Pacific have begun to shift direction, carrying warm waters toward South America, indicating that the atmosphere is responding to the warming of the ocean. When this occurs, the presence of'El Niño'is officially confirmed.1. Why is there talk of a 'Super El Niño' this year? For the 'El Niño' phenomenon to be officially declared, the temperature of the Pacific Ocean need only rise 0.5°C above the historical average. For 2026, forecasts indicate a 63% probability of a strong El Niño, meaning that sea surface temperatures in the Pacific region will exceed 2.0 °C.It is these expected values that have led to terms such as 'Super El Niño' being used to describe a strong 'El Niño ', as was the case in 2015 with 'Godzilla El Niño'. The transition from cooling conditions (La Niña) to extreme warming has been much faster than usual, forcing humanitarian organizations such as the IFRC to scale up their preparedness levels immediately.2. What impact will 'El Niño' have on Central America and the Caribbean?'El Niño' does not affect the entire continent in the same way. One of the greatest concerns in the north is the reduction in rainfall. In Central America and the Caribbean, 'El Niño' typically manifests as a significant reduction in cumulative rainfall. This does not mean there is no rain at all, but rather that the pattern of precipitation is irregular and insufficient to sustain traditional agricultural cycles. The Central American Dry Corridor is one of the regions where the impact is particularly severe, with prolonged water deficits directly threatening food security and the livelihoods of thousands of families. Water scarcity affects not only crops but also increases public health risks related to access to safe water and hygiene. 3. What effects are expected from 'El Niño' in South America?Unlike in the north, 'El Niño' has the opposite effect in the southern part of the continent. While countries such as Colombia, Venezuela and northern Brazil face drier conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, regions in southern Brazil, Uruguay, northern Argentina and central Chile must prepare for above-average rainfall. This geographical contrast within the same continent means that the Red Cross and its partners must implement different strategies. 4. What is the forecast for the hurricane season under the 'El Niño' 2026?Historically, there has been a direct correlation between the presence of a strong 'El Niño' phenomenon and a decrease in the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones in the Atlantic basin. In the Pacific, where hurricanes also occur, rising sea temperatures combined with changes in wind patterns caused by 'El Niño' can create conditions that are more favorable for storm formation. Forecasts indicate that the Atlantic will see below-average cyclonic activity, with fewer than the historical average of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.Meanwhile, forecasts for the Pacific predict between 15 and 22 named storms, of which between nine and 14 are expected to become hurricanes, and between five and nine of those are expected to become major hurricanes.Regardless of the forecast, evidence shows that one single tropical storm forming and making landfall can devastate entire communities. Decades of working with communities at risk from hurricanes have taught the Red Cross that the most efficient, effective and ethical approach is to invest in preparedness and early response initiatives to protect communities and their livelihoods. 5. How do we prepare for the impacts of 'El Niño'? The Red Cross network's main strategy for addressing this phenomenon is anticipatory action, which refers to any action taken before a crisis occurs with the aim of preventing or reducing the potential impacts of a disaster. The Climate Centre collaborates with National Societies to update Early Action Protocols, enabling the immediate release of emergency funding when specific scientific thresholds are met.Three Early Action Protocols have already been activated in the Americas region. Red Cross teams in El Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia developed their protocols to protect over 22,000 people at the first signs of drought.The Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has allocated 1.2 million Swiss francs (CHF)—about 1.5 million U.S. dollars—for early action in response to the drought in the three countries. This funding is not allocated all at once: it is released in stages as forecasts reach risk thresholds agreed upon in advance by communities, authorities, and the Red Cross, so that each tranche of aid is mobilized just before the impact and not after.These funds will provide assistance to 10,000 people in the El Salvadoran departments of Morazán and La Unión; 10,000 more in Guatemalan municipalities in the Dry Corridor, such as Chiquimula, Jalapa, and Quetzaltenango; and 2,400 in Colombia's Tolima and Cesar departments.The Red Cross will support the most vulnerable families by providing them with cash to purchase food, fuel, and other necessities, helping them to avoid depleting their own resources. The Red Cross will also provide drinking water when sources begin to run low, supplies to care for crops and livestock, and training in adaptive agricultural practices, hygiene, and the prevention of heat-related illness. For countries that do not yet have these formal protocols, the IFRC network offers technical assistance tools and access to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF for imminent events. The aim is to anticipate risks, strengthen preparedness and use scientific evidence to protect households, ensure effective humanitarian assistance and safeguard community health before the effects of 'El Niño' peak.Where can I find more information?Our Early Warning, Early Action pageRed Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre websiteAnticipation Hub websiteAnticipatory Pillar of the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund

Alliance for the Amazon: For a resilient and sustainable future

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.

5 things you need to know about storms and hurricanes

The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is still active in the Americas. Meteorologists, disaster management experts and public authorities are keeping a close eye on hurricane Melissa, the 13th storm of the year, which is currently moving slowly towards Jamaica.Out of the 19 storms forecast this year, 13 have formed. Four of those became hurricanes categorised as either 1 or 2. Three of these reached major hurricane status, meaning Category 3 or higher.But how much do we really know about how storms and hurricanes form, their characteristics, and how to prepare for them? Below, we answer five of the most common questions about storms and hurricanes.️️1. What is the difference between a tropical storm and a hurricane?Both are part of the same system: the tropical cyclone. This is defined as a low-pressure system that rotates counterclockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere.The intensity varies. A tropical storm is characterized by winds of between 63 and 118 km/h, whereas a hurricane is characterized by winds exceeding 119 km/h.These phenomena have different names depending on where they develop:Cyclones when they occur in the waters of Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean.Typhoons occur in the waters of East Asia and the Pacific.Hurricanes occur in the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico or the Caribbean Sea.Each type is associated with a season that can last up to seven months a year.A major hurricane does not need to form in order to endanger people's lives. The rain and winds caused by a single storm can pose a threat to people's health and well-being, and even to their survival, particularly in communities where climate change, poverty, misinformation and previous disasters increase population vulnerability.In 2024, storms were classified as the second most frequent type of disaster worldwide, recorded in the EM-DAT database, affecting 29.5 million people globally.Due to a combination of geographic, climatic, political and socioeconomic factors, countries such as Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda are particularly vulnerable in the Americas.Countries affected by Hurricane Beryl in 2024, such as Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, also entered the 2025 season while still recovering.2. How do storms and hurricanes form?They form over the sea. For this phenomenon to occur, the ocean water must be warm, with a temperature above 26°C. When warm, moist air rises, the vapour releases heat, strengthening the system and causing it to grow. If humidity and wind conditions are favourable, the system can grow into a hurricane.An eye forms in the centre of the hurricane, creating an apparent calm. Meanwhile, dense clouds and intense winds form around it in an area known as the eyewall. The spiralling clouds release large amounts of water, which can cause flooding and landslides.Hurricanes are driven by wind and follow paths that can vary depending on the direction and speed of currents at different levels of the atmosphere. When they make landfall, they lose the heat from the ocean — their source of energy — and begin to weaken.We must pay close attention not only to the number of hurricanes forecast but also to how rapidly they intensify.Rapid intensification—defined as an increase in wind speed of 35 mph or more within 24 hours—has become more common due to warmer ocean temperatures fueled by climate change.This sudden strengthening leaves little time for preparation, increasing the risk of catastrophic damage and loss of life. Notable examples include Hurricane Otis in 2023, which escalated from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than a day before striking Mexico's Pacific coast.3. Why are storms and hurricanes named?Names make it easy to identify each storm. Naming storms is the fastest way to issue alerts and prepare the population.The World Meteorological Organization has lists of names that are reused every six years. These lists are arranged in alphabetical order, with male and female names taken in turns. If a hurricane causes significant destruction, its name is retired.Names make it easier to track and analyze each storm, particularly when several are active at the same time. They also facilitate historical record-keeping and help avoid confusion among meteorological personnel, the media, emergency response agencies and the general public.When compiling lists of names, certain factors are taken into consideration.They should be short.They should be easy to pronounce.They should have an appropriate meaning in different languages.They should be unique: the same names cannot be used in other regions.4. How predictable are hurricanes?Thanks to weather forecasts, we can anticipate the arrival of storms and hurricanes and prepare before disasters strike.Technology enables us to track their path and speed across the sea with great accuracy. Hurricane Melissa, for example, is moving slowly, which means it poses a greater risk. The slower a storm or hurricane moves, the longer communities in its path will suffer strong winds and heavy rain. Rather than lasting a few hours, these conditions could persist for days, causing flooding or landslides. This is why it is crucial for communities to complete their preparations before conditions deteriorate. It is important to combine forecasts with risk analysis to take early action in anticipation of hurricanes rather than simply responding to events as they happen.The Red Cross, governments, communities and other humanitarian organisations can act before a disaster strikes by implementing early warning systems and evacuation protocols and carrying out drills, or by strategically placing humanitarian aid to ensure its rapid delivery to affected areas in the event of an emergency.This approach enables us to anticipate disasters, minimise their impact, and prevent suffering, loss of life and loss of livelihoods.5. What should I do before, during and after a hurricane?Before hurricane season begins, it is important to familiarise yourself with the risks in your area and develop an evacuation plan for your family and community. Identify the nearest shelters and map out safe routes. Make sure that everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency.To reinforce your home's structure, make sure the roof is securely fastened, install shutters, clean the gutters and trim any branches that could fall. You should also prepare supplies such as drinking water, non-perishable food, torches, medicines and a first-aid kit.Once a hurricane warning or advisory has been issued, be prepared to evacuate if the local authorities instruct you to do so. Secure important documents in waterproof bags and place valuables in high places. Fill your car's petrol tank when it is half empty, in case you need to evacuate.During the hurricane, stay informed through official media outlets and follow the authorities' instructions. If you are staying at home, reinforce your doors and windows and stay away from them. Seek shelter in an interior room without windows.Bring pets inside, unplug small appliances and, if instructed, turn off the electricity, gas and water supplies.Do not be fooled by the calm in the eye of the hurricane; stay safe until the authorities confirm that the danger has passed.After the hurricane has passed, check for injuries and provide first aid, but do not move seriously injured people unless they are in danger.Avoid damaged buildings and downed power lines, as these can cause electrocution. Do not consume water or food that may be contaminated and maintain good hygiene.Support your neighbours and only participate in clean-up and recovery efforts when it is safe to do so. Stay informed about new alerts or secondary risks, such as flooding or landslides.

