When the rivers rose: Despite mud, washed-out roads and blackouts, Indonesia Red Cross volunteers delivered clean water, health and a ray of hope

Red Cross activates Early Action Protocols at the first signs of drought in El Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia

Panama City, 11 June 2026 — The Red Cross Societies of El Salvador, Guatemala and Colombia have activated their Early Action Protocols to protect more than 22,000 people at the first signs of drought. In all three countries, the lack of rainfall could worsen as a result of the El Niño phenomenon, which, according to the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), entered its active phase on 11 June.Early Action Protocols are instruments that bring together measures agreed in advance among communities, public authorities and the Red Cross, and are triggered when certain risk thresholds are reached, so that aid can be mobilized before damage occurs."Drought is a slow-motion disaster: it does not arrive in a single night and it rarely makes the headlines, which is why aid runs the risk of arriving too late," explained Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas. "The difference between a hazard and a humanitarian crisis is almost always decided before the impact. This time, thanks to weather forecasts, pre-agreed joint action and anticipatory financing, we know that the moment to protect people is now."In Colombia, El Salvador and Guatemala, the activation of the drought Early Action Protocols is based on data gathered by the three countries' meteorological services, which point to the same forecast: rainfall well below normal for the June-to-August quarter, just as the agricultural cycle begins.In El Salvador, the General Directorate of the Environmental Observatory warned of a rainfall deficit between May and July. In Guatemala, the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology (INSIVUMEH) forecasts El Niño-related conditions with a 70 per cent probability, along with below-normal rainfall. In Colombia, a cartographic analysis by the Institute of Hydrology, Meteorology and Environmental Studies (IDEAM) estimates a more than 50 per cent probability of below-normal rainfall and a moderate drought index by August.National Red Cross teams had been waiting for this scientific data to launch the readiness activities funded by the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). In total, this fund has 1.2 million Swiss francs (CHF) — around 1.5 million US dollars — available for early action against drought in the three countries. This funding is not allocated all at once: it is released in stages, as forecasts reach the risk thresholds agreed in advance among communities, public authorities and the Red Cross, so that each tranche of aid is mobilized just before the impact, not after.IFRC-DREF resources will make it possible to assist 10,000 people in the departments of Morazán and La Unión, in El Salvador; another 10,000 in municipalities of Guatemala's Dry Corridor, such as Chiquimula, Jalapa and Quetzaltenango; and 2,400 in the Colombian departments of Tolima and Cesar.Although each context is different, the measures follow the same logic: to act before the disaster strikes and to protect, at the same time, the food security, livelihoods, health and water access of affected communities — areas that droughts tend to hit simultaneously.The Red Cross will support families in the most vulnerable situations through cash transfers to safeguard food, obtain fuel and cover basic needs without depleting their assets. Teams will also provide safe drinking water as sources begin to run low, supplies to protect crops and livestock, and training in adaptive farming practices, hygiene and the prevention of heat-related illnesses.Worldwide, only one in every 10 dollars allocated to humanitarian action is invested in reducing or mitigating disaster risk. "It is critical that governments, cooperation agencies, financial institutions and international organizations invest in anticipatory action, early warning systems and forecast-based humanitarian action as essential mechanisms to protect lives, reduce economic losses and strengthen resilience," said Pace.For more information, contact: [email protected] Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes +50769993199

IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund 2026 Annual Plan

“We’re always afraid that another storm is on the way.” Spending time with Carine, a volunteer supporting families affected by the strong winds in Gabon.