Jamaica: Hours before Melissa makes landfall, preparation is the only way forward

Hurricane Melissais expected to make landfall in Jamaica as a major Category 4 or 5 hurricane – the first storm of this magnitude to hit Jamaica in known history.“We're expecting hurricane conditions starting tomorrow, later into this evening and a part of tomorrow,”says Esther Pinnock, Communications Officer for Jamaica Red Cross. “Heavy rainfall will be experienced.”Pinnock was speaking on Sunday 26 October, a day before the storm’s earliest predicted landfall. Forecasters expect Melissa to make landfall on Monday 27 October or Tuesday 28 October.“Some sections of the island are already experiencing this rainfall and gusty winds," Pinnock continued. "Based on the trajectory and expectation of the hurricane, we know that there are already some areas, those that we would have already intervened in, like Portland Cottage, Rocky Point and areas of Saint Catherine that are vulnerable."Melissa will make landfall in Jamaica while communities are still recovering from Hurricane Beryl. This storm is expected to impact the country just 16 months after Hurricane Beryl devastated farming and fishing communities and caused USD 204 million in damage. Coastal households are still recovering financially and lack the resources to prepare for another storm.Flooding is expected to be worse than Beryl, due to Melissa’s slow movement and antecedent moisture from inclement weather over the past weeks. Low-lying areas remain highly vulnerable to storm surges and flooding, while Kingston's informal settlements face significant risks of wind damage.Local Red Cross teams across Jamaica are already on the ground — taking early action, supporting alerts and evacuations, and positioning relief for the most at-risk families.Jamaica Red Cross is coordinating and receiving data from theJamaica Information Service of the known vulnerable areas, and the local teams anticipate that there will be severe events to which the Red Cross will have to respond.Staff and volunteers are prepared to immediately replenish distributed supplies and complement emergency stock, conduct damage and needs assessments to identify critical needs, operate emergency shelters for displaced populations, and establish feedback and complaint mechanisms to ensure accountability to affected communities.“We will also be collecting information on persons who may be stranded and making those connections with the necessary entities as we get such reports”, Pinnock adds.“I also want to be highlighting to the public that after the storm passes, we're going to be talking about our Restoring Family Links service and how that can be accessed.”The IFRC has since launched an emergency appeal for 19 million Swiss francs to support the Jamaican Red Cross emergency response and recovery efforts.Powered by forecasts and early action, the Jamaica Red Cross has been mobilized for a week ahead of Melissa. With 165,000 people potentially at risk across the parishes of Saint Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, Saint Catherine, Saint Andrew, Kingston, Saint Thomas, and Portland, the IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has allocated CHF 80,000 for imminent action.These funds have allowed our local teams to activatevolunteers, preposition relief supplies, and support alerts and evacuations. In schools, community centres, and places of worship across the eight targeted parishes, the Red Cross has supported the preparation of emergency shelters in the days and hours leading up to Melissa's anticipated arrival. Local Red Cross teams have also pre-positioned emergency supplies—including 250 shelter kits, 250 hygiene kits, 250 cleaning kits, tarps, drinking water, and other essential items—in local branches and designated shelters before the storm arrives.Additionally, trained volunteers have been deployed with necessary communication equipment, transportation, safety gear, and visibility items. As storms and hurricanes like Melissa intensify faster and response time shrinks, investing in anticipation saves lives and resources. Acting before disaster strikes makes every dollar and every minute count.

Ahead of Hurricane Melissa's imminent arrival in the Caribbean, local Red Cross teams are mobilising

Torrential rain and intense winds from Hurricane Melissa threaten hundreds of thousands of people in the central Caribbean. The National Red Cross Societies in Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic are fully operational, providing support to the communities most at risk in the form of preparedness and early response measures.In Cuba, the Cuban Red Cross is helping with preventive evacuations, offering psychosocial support, and helping families to get back in touch with each other.Psychological support in the face of a hurricane threat is essential for effective disaster management. It helps the population move from paralyzing fear to active preparedness and a resilient mindset, saving lives and promoting better long-term psychological recovery by providing a sense of calm, control, and human connection.'All hands on deck'In Haiti, the Haitian Red Cross has activated the Jérémie Emergency Operations Centre and is coordinating preparedness measures with local authorities. Volunteers are disseminating preventive messages to inform families how to protect themselves in the event of an impact.In Jamaica, where more than 165,000 people are at risk, the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has allocated 80,000 Swiss francs for anticipatory action, including pre-positioning vital supplies, preparing shelters, and strengthening community response capacity.“Right now, we are in full operations mode," says Horace Glance, deputy operations manager for the Jamaican Red Cross. "All 13 branches and all staff have been activated since last Wednesday. It’s all-hands-on-deck, all systems go.”“If the forecast holds true, and we do have a category 4 hurricane bearing down on us, it’s going to be a huge event for Jamaica,” Glance said in an interview with ABC News (see the full video below) on Sunday 26. “We’ve never had such a major hurricane coming across the island, making landfall and its eye passing over us.“So the usual things such as landslides, as well as coastal, riveraine and urban flooding, would be expected but it’s going to be a lot more with an event this size in terms of the volume of water ... as well as more severe winds than we’ve ever experienced.”In the Dominican Republic, volunteers from the San Pedro branch have carried out rescues and preventive evacuations in flood-affected communities, as well as helping to transfer patients from the local hospital to safer medical centres. Preparation and early action are crucial in a region that is highly vulnerable to the effects of storms and hurricanes. The rapid intensification of these phenomena, exacerbated by climate change, reduces reaction time and increases the risk of human and material losses. While climate change and climate-related disasters and hazards can affect anyone, their effects are not felt equally by all. In North America, Central America and the Caribbean, it is the most vulnerable groups — women, children, displaced people, indigenous communities and those affected by violence, poverty and discrimination — who are at the greatest risk from hurricanes and storms. This is why the IFRC and its network of National Societies work to take action before disasters strike, combining weather forecasts with risk analysis, strengthening early warning systems and positioning humanitarian aid in strategic locations. In response to the 2025 hurricane season and beyond, the Red Cross network is continuing to strengthen community resilience in over 28 countries by integrating science, local knowledge, and solidarity to protect communities from the growing risks posed by climate change.

IFRC Donor Advisory Group visits Indonesia to spotlight community resilience and Anticipatory Action

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – This week, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Donor Advisory Group (DAG) begins its 2025 field visit to Indonesia, with a focus on locally-led humanitarian action, community resilience, and anticipatory approaches to disaster preparedness. The visit will take place from 13 to 17 October, spanning Jakarta, Banten, and Lombok.The Donor Advisory Group serves as a strategic forum for dialogue between the IFRC Secretariat and its major donor partners, including both governments and National Societies. It plays a critical role in shaping shared priorities, strengthening collaboration, and supporting the IFRC network to respond effectively to local humanitarian needs.This year, the IFRC Donor Advisory Group is co-chaired by the IFRC, the government of Sweden, and the Swedish Red Cross, with a thematic focus on anticipatory action, localisation, and financial sustainability of National Societies. Participating members in this year’s field trip to Indonesia include representatives from the governments and National Societies of Australia, Canada, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.The Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI), Jusuf Kalla, welcomed the delegates at the PMI Headquarters on Monday (13 October).“Welcome to all our humanitarian partners. This visit will further strengthen our partnerships, broaden our shared learning, and open new opportunities for collaboration. Every partnership built with sincerity and a common purpose brings us one step closer to a world where no one is left behind,” said Jusuf Kalla.Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, who is also part of the visiting team, added: “Indonesia offers a compelling example of how sustained investment in local institutions leads to long-term impact. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has, through sustained support by the IFRC, become one of the strongest National Societies in the Asia Pacific, showing how a locally-led model can deliver real resilience at scale.”Indonesia is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, facing regular threats from earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and climate-driven hazards. Against this backdrop, the Indonesian Red Cross has evolved into a leading actor in disaster response and preparedness, able to respond nationwide within hours, while strengthening community resilience before disasters strike.In 2025, PMI finalized its first Early Action Protocol (EAP) for floods, under the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). This milestone marks a significant step forward in shifting from reactive response to anticipatory action, allowing early, targeted support to at-risk communities before disaster hits. During the visit, DAG members will see how this approach is being translated into practice on the ground.Field Visit Highlights:Jakarta: Strategic meetings with the Indonesian Red Cross leadership, government ministries, UN agencies, ASEAN, AHA Centre, and anticipatory action actors.Banten: Visit to PMI’s provincial branch to observe local partnerships, volunteer engagement, and financial sustainability efforts.Lombok: Community level engagement featuring mangrove restoration, early warning systems, and nature based solutions.This year’s visit will not only showcase the power of local leadership and volunteerism but also demonstrate how anticipatory action and strategic partnerships can protect lives and improve long-term outcomes for vulnerable communities.For more information or to request and interview: [email protected] contact PMI:Andreane Tampubolon, Head of Communications and International Relations Unit, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Email: [email protected]

Red Cross in Kiribati and Vanuatu launch new climate resilience initiative

Suva, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, September 15, 2025 - Nowhere are the impacts of climate change more tangible than in the Pacific — and hardly anywhere is the need for urgent, locally led action more critical. In Kiribati and Vanuatu, climate change is not a distant threat - you can see it everywhere.Rising seas, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather are already disrupting people’s lives, livelihoods, and ways of life. These island nations contribute just 0.02 per cent of global emissions — yet they face some of the most devastating consequences.That’s why the Vanuatu Red Cross Society and Kiribati Red Cross Society, together with IFRC have launched a new climate resilience project, funded by DG Clima of the European Union, to strengthen locally led adaptation to the changing climate.The project is risk-informed, to ensure any project interventions address identified challenges.Vanuatu Red Cross Secretary General Dickinson Tevi said:“The risk assessment process will guide us towards identifying risk-informed solutions to the challenges that we face. "Building on existing local expertise and capacity, the project supports locally led interventions to address those increasing risks faced by the most vulnerable — the people who have contributed the least to this crisis but are living its harshest reality every day."Including the traditional context and knowledge in locally driven programming will ensure Red Cross programmes focus on sustainability as well as respect for culture, people and place,” Mr Tevi said.Programs to address climate change are vital in the Pacific."Such programs like this, which consider ecosystem-based adaptation and other measures to respond to the effects of climate change, are crucial to ensure the effects lessen and the safety of communities, their environment and its people are secured,” said Tiina Tetabea, Kiribati Government's Ministry of Environment, Lands and Agricultural Development, during the stakeholder engagement session at the inception workshop in Tarawa, Kiribati.The project is also planned to expand to Belize and Guyana in the Caribbean, supporting climate-affected communities across multiple regions.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Suva: Nete Logavatu Tamanitoakula, [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

Hurricanes in sight: the Red Cross scales up training and preparedness

With the Americas region now well into the 2025 hurricane season, Red Cross teams in the region have been busy working alongside communities to prepare for what forecasters say will be yet another above-normal storm season.But even an average hurricane season can have devastating consequences for the people, as all it takes is one storm to affect entire towns and cities. That is why Red Cross preparedness work was already well underway even before this year’s forecast.The National Societies of Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador are among the most vulnerable to these extreme events due to their geographical location. The scale of the preparedness work now going on across the Americas is largely due to the experience with extremely devastating storms in the past – in particular Hurricane Mitch in 1998.Hurricane Mitch’s devastating passage left more than 11,000 people dead and millions affected, marking a turning point in the way National Societies in the region prepare for such extreme events. For people involved in emergency response and risk reduction, the storm was a game changer.Two decades later, in 2020, hurricanes Eta and Iota affected more than seven million people, most of them — more than four million — in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, the countries that had also been hardest hit by Mitch.But the results were different. In the time between one tragedy and another, the region and humanitarian organizations prepared in advance with response plans, training, drills, and institutional strengthening to reduce the impact of these disasters. This allowed the number of fatalities from Eta and Iota to be much lower than that of Mitch.From Mexico to South America, many National Societies have transformed the terrible experience of Hurricane Mitch into concrete action. Their mission: to be better prepared each year to respond more quickly and effectively to the arrival of potential hurricanes.Here are just a few of the many ways Red Cross National Societies in the region are working to get ahead of the storms and help communities prepare.Salvadoran Red Cross: Pre-positioning of humanitarian aid and access to weather forecastsThe Salvadoran Red Cross has contingency and response plans, which allow for more agile responses to extreme rainfall and landslides caused by tropical storms and hurricanes. According to Omar Ayala, Head of Crisis and Disasters at the Salvadoran Red Cross, the National Society has pre-positioned materials for humanitarian aid in its branches, guided by the nationalHazards Observatory’s forecasts.“This strategy has significantly reduced response times: what could previously take up to two days, is now done in just two hours,” assures Omar. Furthermore, in the context of monitoring and early warning, the Salvadoran Red Cross has recently signed a letter of understanding with the Hazards Observatory: “This agreement allows us to access weather forecasts early to be better prepared for the eventual arrival of a hurricane,” says Omar.In preparation for this and the coming hurricane seasons, the National Society wants to promote the preventive outreach of populations in at-risk areas even more, so they know what to do before, during and after a hurricane strikes.Honduran Red Cross: Early Warning Systems and strategic alliancesIn Honduras, Red Cross teams has invested in technical training for volunteers and staff in topics such as water rescue, pre-hospital care, cash transfer systems, water, sanitation and hygiene, and unmanned aerial systems.The Honduran Red Cross also highlights its investment inEarly Warning Systems (EWS) (specific measures guided by early warnings or forecasts to protect people before a disaster strikes), implemented in watersheds such as Chamelecón and Aguán."The experience withTropical Storm Sara, the last of the 2024 hurricane season, which affected more than 300,000 people in Honduras, showed the value of communities taking ownership of these early warning systems to ensure that the vulnerable populations receive the necessary information in time. That preparedness saved lives," says Manuel Isaula, risk and disaster manager for the Honduran Red Cross..Another good practice in the face of tropical Storm Sara was establishing strategic alliances with national and international actors: “Effective coordination between government, non-government, and community organizations to ensure the appropriation of knowledge, risk analysis, monitoring, and response capacity was and will always be key in our preparedness and response plans,” Isaula concludes.Guatemalan Red Cross: Development of Anticipatory Actions and Contingency PlansTeresa Marroquín, Director of Risk and Disaster Management at the Guatemalan Red Cross, says the National Society has strengthened its hurricane response capacity through several key actions –In particular the development of “early-action plans” that lay out key steps to take before the storms make landfall.“Early Action Plans (EAPs) funded by the IFRC have been developed to respond to flooding caused by extreme storms,”Marroquin says. “One successful example was the activation of Early Actions Plans duringTropical Storm Julia in October 2022, which helped us to provide a better response to those who needed it most.”Close coordination with official weather forecasting sources is key to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian operations during the hurricane season. Teresa also stresses the importance of developing contingency plans, providing training, and equipping volunteers for pre-hospital care and search and rescue in floods, especially in high-risk areas.'A key tool for understanding'Another key element to prepare for the hurricane season within the Red Cross world is the continuous learning and training of National Society staff and volunteers.In 2024, with support from theReference Centre for Institutional Disaster Preparedness (CREPD) in the Americas, more than 6,000 people were trained, both online and in person, through courses and practical training at the regional level, with the aim of strengthening their knowledge in search and rescue, health, humanitarian assistance, and logistics coordination.According to Edgardo Barahona, CREPD Coordinator, these training sessions, based on practical exercises and emergency simulations, not only strengthen the technical capacities of National Societies, but also promote comprehensive preparedness in line with IFRC global standards:"They are a key tool for understanding the usefulness of response, contingency, and anticipation plans,”he says.“Through experiential methodologies and simulated scenarios, teams can directly experience the challenges of an emergency, allowing for better operational coordination." says Barahona.According to the CREPD Coordinator, preparing teams at the local level allows National Societies to lead high-quality, timely responses, tailored to address the demands of each specific context, especially in the face of events such as hurricanes or other frequent disasters in the region.This type of preparedness is critical because the hurricane season threatens not only countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, but also more than 30 territories in the Americas, which face increasing risks due to extreme weather events aggravated by climate change.That said, the experiences in Central America confirm a vital lesson: preparedness is not optional, it is key to save lives. It requires sustained investment, strong partnerships, and the strengthening of National Society capacities to deal with crises and disasters – all of which are core elements of the IFRC’s regional approach to helping communities prepare for every coming storm season.Learn more about the IFRC’s approach to:Climate-smart disaster risk reductionDisaster and crisis preparednessEarly warning, early action

Rooted in resilience: Cambodian Red Cross unites communities to restore mangroves

In southern Cambodia’s Kampot province, a recent mangrove planting event brought together Red Cross volunteers and local residents – young and old – along with the IFRC to restore degraded coastal areas by planting mangrove trees.“What’s special about today is seeing people from all walks of life coming together,” says 76-year-old Cambodian Red Cross volunteer Norm Teat.“Planting mangroves isn’t just about trees—it’s about protecting our future,” he adds. “These trees help prevent coastal erosion, support marine life, and even absorb harmful carbon from the atmosphere”.Recognizing also the vital importance of coastal mangrove forests in protecting shorelines during severe storms, the Cambodian Red Cross (CRC) is working partnership with IFRC, local communities and other stakeholders to plant mangroves and promote long-term environmental stewardship.These community-based efforts, therefore, are part of a wider campaign to raise awareness and increase resilience to climate-related disasters such as coastal flooding and storms.“In Kampot province, there are more than 800 Red Cross volunteers and more than 1,000 Red Cross youth,” said Men Neary Sopheak, First Deputy Secretary General of the Cambodian Red Cross.“The Red Cross’s mangrove initiative is a part of our broader commitment to bring healthy and climate resilient communities in Cambodia, By restoring and conserving mangrove forests, we help protect biodiversity, improve water quality, and support the livelihoods of people living along the coast.”Why are mangrove forests so resilient in the fact of severe weather? One reason is that some mangrove trees can “breathe” through aerial roots that rise above the muddy ground like snorkels. This allows them to survive in waterlogged soils.CRC’s approach extends beyond planting. Through community training in mangrove care, disaster preparedness, and environmental protection, the Red Cross is empowering local people to become stewards of their own environment. “The climate is changing, and we must support communities to adapt—especially for the sake of future generations,” said Kathryn Clarkson, IFRC Head of Delegation for Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam.“I’ve joined mangrove planting activities with the Cambodian Red Cross many times, and each time it reinforces how vital mangroves are—not only as a natural defense system, but also as an absorber of carbon from the atmosphere and as a symbol of resilience.”For 76-year-old Mr. Norm Teat, the campaign holds deep personal meaning.“I’ve been a Cambodian Red Cross volunteer since 2014,” he says. “Over the years, I’ve learned so much—about health, disaster preparedness, vegetable farming, and protecting our environment—and I share this knowledge with my family and community”.As mangroves face growing threats from development and climate change, initiatives like these demonstrate the strength of community-led action.In recognition of World Mangrove Day this month, we celebrate the communities working to protect these unique ecosystems — for a greener, safer and more resilient future.By Kwanta Norkum, IFRC Communications and Reporting OfficerRead more about climate-smart disaster risk reduction at the IFRCRead more about climate resilience at the IFRC