Local volunteers and new energy sources power the Cuban Red Cross’s response to Hurricane Melissa six months after the storm 

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

Eight actions taken by the Red Cross network in the Americas to protect women and girls affected by crises and disasters

Philippines earthquake: 30 seconds and a life turned upside down

The Colombian Red Cross has assisted in the return of over 5,300 people so far in 2025 as part of its National Migration Strategy

Today, on International Migrants Day, we honour the journeys, dignity and resilience of those who move, as well as the humanity behind every act of welcome.The Colombian Red Cross demonstrates this commitment every week in its auxiliary role, when its staff and volunteers support Colombians returning on flights from the United States.What started as an unexpected request has evolved into a well-organised, compassionate and deeply humane response centred on protection, active listening and adaptability.As of 16 December 2025, the Colombian Red Cross has assisted 5,334 people arriving on 47 flights operated by the Colombian Air Force to El Dorado Airport, thanks to support from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF).The first step: facing the unknownElizabeth Becerra, leader of the Colombian Red Cross migration team, recalls the chaos of those first few hours:“When we received the call from the Foreign Ministry the night before the flight arrived, we immediately activated the preparation process together with the different mission areas of our National Society,” she recalls. “Although we were facing an unknown scenario, our staff and volunteers arrived with a clear mission: to assist our fellow citizens with compassion and dedication. Some accompanied children, while others provided psychosocial support, shared a hot meal or provided primary healthcare, once again demonstrating the humanitarian commitment that characterises us.”That first night marked the start of a learning journey that has led to a response grounded in the principles of humanity, impartiality, and profound respect for people's rights.As the flights continued, support increased. Volunteers brought colours, plasticine and open hearts to welcome those returning home.Then, at the request of the Foreign Ministry, teams began accompanying people on their journey home and providing care during the flight. They listened to stories for over five hours, bearing witness to moments of catharsis and relief, and adapted each service to meet people's individual needs.“The children told us about events they had experienced months earlier. For them, it was reassuring to be on a plane that would take them home,” explains Elizabeth.As they got to know and understand the needs and preferences of the migrants, the team adapted their response. A hot empanada or a ponimalta became more than just food — they were a symbol of a warm welcome home.“The faces are etched in your memory when you give someone an empanada, they look at it, look at you, and start crying. It's strange for you because it's just an empanada, but for someone who has gone through this process, it's a psychosocial empanada; it's food that makes them feel at home,” says Fabiana Parra, Project Officer at the Colombian Red Cross.Expanding the scope: support from IFRC-DREF“We then realised that we needed both an air and a ground response. So we started looking for resources and deployed even more,”Elizabeth explains.That's when the support of the IFRC network came into play. Thanks to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the Colombian Red Cross was able to increase its on-the-ground assistance, providing hydration, food, legal guidance, psychosocial support, personalised care, safe shelter and the simple yet powerful gesture of asking, "Would you like some coffee? How would you like it?” Because dignity begins with choice."It's impossible not to be moved when you see their faces as they enter the accommodation service. After so much uncertainty and exhaustion, it's almost unimaginable for many to be able to rest in a clean bed in a quiet room with privacy and choose from a buffet breakfast,” says Elizabeth. “In those small gestures, they feel they can finally breathe. For them, it's like touching the sky.”“This humanitarian response has transformed the way we understand our daily work. We have witnessed hugs that had been years in the making, parents and children being reunited after long periods of silence” Elizabeth continues.“We have accompanied families who arrive at the airport on flight after flight, clinging to the hope of hearing news from their loved ones, with our hearts in our hands. Amidst all these stories, we have also felt how love can bridge distances through a simple phone call, bringing comfort, relief and dignity to those who need it most.”National Migration Strategy 2024–2030The immediate response work at El Dorado Airport is just one visible sign of a deeper commitment.In line with the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement's Global Migration Strategy, the Colombian Red Cross formalised its National Migration Strategy 2024–2030 in 2024. This long-term, rights-based framework recognises migration as a human right, committing the institution to providing multisectoral, humane and inclusive support throughout the country.The strategy strengthens protection pathways, expands access to healthcare, integrates legal and psychosocial support, promotes social inclusion and reinforces humanitarian diplomacy and coordination with local, national and international authorities."Everyone has been involved in this process, from our managers to those who support us in administrative areas and the mission teams,” explains Elizabeth. “It has been deeply meaningful to see how, even from behind a desk, humanity can be transformed into a concrete response for our fellow citizens. That is priceless.”Every Thursday over the past year, as the flights arrive, Red Cross teams have encountered people who are exhausted and emotionally drained. The following morning, after resting, showering and eating a hot meal, the teams see renewed faces, reunited families and people who feel at home again.

Early action in Yemen: How Red Crescent volunteers protected families from the floods

When heavy rains swept across Abs district in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate last August, thousands of internally displaced families - uprooted by conflict and living in fragile shelters - found themselves exposed within minutes.Tents collapsed, roofs made of lightweight materials disintegrated, and families woke up surrounded by mud and rising water with nowhere to go.For many, the night felt endless. For some, it was life-threatening."It was very intense and very frightening." — A father’s night of fearHadi Mohammed Shaer Al-Aslami recounts the fear:"The rain was heavy and frightening. From 9 at night until 3 in the morning, it didn’t stop. It felt like a hurricane, extremely scary. I was holding onto the door with my young son next to me, crying. My mother’s shelter collapsed completely over her head. We never know how strong the rains will be each year, but this year, they were very intense and very frightening."Early preparedness supported by IFRC-DREFIn the days before the heaviest rains, Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) teams had already been monitoring alerts, identifying at-risk areas, and encouraging families to move away from flood channels.These steps - supported by IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) - helped position teams and materials closer to high-risk communities.Dr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Nassar, Executive Director of YRCS in Hajjah, explains: "We were able to anticipate the disaster. We prepared our teams and identified the communities most at risk. We didn’t wait, we acted early."A race against rising waterWhen the rain intensified overnight, volunteers moved immediately. Thanks in part to the DREF allocation, YRCS teams reached displacement sites within the first hour, while the flooding was still unfolding."The response was quick and humane. Our teams were distributing relief items, providing first aid, and setting up temporary shelter," Dr. Ahmed recalls.Across the district, the destruction was severe.Volunteer Nasser Al-Adba'i describes: "Homes were destroyed and many families had nothing left. People were in the open, without shelter or food."YRCS was the only actor able to reach the sites in time."We were the only ones in the field at the right moment. We assessed the needs and started distributions right away," he says.Volunteers standing by familiesPreparedness measures taken days earlier, including awareness sessions, simple protective barriers to divert floodwater, and helping families move away from dangerous flood paths, reduced the impact in several high-risk areas."These early steps really helped," Nasser says.Volunteer Jaradah Abdullah recalls how a small protective barrier built earlier prevented an entire displacement site from being swept away: "Without it, we could have lost lives, not just homes."Shelter, cash, and relief for families who lost everythingYRCS volunteers worked around the clock to provide emergency shelter materials, transitional tents, mattresses, blankets, and cash assistance to help affected families buy food and essential items.Volunteer Lina Mohjib says: "The damage was huge, but the support gave people hope again. Without shelter and cash assistance, many would have had to leave the area completely."Volunteer Khaled Sultan also recalls families sleeping in the open, waiting for help: "People were outside with no shelter and no food. We were able to provide transitional shelters during those first days to protect them from the ongoing rains."Local action, strengthened by timely supportThe August floods in Abs highlighted the importance of local presence, early preparedness, and fast mobilization. Volunteers - many from the same communities affected - moved quickly to reach those in greatest danger.As Dr. Ahmed reflects: "This response strengthened our confidence in our ability to protect people early, before the situation becomes a tragedy."Preparedness and early action like this save lives.To see how the IFRC and its member National Societies help communities act before hazards turn into disasters, explore:• Early warning, early action at IFRC• How the IFRC-DREF supports rapid local response

IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund 2024 Annual Report

Mauritania: Vital aid strengthening solidarity between people on the move and the families who host them