Humanity faces ‘polycrisis’ shaped by climate, urbanization, weakened multilateralism

By the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate CentreAs theGlobal Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction(GPDRR) ended in Geneva on Friday, IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain renewed his call for the urgent matching of investment in earlywarningwith capacity toact.It’s still the case that “one in three disasters strikes without a formal public warning”,he added on social media, citing new IFRC research: “No lives should be lost in a predictable disaster.”Mr Chapagain added to itscall to actionto the platform issued earlier by pledging the IFRC would “continue its efforts as a partner in the [UN-led] Early Warnings for All initiative, which aims to ensure everyone on Earth is protected by early-warning systems by 2027. However, significant work is still required to reach this critical goal.”The week-long session of the GPDRR – the eighth overall but the first since the mid-term review of progress on implementation of the Sendai Framework – concluded that “countries have made significant progress, but challenges remain,” the UN said.The closingco-chairs’ summarysaid the “world faces a polycrisis with growing risk-complexity, shaped by climate change, rapid urbanization and weakened multilateralism [but] disaster risk reduction offers a solution to addressing overlapping crises.”In the summary, host nation Switzerland called for accelerated implementation of Sendai and a bridging of the “financial gaps hindering disaster risk reduction by mobilizing diverse funding sources, including climate finance.”The GPDRR’s eight-pointGeneva Call for Disaster Risk Reduction, linked in the chairs’ summary, advocates “[i]ncreasing funding for disaster risk reduction … to generate benefits across the development, humanitarian and climate agendas.”‘One in three disasters strikes without a formal public warning’Mr Chapagain also spoke at a GPDRR special event on extreme heat – an area of heightened concern this year – calling for a focus on what his called the “three P’s”: people, places and partnerships, stressing that local response was the best way to meetthe growing heatwave threat.He shared that platform with WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo and others at the session, which was intended contribute to the ongoing development of a common framework for the governance on extreme heat.Among National Societies contributing to the GPDRR week, the Spanish Red Cross was among the speakers at a side-event organized by the IFRC and the American Red Cross on “leveraging locally led good practice for expandingnature-based solutionsfor disaster and climate risk”.Guinbe Arnaud from the Chad Red Cross took an ignite stage session on work with mothers’ clubs there, and the Lebanese and Malawi Red Cross and the Somali Red Crescent were also represented.The three days of the ignite stage included a tribute to the latePablo Suarezfrom Bruno Haghebaert, a DRR specialist at Belgium’s Ghent University, who suggested ways his legacy could be continued for “creative risk communication”.The IFRC’s research coordinator, Gefra Fulane, took an ignite session on itsCommunity Trust Index; its Senior Officer for DRR, Blessed Mbang, took another on its road map for community resilience; and the Climate Centre’s Technical Adviser, Tesse de Boer, outlined opportunities for scaling up “multi-risk anticipatory action”.Helen Gambon of theSwiss NGO DRR platform, hosted by the Red Cross, jointly organized a thematic session moderated by the IFRC’s Caroline Holt, its Director of Disaster, Climate and Crises, centring on the changes “required to governance structures, finance mechanisms, science, technology and partnerships to enhancedisaster preparedness for resilient recovery”.Jagan Chapagain’s other contributions included a special session onminimizing climate-related loss and damageand a thematic session onbuilding resilience in complex settings.‘A little bit of creativity goes a long way in sparking meaningful dialogue on DRR and adaptation’The Climate Centre’s Catalina Jaime, who leads its work on climate and conflict, moderated a preparatory-days session onmulti-hazard early warning systems in fragile, conflict- and violence-affected (FCV) settings; she also spoke at another session onlocalizing DRR.She told delegates that this year’s GPDRR was seeing “increased attention to populations affected by the horrors of war and how their suffering increases vulnerabilities to disasters”.Climate Centre Director Aditya Bahadur, who followed the GPDRR online, said today that in the round, “GPDRR represented a welcome shift toward under-addressed but critical areas: multi-hazard early warning, heat risk, locally led action, and risk reduction in FCV settings.“Newly available Red Cross Red Crescent resources like thehandbookfor working in FCV areas or thetoolkitfor anticipatory action in them were referenced across plenaries and side events. It’s great to see these gaining traction – now it’s time to put them to use and drive lasting context-sensitive action.“I was glad to see the IFRC-Climate Centre innovation booth became a real hotspot – organized and managed by our anticipatory action lead, Irene Amuron – proving again that a little bit of creativity goes a long way in sparking meaningful dialogue on the future of DRR and adaptation.”Videos highlighting National Society work on risk reduction on show at the booth includedcommunity radio in Uganda,early warning in Bangladesh,Nepal, andworldwide, andanticipatory cash assistance in Nepal.Recent articles about disaster risk reduction within the IFRC network:Ready for the rains: Philippine Red Cross scales up emergency preparedness ahead of typhoon seasonIFRC: In a climate of shrinking funds and increasing risk, it’s time to shift priorities and get ahead of disasters‘Now we know what to do’: Boosting local flood preparedness in ZimbabweLearn more about IFRC's approach to:Disasters, climate and crisisDisaster and crisis preparednessClimate-smart disaster risk reduction

Ready for the rains: Philippine Red Cross scales up emergency preparedness ahead of typhoon season

As the Philippines prepares for another rainy season, which typically sees an average of 20 typhoons each year—of which eight to nine make landfall—the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is once again taking the lead in disaster preparedness and response. Supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its membership, PRC is intensifying its efforts to protect the country's most vulnerable communities.According to the 2024 World Risk Index (WRI), the Philippines has been ranked as the most disaster-prone country in the world for the 16th consecutive year, facing a complex array of threats including typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and conflicts. In anticipation of these challenges, the PRC has strategically prepositioned life-saving resources and activated community-based volunteer networks across the nation.“Preparedness saves lives, and PRC’s readiness today is a reflection of decades of investment in local capacity, supported by Movement partners,” said Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross.The PRC operates through its 101 chapters and a 24/7 Operations Centre, coordinating more than a million trained volunteers and staff. With support from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the PRC has increased its warehouse stock of relief items, ready for rapid deployment through its extensive logistics fleet, which includes eight regional warehouses, 140 ambulances, 29 water tankers, 36 food trucks, amphibious vehicles, rescue boats, response motorcycles, as well as a dedicated drone and satellite internet communications network. In addition, the organization maintains 17 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) hubs equipped with mobile purification systems and emergency water bladders—crucial resources as storm surges and floods increasingly impact coastal communities and landslide situations in mountainous areas.Emergency medical services have been fully mobilized, featuring three field hospitals, 128 medical tents, and 5,700 medical corps volunteers. These services are supported by 109 blood facilities, mobile health units and vaccination buses, along with agreements with the Department of Health and private transport companies to enhance mass casualty readiness. Central to the PRC's efforts is its Red Cross 143 program, which trains local leaders and at least 44 volunteers in each barangay (village). This grassroots network is essential for disseminating early warning messages, conducting rapid assessments, and providing first response during typhoons, floods, and landslides.Furthermore, PRC has pioneered anticipatory action with Early Action Protocols (EAPs) for typhoons and floods, enabling interventions up to 72 hours before a disaster strikes. In 2024 alone, shelter strengthening kits were installed in advance of Typhoon Marce in Cagayan and Super Typhoon Pepito in Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Northern Samar, minimizing damage and protecting families.These proactive measures have been made possible through the IFRC’s anticipatory funding mechanisms, which allocated nearly CHF 535,000 for readiness and pre-emptive relief. The Philippine Red Cross’s ability to act swiftly relies on the continued support of its partners.From early action financing to long-term resilience programming, sustained investments are necessary to keep communities safe as climate threats intensify.“We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with PRC,” said Sanjeev Kafley, Head IFRC Country Delegation. “Their leadership in anticipatory action and community preparedness is not only saving lives but also setting a global benchmark.” He added “In light of the six consecutive cyclones in six weeks' time span that impacted the country last year, it is imperative that we collectively strengthen coordination among all stakeholders. Doing so will ensure effective resource mobilization and timely dissemination of critical information to those most in need. We reiterate the need to reinforce collaboration, invest in preparedness, and remain proactive in safeguarding the most vulnerable populations.”As the skies darken and storms loom, the Philippine Red Cross stands ready—not just to respond, but to take action before, during, and after disasters strike. Always first, always ready, always there.