In Rosso, Mauritania, on the banks of the Senegal River, the constant back and forth of pirogues and ferries shapes daily life. Every day, hundreds of people cross the river, linking this Mauritanian city to its Senegalese twin of the same name on the opposite bank.Rosso’s strategic position makes it a major economic and migratory crossroads between Mauritania and Senegal—a gateway to the south and a transit point for sub-Saharan migrants heading towards the Maghreb and Europe.In recent months, the city has faced a growing influx of people on the move. Many arrive exhausted from long journeys, lacking access to drinking water, sufficient food, or safe shelter.Humanitarian service points: Lifelines in transitTo respond to these urgent needs, the Mauritanian Red Crescent has established two Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs)—one at the Rosso pier and another at the local committee headquarters. For many migrants in transit, these spaces have become lifelines offering essential services.“We provide them with food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and phone services for those seeking to contact loved ones,” explains Mohamed Ould Lemine, Head of Volunteer and Migration Programmes at the Mauritanian Red Crescent. “But the daily increase in arrivals quickly overwhelmed our capacity.” Host families: The front line of solidarityBehind this visible humanitarian emergency lies another, quieter strain—that faced by host families in Rosso. These households, already struggling with limited resources, are often the first to extend a helping hand to migrants and displaced people, embodying the spirit of solidarity.To support both migrants and the communities that welcome them, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mobilized 375,000 Swiss francs through its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). This assistance aims to reach 4,500 migrants and 600 vulnerable host families, thereby strengthening local mutual aid capacities and social cohesion.A more equitable and inclusive responseFar from the bustle of the river crossing, dozens of Mauritanian Red Crescent volunteers are at work across several neighborhoods of Rosso-ville, distributing cash assistance to 600 vulnerable host families. This financial support helps households meet their most urgent needs and regain a sense of stability.“It was time for humanitarian actors to think of us too. This is the first aid we have received,” says Mohamed Tahet Ould Sidi, head of the Haye Nezaha 1 neighborhood in the outskirts of Rosso, expressing a long-felt sense of neglect.In the courtyard of his home, temporarily transformed into a distribution site, hope flickers anew. Under the scorching sun, women—many of them the sole breadwinners for their families—line up to receive support that can make a world of difference.“Before, we lived simply but managed to get by,” says Salma Hemet, 54, a mother of seven from the Jadida neighborhood. “Then everything became difficult: the prices of rice and sugar went up, and our income disappeared.”Building shared resilienceFor the IFRC and the Mauritanian Red Crescent, this integrated approach reflects a long-term vision—one that sees assistance not as charity, but as an investment in shared resilience.“By supporting both migrants and host families, we recognize their crucial role,” explains Makan Boubacar Sissao, IFRC Migration Programme Officer, referring to the support that host families provide.“We are not just distributing aid; we are strengthening social cohesion and helping communities build resilience together.”

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

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

IFRC-DREF Stories

Tanzania: Red Cross helps contain deadly Marburg outbreak while preparing communities for future epidemics

When the Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak hit parts of Tanzania in early 2025, the Tanzania Red Cross Society (TRCS) sprang into action, leveraging years of epidemic preparedness and support from the IFRC to contain the deadly virus.From emergency response to long-term recovery, the Red Cross volunteers have been working alongside the Ministry of Health to protect the most vulnerable, restore trust, and build a future where communities are better prepared to face health crises.Often fatal, Marburg virus disease is a severe illness similar to Ebola that is characterized by high fever, headaches, and in many cases, internal bleeding.Thanks to the rapid mobilization, the total number of cases was relatively low (a total of 10 cases as of 4th March 2025). However, the fatality rate was 100 per cent – underscoring the urgent nature of a concerted, community wide response.That rapid action was also enabled by a 280,00 Swiss franc allocation from IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund.From training to swift actionAs a first step in its emergency response, TRCS trained 50 community health workers and volunteers in high-risk districts, equipping them epidemic control skills to detect and respond to potential cases.These teams were mobilized across communities, conducting door-to-door visits to identify suspected infections, provide health education, and dispel dangerous myths about the disease.“Our volunteers were the first line of defense,” said a staff member from TRCS. “They not only alerted health authorities to possible cases but also ensured families understood how to protect themselves.”The teams also offered mental health and psychosocial support to those affected, including people in quarantine. Recognizing that outbreaks do not affect everyone equally, TRCS also trained staff and volunteers on protection, gender, and inclusion methods to ensure all parts of the community were fully represented.Volunteers learned to prioritize dignity, access, and safety for all — especially women, children, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.Battling misinformation with trust and dialogueRumors and misinformation spread as quickly as the virus itself. To counter this, TRCS engaged community leaders, traditional healers, and even schoolchildren in open dialogues. Through meetings, home visits, and public discussions, volunteers addressed rumors and misconceptions about both Marburg Virus and Mpox.“At first, people thought Marburg was a curse,” said one volunteer. “But by listening to their fears and explaining the facts, we built trust—and that saved lives.”Recovery and preventionWith the Ministry of Health declaring the end of the outbreak in March 2025, TRCS shifted focus to recovery. Over 100 new volunteers were trained in Ngara and Muleba districts to reinforce disease prevention, mental health support, and community engagement.In collaboration with its multiple partners, meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has developed a three-month recovery plan.As part of that plan, TRCS continued to deliver epidemic disease awareness in the affected areas, with volunteers and community health workers going house-to-house to educate people about disease prevention, reduce stigmas, and address fears among community members regarding the safety of the health facilities after the recent outbreak.In all, more than 1.5 million people were reached with critical health messages.As Tanzania recovers, the Red Cross remains vigilant—because in the fight against epidemics, preparation today means lives saved tomorrow.A lessons-learned workshop is on the horizon, aiming to strengthen future responses and ensure that past challenges are transformed into opportunities for improvement.Learn more:IFRC’s approach to epidemic and pandemic preparednessIFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund

Cash assistance in Costa Rica and Panama: A tale of two towns with the same name and a common story of resilience, recovery and solidarity

Ana Grace Solís and Leonel Rodríguez live more than 800 kilometers apart and they’ve never met. But they have a few interesting things in common.First, they both live in towns named Bebedero, which as the name would suggest are located on the banks of a river. (In Spanish, bebedero usually means a place where people can access water – a fountain, a well or even a river).Second, they both suffered the severe consequences brought on by the heavy rains from tropical storm Sara in November 2024, as well as several other low-pressure systems that recently caused historic floods in Central America.While the towns are far part – one in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica and the other in the province of Los Santos, Panama – both were hit hard.That month, more than 1.1 million people were at dire risk due floods, river overflows and landslides caused by extreme weather events.It was a very scary time."You don't know how high the water will get," said Ana Grace, who lives in Bebedero in Costa Rica. "We used to watch the water rise and lift things to a certain height. Now, every time there is a flood, you lose things."Along the Pacific coast – from Guanacaste and Puntarenas in Costa Rica to Veraguas, Panama Este and the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca in Panama – entire communities were evacuated, cut off from communications, and they suffered severe economic losses.Fortunately, the two towns share another important point in common: they both received support from local Red Cross teams before, during and after the emergency."We are grateful for their support because they managed to get to where we were stuck and give us the help we needed," said Leonel, from El Bebedero, Panama.Two operations, one fund: IFRC-DREFThat support came largely from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), a resource that finances rapid emergency response using funds already provided by donors in case of emergency.Faced with this multi-country crisis, the Costa Rican Red Cross and the Panamanian Red Cross, with the support of IFRC-DREF, implemented two humanitarian operations, one in each country.Their response included health care, access to clean water, protection of the most vulnerable, and an increasingly valued tool for its positive impact: cash transfers.The Costa Rican Red Cross aimed to help 7,500 people, focusing on the provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas. Of these, 4,000 received cash transfers, a strategy that allowed the people impacted by the disasters to prioritize and make decisions about their own needs.Following community censuses to identify the most vulnerable households, the Costa Rican Red Cross organised the delivery of debit cards in safe and accessible places, always respecting the dignity and privacy of the families."Providing them with financial assistance also allows the family to manage their own needs in a more independent and autonomous way, but also more adapted to their own context," explains Abigail Lopez, IFRC-DREF Emergency Coordinator in Costa Rica.For Fidel Espinoza, a dialysis patient who was evacuated during the emergency, the money allowed him to replace at least some of what he had lost. "I lost the washing machine and the chairs, the table, the kitchen. Now the only thing I have left is to buy a washing machine because the lady who helps me washes by hand," he said.The Red Cross humanitarian response also included health fairs to promote hygiene, post-flood waste management and disease prevention. Cleaning kits, jerry cans for drinking water and repellents were also distributed to strengthen communities' capacity to prevent further health crises.The Panamanian Red Cross was able to assist 2,500 people thanks to an operation structured in the same way as the Costa Rican Red Cross.The process for delivering the monetary assistance was participatory: socioeconomic evaluations were carried out, household data were validated, debit card distribution days were organized, and advice was given on the safe use of the money. During distribution, children participated in mental health activities.The families then invested in whatever they deemed necessary: food, medicines, tools for rebuilding or school supplies."It has been an excellent help that they have given to the community of Flores, including the emotional one," said Marisin Pimentel, who was affected by the floods. "The Red Cross guided us on issues that we did not know about at the time of the floods, and we really thank them from the bottom of our hearts. If there is another flood, we already know what to do”.Read more about cash and voucher assistance: A key tool in modern humanitarian action that allows a rapid and flexible response, empowers people to make their own decisions, and boosts local economies.The IFRC’s approach to cash and voucher assistanceDignifying, diverse and desires: Cash and vouchers as humanitarian assistance for migrantsBelize: After a season of drought and fire wiped out farmlands, Red Cross help farmers sow the seeds of recovery