IFRC: In a climate of shrinking funds and increasing risk, it’s time to shift priorities and get ahead of disasters

By all accounts, recent years have been record setters. The month of May 2025 was the hottest on record in several parts of the globe, while heatwaves in 2024 sets records for duration and temperatures.Meanwhile, people around the world have been hit with an unprecedented string of climate-related emergencies.In 2024, for example, the Philippines experiencedsix typhoons in under a month, an unprecedented pattern of extreme weather that left communities with no time to recover between storms.Meanwhile, Europe and Central Asia experienced a wave of flooding in 2024 that added new layers of complexity for communities already coping with displacement caused by conflict, an increase in communicable diseases, heat waves and economic challenges.The same is true at the global level. In 2023 alone, disasters triggered 26.4 million internal displacements – many of them in already fragile or conflict-affected contexts. These are just a few reasons why reducing risk before disasters strike is critical and urgent.“That is why climate is the number-one priority for the IFRC – it is the ultimate risk multiplier because it exacerbates existing vulnerabilities,” said Jagan Chapagain, secretary general of the IFRC.“However, we also know disasters don’t need to be deadly if communities are supported to act in a way that helps people get ahead of disasters, and prevents devastating loss and damage, through anticipation, preparedness and adaptation rather than waiting for humanitarian consequences to hit.”As organizations from around the world gather in Geneva, Switzerland for theGlobal Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction this week, the IFRCbrings these realities to the table through a call to action for far greater engagement and support for locally led disaster risk reduction, anticipation and preparedness efforts at the community level.“This event is about action — action which makes a real difference in the lives of people, with people and communities in the driving seat,” Chapagain added. “Action which gets climate finance and critical support to people and communities who need it the most and fostering new partnerships and approaches to meet the scale of the challenge.”From managing disasters to managing risksWhile there has been considerable progress in this direction in recent years, there is still a ways to go. As of December 2024, a total of 131 countries report having national disaster risk reduction strategies in place (roughly 64 per cent of the world’s countries) while only 109 (just more than half) reported having local disaster risk reduction strategies. And consider these sobering statistics:As of 2024, around one-third of the global population was still not covered by early warning systems.Of the 32 countries classified as highly or very highly vulnerable, 27 were also considered fragile or extremely fragile – yet they received less than US$1 per person in disaster risk reduction funding or financing for climate adaptation.The vast majority of disaster funding goes entirely for post disaster response and recovery. Only 3.1 per cent of finance for crises is arranged in advance (2018-2022).Less than 10 per cent of the funds available through global climate-change financing mechanism for climate adaptation reaches the local level.At a time when international emergency response budgets are tightening even further, the IFRC argues that investment in anticipatory action is particularly critical. Studies of humanitarian aid have found that every US$1 invested in anticipatory action can save up to around US$7 in post-disaster recovery.These investments not only reduce long-term humanitarian costs, they help communities thrive in the face of escalating climate and disaster risks. After all, many communities are already struggling to recover from floods, wildfires or earthquakes, and at the same time they must also be thinking about — and getting ready for — whatever comes next.One recent example is a community led flood preparedness exercise facilitated by the IFRC and the Zimbabwe Red Cross in the village of Chibuwe, in which all residents young and old participated in a mass flood emergency simulation."We used to watch the river rise and just pray it wouldn’t take everything," said Kenneth Madhlazi, a farmer from Chibuwe village in Zimbabwe’s Chipinge District. "When the floods came, there was panic—our livestock gone, our grains destroyed. Now, we know what to do. We are ready."Often those who are caught in the cycle of emergencies are those who can least afford even one life-shattering catastrophe. For context: an estimated 44 per cent of the global population remain poor by a standard of $6.85/day, and many live in urban areas highly exposed to climate and environmental shock.“The challenge for us all is to strengthen and replicate local solutions, embed risk reduction into humanitarian, development and climate plans and strengthen resilience in an integrated way across sectors and systems,”said Blessed Michael Mbang, IFRC Senior Officer for Community-based Disaster Risk Reduction, who is coordinating IFRC’s engagement at the GPDRR. “This is how we shift from managing disasters to managing risks – and from reactive response to lasting resilience.”These are some of the reasons the IFRC call to action highlights three key messages.• Make locally led action the defaultTrust, fund and empower local actors. Resilience starts with the people closest to the risks – support them to drive solutions that last.• Invest ahead of disastersShift from reaction to anticipation. Prioritize funding that prevents and reduces climate and disaster impactsbefore it unfolds to become disasters and builds long-term resilience – it is cost effective, saves lives and livelihoods and expands people’s options.• Break the cycle – put the root causes of risk at the centre of actionFor transformative action, we must address risk drivers and enhance long term resilience to save and improve lives and livelihoods.Investing in local disaster risk reduction takes many forms. It includes strengthening community early warning systems, local preparedness and response capacities, partnerships and collaboration across national and community structures – ensuring that marginalized and at-risk groups are meaningfully included and protected.To learn more about what these investments should look like, see the IFRC’s Call to Action for the 2025 Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and visit the following links:How IFRC’s anticipatory action work is transforming disaster preparedness around the world.IFRC and Early Warnings for AllClimate-smart disaster risk reduction at the IFRCDisaster and crisis preparedness at the IFRCRecent stories:‘Now we know what to do’: Boosting local flood preparedness in ZimbabweBehind the scenes: With climate-change worsening a range of simultaneous challenges, how can humanitarians keep up while also preparing for the next crisis?Behind the scenes: ‘The new normal’ means the job of getting ready for disaster never endsDisaster preparedness: When help is far away, being ready is even more critical

‘Now we know what to do’: Boosting local flood preparedness in Zimbabwe

"We used to watch the river rise and just pray it wouldn’t take everything," said Kenneth Madhlazi, a farmer from Chibuwe village in Zimbabwe’s Chipinge District. "When the floods came, there was panic—our livestock gone, our grains destroyed. Now, we know what to do. We are ready."For Kenneth and many families in Chibuwe, farming is more than a way of life—it is survival. They grow grains, groundnuts, sugar beans, cotton, tomatoes, and paprika, feeding their families and driving the local economy.But each rainy season brings fear. When the Save River and its tributaries overflow, the rising waters can sweep away homes, destroy livelihoods, and endanger lives in a matter of hours.Anticipating risk, protecting futuresDetermined to protect what matters most, the people of Chibuwe decided to act before the next disaster strikes by helping the whole community be prepared for the likelihood of future floods. The first big exercise was a community-wide emergency flood simulation.First, a mock flood alert was broadcast through the local Vemuganga Community Radio Station. Within minutes, first responders mobilized, families moved out along prescribed evacuation routes, and people gathered at pre-identified safe zones.A high-pressure scenario—a young woman swept away by floodwaters—tested the community’s ability to respond quickly, compassionately, and in coordination with local leaders and humanitarian actors.“We learned that immediate action is critical,”said Steven Tekesho, a Chibuwe resident. “As a community, we must work together in times of crisis.”Edmore Mabika, a councillor of Ward 20, Chibuwe, agreed: “This exercise opened our eyes to the dangers of delaying action due to cultural beliefs. Hesitation can cost lives.”Students from Chibuwe High School also took part in the drill.“We practiced evacuations and met at the safety point. This exercise showed us where we need to improve,”said one student, reflecting the importance of engaging youth in preparedness.A step toward a safer future and a model for further actionFor the people of Chibuwe, this was more than a drill. It was a powerful step toward protecting their families, their futures, and their dignity.The project serves as a good example of the difference that can be made when local communities get the support they need to prepare for emergencies, not just respond, recover and rebuild once the crisis has come and gone.With support from the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), theInternational Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP), a flood-simulation designed to test and strengthen its early warning systems and anticipatory action plans.It’s exactly the kind of story, about investing in local preparedness, that the IFRC will be highlighting this week as it brings its urgent message on disaster preparedness and anticipatory action to the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction this week in Geneva, Switzerland.Strengthening Systems, Saving LivesThe learnings from the Chibuwe exercise went far beyond the village, however.For Zimbabwe’s Department of Civil Protection (DCP), local authorities, and humanitarian partners, the simulation revealed critical insights into where response systems are strong—and where they need strengthening.“This simulation underscored the importance of early action,”said Veronica Bare, Acting Deputy Director of Response and Coordination at the Department of Civil Protection. “Disaster management is complex, but preparedness is key. Exercises like this ensure we are ready to respond efficiently when real emergencies strike.”Lessons learnedStakeholders identified communication flow as one area for improvement.“One key gap we identified is information flow,” added Tawona, senior officer for Livelihoods and Climate Resilience at IFRC. “We must strengthen coordination between communities, local authorities, and partners to build a response system that is agile, inclusive, and effective.”Following the simulation, stakeholders gathered to evaluate their response—analyzing reaction times, the effectiveness of alerts, and community engagement.As climate change accelerates the frequency and severity of floods, droughts, and storms, Chibuwe stands out as a powerful model of what proactive, people-centered resilience can achieve.By investing inanticipatory action today, the IFRC and its partners are helping vulnerable communities protect what matters most before disaster strikes.Learn moreIFRC at global event on disaster risk reduction: In a climate of shrinking funds and increased risk, it's time to shift priorities and get ahead of crisesHow IFRC’s anticipatory action work is transforming disaster preparedness around the world.IFRC and Early Warnings for AllClimate-smart disaster risk reduction at the IFRCDisaster and crisis preparedness at the IFRC

Heat Action Day June 2: How the Iraqi Red Crescent helps communities brave the heat and stay safe from rising climate threats

By the time the sun rises across much of Iraq, the heat has already taken hold. For farmers in remote villages, street vendors in cities, and traffic officers directing vehicles under a punishing sun, heatwaves are more than an inconvenience—they are a growing threat to health and survival.Iraq today is on the frontline of the global climate crisis. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, severe water shortages, and intensifying dust storms have converged to create a harsh new reality—one that affects millions, especially the most vulnerable.As we mark Heat Action Day in 2025, a global awareness raising event initiated by the IFRC, we take a look at what is being done by one Red Crescent National Society in one of the world’s hottest zones.It’s the story of how the Iraqi Red Crescent Society (IRCS) is taking a very pro-active, localized and people-centered approach to climate action, not only addressing the immediate risks of heat waves, but also laying the groundwork for a healthier, safer, and more sustainable future.Staying cool and safe in one of the world’s hottest zonesIndeed, Iraq is one of the world’s most impacted countries when it comes to skyrocketing temperatures and it’s seen some of the world’s most extreme heat waves in recent years. These blistering weeks of 50°C-plus temperatures come on top of a host of other climate-related challenges, from drought to dust storms.Iraq’s Euphrates River is five meters below normal levels. Its share of the Tigris and Euphrates has dropped by 80 per cent. Water scarcity due to a variety of factors has led to the desertification of over 27,000 square kilometers of farmland, according to the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture, while temperatures soar above 50°C during peak summer months.Nowhere are these intersecting crises more visible than in governorates like Al-Muthanna, one of Iraq’s most impoverished areas. There, the Iraqi Red Crescent Society has launched multiple projects to ease the strain, including solar-powered water desalination stations that each produce 5,000 liters of safe water per hour.These projects reduce dependency on costly fuel, lower emissions, and bring dignity to communities long deprived of basic services."The impacts of climate change are no longer abstract," says Nawar Abdulkader, the head of IRCS’s Construction, Water and Sanitation Department. "They’re happening here and now, especially in places like Al-Muthanna where water shortages and extreme heat are making everyday life harder and more dangerous."A local resident from one of the affected areas put it simply: "This water station brought us hope. For years, we lived without basic services—no clean water, no support. Now, we finally feel seen."Preparing people to beat the heatBut the IRCS’s climate response extends far beyond infrastructure. With the early arrival of summer and intensifying heatwaves, IRCS is actively reaching out to vulnerable groups—especially outdoor workers like street vendors, construction workers, farmers, and traffic police—with heat awareness campaigns across the country.Volunteers distribute health brochures, hydration tips, and protective gear to help people reduce their risk of heatstroke and dehydration. This aligns with this year’s global theme for Heat Action Day “Recognizing and responding to heat stroke,” but it’s also become a central part of the IRCS’s yearly campaigns, which are grounded in practical, local knowledge and trust."We’ve seen firsthand how something as simple as a brochure or a bottle of water can protect someone’s life in the heat," says one IRCS volunteer. "This is about giving people tools they can actually use."The IFRC is also playing a role in supporting the IRCS in implementing key initiatives focused on climate-risk assessment and anticipatory action. These projects help the Red Crescent and communities better understand the specific climate risks facing communities, while enabling early, preventative measures that protect lives and livelihoods before disasters strike.From green roots to clean waterLong-term solutions are equally vital. In schools and communities, the IRCS has planted climate-resilient trees, rehabilitated school gardens, and promoted eco-friendly habits to reduce desertification and improve well-being.Since 2018, it has also rehabilitated 17 public facilities in Al-Muthanna alone—including schools and health centers—bringing essential services closer to people affected by heat and drought.When the storms roll inClimate change is also exacerbating another serious public health threat—dust storms.Iraq already experiences more than 180 dusty days a year. With predictions indicating this could rise to 270 by 2050, sand and dust storms are becoming a growing hazard. They reduce visibility, strain public health systems, and disproportionately affect children, the elderly, and people with chronic respiratory conditions.To mitigate these risks, IRCS teams regularly conduct outreach in high-risk areas—providing masks, raising awareness on staying indoors, and supporting health workers with protective supplies.Health, hope, and human dignityAll these combined impacts translate into rising needs for healthcare. For this reason, the IRCS has expanded its services:72 safe water stations serve 150,000 people dailyMobile clinics reach remote communitiesFood parcels and cash assistance support families pushed to the brinkOngoing health campaigns raise awareness in areas at riskThese efforts are part of a larger strategy: not just to respond to peak heat events, but to build resilience. The Iraqi Red Crescent is investing in people’s ability to withstand shocks—today and in the years to come.

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.

Disaster preparedness: When help is far away, being ready is even more critical

Imagine being the person in charge of coordinating emergency response across a vast oceanic region in which it often takes weeks – and sometimes even months – for critical supplies to arrive by boat or plane.This is just one of the challenges that Maciu Nokelevu faces almost every day as IFRC’s Senior Disaster Risk Management Officer for the Pacific."Our daily job is to organize logistics and access to the most isolated islands in the Pacific, ensuring we are prepared to respond to emergencies,” says Nokelevu.While countries like Fiji have better access due to their long standing status as a hub for tourism, the vast Pacific Ocean region poses significant challengesfor National Societies on the smaller, lesser frequented islands. “When international procurement is needed, aid can take over three months to arrive, far too long for an urgent crisis,” says Nokelevu.On top of that, communication failures also disrupt response efforts. "After cyclones, damaged infrastructure often cuts off headquarters from affected islands, making coordination extremely difficult,"Nokelevu explains.In this context, strengthening the preparedness levels of local communities and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies has proven to be key, particularly as climate-related emergencies are increasingly frequent and severe.In 2024, for example, the Philippines experiencedsix typhoons in under a month, an unprecedented pattern of extreme weather that left communities with no time to recover between storms.For this reason, the IFRC and its network of volunteers have been working hard to ensure volunteers are well trained and ample supplies are stored close by. This allows response efforts to begin immediately, well before any external or international support arrives.“Through volunteer training, simulation exercises, and risk assessments, National Societies can identify vulnerabilities and enhance their response capacity,” Nokelevu continues. “Coordination with governments and humanitarian partners ensures a unified approach to overcoming logistical and communication barriers.”A decentralized, local and fast responseA half a world away, Munguntuya Sharavnyambuu faces similar challenges – albeit in a very different environment. AsDirector of the Climate Change and Disaster Management department for the Mongolian Red Cross Society(MRCS), she regularlyexperiences flash floods, sandstorms, snowstorms, and forest fires.These emergencies often strike in remote areas where access to basic services is limited. One of most challenges is something known as the “dzud”, an extreme cold spell.“A Dzud is one of the most devastating hazards in Mongolia, with temperatures dropping below -30°C," she explains, adding that cold spells often also bring heavy snowfall and strong winds. “The winter of 2023-2024 recorded the highest snowfall in 49 years, covering 90 per cent of the country. This severely impacted herder communities because it caused there to be very limited grazing opportunities for animals.”“To address these challenges, the MRCS prioritizes preparedness by training volunteers and staff, pre-positioning emergency supplies, and decentralizing response efforts to ensure aid reaches communities within the critical first 72 hours of a disaster.” Built on experienceBeing ready for potential emergencies is critical everywhere. But its importance is often heightened in a region where entire countries can be cut off from the outside world. That is something that emergency responders in Tonga experienced firsthand when the country experiencedvolcanic eruptionand tsunamiin 2022.When the disaster struck, it severed undersea communication cables and filled the atmosphere with volcanic ash, blocking satellite signals. For 72 hours, Tonga was completely cut off from the world.Despite the communication blackout, response efforts were already on the ground. According to Maciu, this case underscores the vital role of National Society preparedness.“Years of emergency response training, contingency planning, preparedness exercises, and readiness simulations ensured that volunteers on the ground could take immediate action such as clearing airport runways and coordinating relief efforts, even before external aid could reach the islands,” concludes Maciu.The effort to enhance preparedness in the region is not new, however. The IFRC’s 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, held in Vietnam in 2023, served as a pivotal platform for National Societies to deepen their shared understanding of risk and preparedness strategies in an era marked by climate change and other emerging hazards.The conference endorsed the Hanoi Call for Action, which seeks to strengthen individual and collective preparedness for crisis response."It is critical to invest in preparedness to maintain an appropriate level of readiness for effective responses,”adds Felipe del Cid, Lead andThematic Expert on Evolving Crises and Disasters at the IFRC Asia Pacific office in Kuala Lumpur. “Investing in this today will define how effectively the world can respond to the crises of tomorrow.”By Olivia AcostaRead more:Disaster and crisis preparedness at the IFRCIFRC’s approach to localization

Empress Shōken Fund announces grants in 2025 to support Red Cross and Red Crescent projects in 17 countries