Return of Afghans from Pakistan could worsen already dire humanitarian situation

Kabul/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 14 April 2025 - After decades of seeking refuge in Pakistan, up to a million Afghans could face return to Afghanistan following a directive by the government of Pakistan which would require all Afghans without valid visas to leave the country by 31 March 2025.In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is supporting the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) to address the immediate and longer-term needs of 50,000 people. The IFRC has allocated an initial 750,000 Swiss Francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to enable the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) to provide shelter, emergency health services, food and water, all of which are in desperately short supply for Afghans returning from Pakistan.The humanitarian needs of people returning to Afghanistan are high. Many have abandoned their livelihoods and personal belongings in Pakistan. Children, many of whom are already malnourished, need specialized care. Many families have been separated during the journey and need support to restore family links. Longer term support will also be needed to help people to re-establish their lives in Afghanistan. This latest development comes on top of already high numbers of people returning to Afghanistan. Since September 2023, almost 850,000 people have already returned from Pakistan in addition to significant numbers of Afghans also returning from Iran, according to UN data. (Source: https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/afghanistan).Mawlawi Sheikh Shahabuddin Delawar, the Acting President of the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), emphasized the urgent need for action.“People returning are facing numerous challenges that they cannot navigate alone. Women and children represent a significant portion of those returning, and ensuring their safety and well-being must be our top priority. As a local organisation with a presence across the country, our aim is to provide immediate relief and long-term support to help people rebuild their lives safely and with dignity.”Ahmed Suliman, the interim Head of Delegation for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) in Afghanistan, expressed concern about the potential scale of the crisis:“This dynamic situation will impact millions of people. Addressing immediate needs - such as food, healthcare, and shelter – is our top priority, while also planning to support people in the longer-term. The IFRC and National Societies are working alongside ARCS to tackle these challenges and provide tailored support people most in need.”Currently, conditions in Afghanistan are not conducive for sustainable return and reintegration of large numbers of people, amid high levels of malnutrition and a struggling economy. There are also millions of internally displaced people in the country. Existing humanitarian support is insufficient to meet current needs and will only come under more pressure as higher numbers of people return. In Afghanistan, support for people returning is part of a broader humanitarian response, addressing the needs of both returnees and communities in places of return. The Afghan Red Crescent Society, as a local humanitarian organisation, is well placed to understand the evolving needs and priorities of returnees at various points along the return process. IFRC emphasizes that all returns must be voluntary, safe and dignified.   IFRC also calls on the international community to provide adequate support to meet the growing humanitarian needs of people returning to Afghanistan.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]  For more information on IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund: https://www.ifrc.org/happening-now/emergency-appeals/ifrc-disaster-response-emergency-fundIn Afghanistan:  Sayed Eshaq Muqbel: +93 70 733 6040In Kuala Lumpur: Lili Chin: +60 16 234 0872In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