The Joint Commission of the Empress Shōken Fund (ESF) has announced a new distribution of funds, totalling 502,578 Swiss francs, which will support 16 projects run by 17 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The commission is administered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The projects chosen cover a variety of issues, including blood transfusion services, disaster preparedness, first aid and rescue, health, youth and National Society development.The countries where the projects are being implemented are Afghanistan, Argentina, Angolajointly with Mozambique, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Jordan, Morocco, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Trinidad and Tobago and Zambia.The ESF received 63 applications over the last year for the 104th distribution of income, representing the largest number of applications ever received.In 2024, the ESF strengthened its pipeline of innovation initiatives by enhancing the rigour of its application, review and learning processes. This was done by introducing an innovation framework, making the selection criteria clearer, using innovation experts for assessments and promoting structured experimentation to enable more impactful, replicable solutions across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.As a result of these enhancements, the quality of applications in 2024 improved significantly, with proposals demonstrating greater innovation, clarity and alignment with the Movement’s priorities.This upward trend confirms the value of ESF’s reinforced focus on innovation, experimentation and learning, and it highlights the ongoing need to support National Societies as they test and scale up new approaches to increase the impact of their humanitarian projects.With a total value of over 15 million Swiss francs, the ESF supports projects run by National Societies that benefit the communities they serve in many different ways. The first ESF grant was awarded in 1921 to help five European National Societies fight the spread of tuberculosis.Since then, over16 million Swiss francs has been allocated to 175 National Societies.The grants are announced every year on 11April, the anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Empress Shōken, one of the founders of the Japanese Red Cross Society.2025 grantsBlood donation and first aidFiji: Digital blood donation platformFiji struggles with maintaining stable blood supplies due to logistical gaps and low donor engagement. This initiative creates a mobile app that will help the National Society manage donors, improve communication and gamify the donation experience. As Fiji’s first digital blood management tool, it will revolutionize outreach and retention of blood donors. With many small island states facing similar challenges, the app-based solution is a promising, replicable model.Slovakia: First aid digital educationSlovakia has one of the lowest levels of first aid knowledge in Europe, leading to thousands of preventable deaths. This initiative introduces the first free digital first aid training app and course in the country, making life-saving knowledge accessible and engaging. Its innovation lies in removing cost and access barriers through interactive learning. The tools are digital by design and can be shared or adapted widely across Europe.Disaster preparedness and responseAngola and Mozambique: Peer-to-peer disaster responseThis initiative marks the first peer-to-peer learning initiative between two Portuguese-speaking National Societies – Angola and Mozambique – in which each National Society will build on the strengths of the other to co-develop disaster-preparedness systems. Facing frequent emergencies and limited coordination mechanisms, this initiative introduces shared procedures, a joint volunteer tracking system and collaborative training workshops. It sets a precedent for mutual capacity strengthening and cross-border cooperation, offering a scalable and replicable model for other linguistic or regional partnerships.Trinidad and Tobago: Drones and geographical information systems for disaster preparednessFlood-prone rural communities lack risk data and real-time early warning systems. This initiative empowers them with drones and geographical information systems technology for local hazard mapping, training community resilience groups to lead disaster planning. It is the first initiative of its kind in the country and places cutting-edge technology in the hands of local actors. The model is well positioned for replication in small island and disaster-prone areas globally.Health and hygieneAfghanistan: Integrated TB/HIV screening at mental health centreIn Afghanistan, mental health patients are often excluded from mainstream TB/HIV health services, increasing the risk of outbreaks. This initiative fills that gap by integrating screening within a Red Crescent mental health centre, complemented by staff training and stigma reduction campaigns. The innovation lies in combining mental and infectious disease services under one roof, with strong potential for replication across other health centres and conflict settings.Argentina: Mental health and gambling preventionWith online gambling addiction surging among teens, this youth-led initiative tackles a growing mental health crisis through research, prevention education and advocacy. This is Argentina’s first national study on adolescent gambling, and uniquely integrates youth participation at all levels. The mix of data-driven policy work and peer-led awareness offers a model that can be applied in other countries facing similar digital addiction trends.Guatemala: Healthy life, healthy communityWith dengue cases surging, volunteers in Guatemala are unprepared to respond effectively. This initiative trains volunteers in prevention and equips them to lead micro-projects and clean-up campaigns. The innovative element is the initiative’s use of volunteers as community health educators and action leaders, supported by digital tools for tracking. The model’s grassroots structure makes it easy to replicate in other vector-borne disease hotspots.Somalia: Soap factory initiativePoor hygiene infrastructure and reliance on costly hygiene-related imports leave Somali communities vulnerable to preventable diseases. This initiative sets up a volunteer-run soap factory to produce affordable hygiene products locally. The initiative is innovative in how it fuses local manufacturing with WASH programme delivery and community engagement. The small-scale, volunteer-led model is ideal for replication across Somalia and in other resource-constrained settings.Youth engagement and empowermentBosnia and Herzegovina: Climate action ambassadors fellowshipThis programme not only fills a leadership vacuum but directly counters youth emigration by giving young people a reason to stay engaged locally. With tools like a volunteer handbook and leadership camps, it systematizes climate-action learning. The success of this initiative opens pathways for replication by any National Society seeking to activate youth climate leadership.Jordan: Youth engagement and activity centreJordanian youth volunteers lack structured spaces and systems to coordinate humanitarian action, leading to low retention and missed opportunities. This initiative establishes a dedicated Youth Engagement Centre and a digital volunteer management system to professionalize and energize youth participation. It is the first of its kind in Jordan, combining physical space, tech and training to build a volunteer pipeline. With its modular set-up and digital backbone, it is highly replicable across National Societies seeking to scale up their impact for young people.Slovenia: Let’s Face the ClimateThe initiative addresses the lack of involvement of young people in climate programming by giving them tools and platforms to lead change. By integrating structured curricula with digital tools and advocacy channels, it makes climate action tangible and appealing to young people. The blended format – interactive learning and youth-led projects – offers a replicable strategy for youth mobilization across Europe and beyond.Livelihoods and economic empowermentEcuador: Gamified hydroponics for food securityFood insecurity and youth unemployment are growing in rural Ecuador, compounded by land and water scarcity. This initiative uses gamified learning to teach hydroponic farming – blending tech, nature and hands-on education. Its innovation lies in making sustainable agriculture fun and accessible, especially to young people. The approach is highly replicable, especially in areas facing similar climate and food system pressures.Morocco: Vocational skills for rural womenRural women in Bab Taza face high unemployment due to lack of formal education and skills training. This initiative will build a local training centre offering sewing, tailoring and marketing workshops to turn skills into sustainable income. It is innovative in how it bridges vocational skills with entrepreneurship and branding, setting women up for long-term independence. Its modular approach makes it adaptable for other rural areas across the region.Climate action and environmental sustainabilityGhana: The Green WomenRural communities in Ghana face worsening climate-related impacts, water scarcity and soil degradation, with women and young people often excluded from sustainable economic opportunities. This women-led initiative addresses the urgent need for climate-resilient agriculture by providing mobile solar irrigation, composting and tree planting. Its innovation lies in combining renewable technology with agroforestry and business skills, creating both environmental and economic resilience. With scalable solar irrigation units and replicable training modules, the project can be adapted across similar farming communities.Democratic Republic of the Congo: Green School BrigadeWith massive deforestation and limited environmental education, young people in the DRC are disconnected from climate action. This initiative activates school brigades to lead tree planting and environmental education, promoting youth volunteerism and long-term climate consciousness. It is innovative in how it embeds humanitarian values into environmental action at a school level, and is highly replicable across schools and provinces with basic resources and Red Cross Youth coordination.Zambia: Youth-driven sustainable waste managementRapid urbanization and poor waste management in Lusaka’s informal settlements create major health and climate risks, particularly for young people. This youth-led initiative tackles waste through recycling, composting and community awareness, while creating green jobs. Its innovation lies in linking environmental action with youth economic empowerment, supported by digital tools and local business partnerships. The model is community-driven and scalable to other urban areas across Africa.Read about the Empress Shôken Fund’s grant allocations in 2024.

Red Cross Amazon Alliance aims to safeguard lives and strengthen community resilience

Panama/Geneva, 19 December – In response to escalating threats posed by the climate crisis, increasing disasters and biodiversity loss, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has announced the reactivation of its Amazon Programme, The Red Cross Alliance for the Amazon.This initiative, initially uniting the National Red Cross Societies of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela, aims to enhance community resilience and support those affected by climate impacts in the Amazon rainforest. The Red Cross’s local presence and global reach make it a key partner in protecting Amazonian communities and ecosystems. With branches and volunteers embedded in all nine Amazonian countries, the Red Cross combines deep local knowledge with expertise in risk reduction, climate resilience, and humanitarian operations to address the region’s growing needs.The Amazon, home to 10% of all known species and responsible for generating 20% of the world’s oxygen, is nearing a tipping point. Deforestation, wildfires, and extractive activities—compounded by extreme climate events such as floods, fires and prolonged droughts—threaten the lives and the livelihoods of over 40 million people, including 350 groups of Indigenous Peoples.“At the heart of our proposal is the convergence of indigenous knowledge, Red Cross experience, and technological and research developments. This formula, implemented in close coordination with states, indigenous peoples and other stakeholders, will maximise efforts to strengthen community resilience andanticipate and respond to crises affecting Amazonian populations”, said Xavier Castellanos, IFRC Under Secretary General, National Society Development and Operations Coordination.The Red Cross Alliance for the Amazon focuses on disaster risk management and climate resilience, community health, sustainable livelihoods and response to disasters and climate displacement. Harmonising, maximising and streamlining the Red Cross work in these areas will help anticipate and reduce the impact of hazards which could be exacerbated by the climate crisis in the coming years.From January to August this year alone, fires destroyed 62,268 square kilometres of the Amazon, an area twelve times the size of the city of London. Compounded by a historic drought, this devastation has severely affected access to health and food and increased the risk of climate-induced displacement.Faced with such multi-crisis scenarios, the Red Cross is already working in several communities in the Amazon. In Ecuador, volunteers are working with indigenous peoples to implement agricultural techniques that reduce the risk of droughts, contributing to income diversification and ecosystem restoration to improvefood and economic security.In Colombia, the Red Cross provides health care and access to medicines in remote and hard-to-reach areas.The Red Cross Alliance for the Amazon builds upon solid experience. Red Cross Societies in Amazonian countries havecollaborated with over 53 Amazonian communities to promote community health and reduce the risk of disasters. This new effort seeks to scale up these successes while aligning with the IFRC’s global expertise in climate resilience and disaster management. For more information and to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected]   In Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes +50769993199 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41797084367  / Hannah Copeland +41762369109 

Uganda: Working together to help people get ahead of emergencies

In Uganda, variable rainfall and rising temperatures have exposed local communities to countless challenges, from floods to droughts and rapidly spreading infectious diseases causing health crises.To minimize the effects of these compounding issues on communities, infrastructure and natural resources, the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) and the Netherlands Red Cross (NRC) are working together to find innovative ways to strengthen local preparedness and response.The teamwork between the two National Societies, reliant on local URCS volunteers and staff, is grounded in the idea ofanticipatory action, which reduces the humanitarian impacts of forecasted hazards before their shocks are felt.A cornerstone of these efforts is impact-based forecasting, a methodology that can predict the impact extreme weather might have on specific areas through real-time data. To this end, the Netherlands Red Cross has developed anImpact-Based Forecasting Portal, which releases specific, crucial warnings about an impending extreme weather event.Using this information, local organizations can make timely decisions on how to prepare, identify at-risk infrastructure like hospitals and schools, and find solutions to community-specific needs – from providing shelter to distributing food and hygiene kits.With the aid of the Impact-Based Forecasting Portal, URCS monitors changes in the weather. When the anticipated conditions reach a certain level – or trigger – the National Society quickly activatesearly actions in coordination with volunteers and staff at the local level. In this way, communities can receive alerts up to five days ahead of the arrival of the predicted flood.Within those five days, people have time to protect themselves and others by, among other things, strengthening infrastructure, keeping informed about weather conditions, and storing important documents and hazardous materials high up, out of harm’s way.In November 2023, the Uganda Red Cross Society received warnings ahead of major floods for the first time using this methodology, triggering early action to prepare for heavy rainfall.“Impact-based forecasting helped me identify high-risk areas prone to flooding and activate Red Cross teams for preparedness activities”, says Joel Kitutu, Project Manager at the URCS. “Communities across Uganda were able to clear drainage channels and evacuate before floods hit, reducing impact on homes and saving lives."The partnership between the Uganda Red Cross Society and the Netherlands Red Cross showcases the power of collaboration inlocalizing humanitarian action. By leveraging innovative, data-driven strategies such as impact-based forecasting, the two National Societies are at the forefront of proactive disaster preparedness and response. Together, they ensure that community needs are prioritized to optimally support affected populations in Uganda.The work to support local communities in Uganda is supported by theProgrammatic Partnershipbetween the IFRC network and the European Union. The partnership provides strategic, flexible, long-term and predictable funding, so that National Societies can act before a crisis or health emergency occurs. It is being implemented in 24 countries around the world.Click here to learn more about the data and digital work of the Netherlands Red Cross.

Mpox in DRC: How being prepared for epidemics leads to a more effective response

“The first symptom was fever. The next day, I noticed the appearance of spots. They burned like a rash. They spread everywhere on my body. I thought: what kind of disease is this?”Basele from Mbandaka, Équateur province is one of more than 8000 people confirmed to have caught mpox in DRC this year amid an alarming surge in cases. Fortunately, Basele was quickly pointed in the right direction by the DRC Red Cross to get the support she needed to recover and limit the spread of infection.“The Red Cross volunteers came to my home. They told me that the disease was contagious, that if someone in my family gets sick we can all become infected in our house. So we have to get off our feet and go to the hospital when the illness starts,” explains Basele.Mpox is the latest in a long line of epidemics to hit DRC, with the country suffering from recurrent outbreaks of cholera, Ebola and measles—among other diseases—in recent years.The DRC Red Cross has learned many lessons from responding to these health crises. And through the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), with funding from USAID and technical support from IFRC, the National Society has done lots of work in recent years to prepare its volunteers, communities and partners to leap into action against mpox.Early detection, early action, healthier communitiesThrough the CP3 programme, more than 300 Red Cross volunteers in Équateur had already been trained in epidemic control and community-based surveillance (CBS)—gaining the knowledge, skills and tools needed to be able to rapidly detect and report potential mpox cases. Since the escalation of the epidemic, this training has been expanded and delivered to a further 700+ volunteers in the province.Together, these volunteers play a vital role in their communities finding people showing mpox symptoms, alerting local health authorities through a CBS system, and encouraging people to seek help at mpox treatment centres.“With regard to CP3, we work in close collaboration with Red Cross volunteers. They go out into the community, they look for sick people, they bring them to the health centre... we take care of them here at our mpox site,” explains Monique Itala Mulo, Head Nurse at Mama Elikya Referral Health Centre in Mbandaka.By quickly finding and reporting suspected mpox cases, and encouraging people to seek treatment, the risk of the disease spreading is reduced. The National Society and local health authorities also use the data collected through CBS to inform their response activities.Trust built over time enables wide reach and accessAs members of the communities they serve, DRC Red Cross volunteers are known and trusted by the local population in Équateur and benefit from wide reach and access. Before the current surge in mpox cases, volunteers were already reaching far and wide into communities to raise awareness about the disease and tell people to stay safe.“We go door-to-door to speak to people in their homes. We go to schools, we go to churches, we go to hot spots—markets, ports, entry points, checkpoints—any places where we can interact with the community. The community is starting to raise [mpox] alerts themselves. In other words, the impact is already positive,” says Dr Leblanc Monzeba, Head of Health Division in the Équateur branch of DRC Red Cross.Having already established deep and trusting relationships with communities, volunteers are able to effectively challenge mpox stigma and rumours that may prevent people from seeking help and convince people to adopt healthy behaviours, such as following good hygiene practices.According to Dr Leblanc, one particularly notable area of behaviour change observed is within the traditional healer community.“We held advocacy sessions with traditional healers to explain the importance of notifiying health authorities of people showing signs of mpox. Previously, the traditional healers would keep the patient at home. But now they are starting to pass on information, and when they see patients who present signs of mpox, they send them directly to the nearest health centre,” he explains.Strong partnerships lay the foundation for effective responseBefore the current surge in mpox cases, the DRC Red Cross had already established strong working relationships with government authorities and various stakeholders to prepare for epidemics and pandemics.“The Red Cross is our go-to partner during epidemics, just as we work together outside of an epidemic. We always collaborate,” says Dr Elaba Bibiche, Head Doctor in Mbandaka Health Zone.Thanks to its prior preparation and auxiliary role to health authorities, DRC Red Cross has been able to fit seamlessly into the government’s mpox response plan and intervene in clearly defined areas.Pre-existing relationships with various media outlets are also enabling DRC Red Cross to reach tens of thousands of people across the province with lifesaving health information."I've been partnering with the Red Cross for six years. We have a really good working relationship. They were the first organisation to start raising community awareness about mpox. We do programmes with their staff and volunteers, phone-in shows where people call in to ask questions about mpox and get the answers they need,” explains Trésor Ikonda, Director General at Radio Evangile Eternel in Équateur.As the response to mpox continues, and though significant challenges remain, DRC Red Cross staff and volunteers feel positive that their preparedness efforts are paying off as they strive to reduce the impact of the epidemic on communities.“The DRC Red Cross branch in Équateur has the capacity to manage epidemics thanks to the IFRC. Since 2018, we have faced a series of large epidemics in Équateur. It’s from the experience of managing other epidemics and from implementing the CP3 programme—which meant that we already had trained volunteers on the ground working in the different health zones—that we had the capacity to respond to mpox,” explains Colomban Mampunya, DRC Red Cross Équateur Branch President.--The activities featured in this article are part of the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).  Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supports communities, National Societies and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats.USAID’s Bureau of Global Health has also provided additional support to IFRC and DRC Red Cross for mpox response activities.If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter or visit the DRC Red Cross website.

Urgent action required to tackle ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar after Typhoon Yagi

Kuala Lumpur/Yangon, 9 December – Myanmar is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis as it struggles to recover from the devastating impact of Typhoon Yagi in September, which caused severe flooding and landslides affecting over 1.1 million people across 70 townships.The typhoon has exacerbated a pre-existing humanitarian crisis, with 18 million people already in need of humanitarian assistance due to the compounding impacts of ongoing conflict and rising poverty due to lost livelihoods and a struggling economy, amidst back-to-back climate disasters.The destruction of more than 2.3 million hectares of agricultural land containing rice paddies and other crops, 176,000 livestock losses, and extensive damage to homes, schools, roads, and power infrastructure during the typhoon have pushed communities to the brink. Many vulnerable communities have also been left with limited access to essential services such as clean water, healthcare and sanitation.Families reliant on farming are facing food insecurity and prolonged economic hardship. Additionally, extensive flooding has left behind debris and contaminated water sources, compounding health risks and jeopardizing recovery efforts.Field visits and needs analysis conducted by the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) in October and November indicate that the most pressing needs include provision of food and basic needs, including cash assistance, shelter and household recovery, livelihood restoration and mental health and psychosocial support for communities coping with loss and displacement.In September, immediately after the floods, the IFRC and MRCS launched a 2.5 million CHF emergency appeal in response to the crisis to support 25,000 people over the next year, with MRCS mobilising over 400 volunteers and reaching more than 34,000 people with multi-sectoral assistance, including immediate lifesaving search and rescue efforts, evacuating those in danger from the floods.Between 18 September and 31 October, over 25,000 people received emergency shelter and household items, more than 34,000 people received heathcare support, 33,000 people received clean water and sanitation services, and more than 7,300 women and girls received dignity kits, containing vital female hygiene and toiletry items. The latest IFRC operational update has been published to provide more detailed information on the progress of the response.However, significant challenges continue to impede effective humanitarian operations in Myanmar, with restricted access remaining a major barrier, particularly in transporting essential non-food items to conflict-affected areas.The IFRC is calling for all stakeholders and humanitarian partners to collaborate and ensure a rapid and effective response to help affected communities recover and rebuild their lives.Operations Manager of the Myanmar Country Delegation for the IFRC, Christie Samosir, said:“Humanitarian principles drive our work. In line with global practice, the IFRC continues to support MRCS to engage with all parties to facilitate access and ensure that assistance reaches the vulnerable and crisis-affected population. Coordinated efforts like these are crucial during emergency for the humanitarian assistance to be delivered in time.”Moe Thida Win, Director of MRCS’s Disaster Management Department, added:“The floods caused by Typhoon Yagi have left many families in despair, with no homes, no clean water and no basic necessities. We must act now to address these urgent needs and prioritise the safety and dignity of affected populations.”The IFRC thanks its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners and its generous donors for their support and their commitment to providing urgent assistance and medium-term support for the communities in need. As we face an escalating climate emergency and a protracted crisis, our work is more critical than ever in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from these frequent and increasingly severe disasters.The IFRC emergency appeal is currently 31% funded and requires additional support of 1.7 million CHF to fill the funding gap in order to reach more affected people and address the humanitarian needs. This is in addition to over 900,000 CHF contributed by member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies directly to the MRCS for its flood response, complementary to the IFRC emergency appeal.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Yangon:Swe Zin Myo Win +95 97959 56050In Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60192713641In Geneva:Hannah Copeland, +41762369109