After the storms and floods, Lao Red Cross and IFRC help people reclaim their dreams

Keokaen arrives late to the cash-distribution site in Hart Don Chai village, juggling his two-year-old son, Bounkhorp, in one arm, his family’s registration book and beneficiary card in one hand, while hanging on to a half-empty milk bottle in another.His wife had left before sunrise to forage for rattan shoots, hoping to earn 60,000 Lao kip (2.50 Swiss Francs) from this much-loved forest delicacy. She won’t return until after sundown. At home, Keokaen’s 85-year-old mother, frail from years of illness and unable to walk, isn’t able to care for herself nor her young grandson.“I had to come for the cash assistance today,” Keokaen says. “But I also have to look after my son and hurry home to care for my mother.”Keokaen has been a rice farmer since leaving school after fifth grade, but this year’s storms and floods wiped out nearly half of his rice crop—grain that should have sustained his family for the entire year. His biggest concern now is how to provide for his family.Within minutes of arriving at the cash-distribution, he receives 2 million Lao kip (82 Swiss Francs) and heads home. “First, I will buy milk for him,” Keokaen says, as his son reaches for the bottle. “These days, he goes through a pack a week.”But the small cash grants, he says, are about much more than day-to-day survival. They are a chance to begin investing again in the family’s future. “I want him to go to school – unlike me –become a doctor and take care of me when I get old,” he says, looking down at his son.Lao Red Cross respondsKeokaen is just one among thousands of people who have come to the 47 cash distribution sites set up by the Lao Red Cross across eight provinces in recent months. The small cash grants – provided via the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) – support families affected by widespread destruction from floods that took place between July and September 2024. During that time, a series of tropical storms – including Typhoon Prapiroon and Typhoon Yagi – struck Lao PDR, triggering severe floods and landslides in nearly all provinces. The disaster damaged infrastructure, homes, and agricultural land, leading to significant losses of crops, grain storage, and livelihoods.In response, the Lao Red Cross immediately deployed emergency rescue teams to evacuate families to safety, while providing clean water to nearly 4,000 people, and distributing food items to over 14,000 people.The rapid response was supported by an IFRC-DREF allocation of CHF 500,000, with which LRC ultimately assisted more than 28,600 people, including roughly 14,800 women, 300 people with disabilities, 5,000 elderly, and 3,900 children under five.‘I represent my family’Also arriving at the distribution side is Thonglien, whose family has been working in the forest since the night before, collecting wild sugar palm fruit to sell at 15,000 Lao kip (.60 Swiss Francs) per kilogram.How much they earn depends entirely on how much they can carry out of the jungle. Nearly all their rice fields have been destroyed, leaving them scrambling for what little they can earn.Born with a mobility impairment, Thonglien does not usually venture far from home. He looks after the house while the rest of the family forages into the forest. But this day is different. With everyone else unable to come, Thonglien is the only one able to attend the cash distribution—an opportunity to support his family in a meaningful way.“I will buy some rice for the family,” Thonglien says, glancing at the wooden crutches he made himself. “But also ... I’ll use some to buy parts to make myself new crutches. These ones are worn out.”It was these very crutches that had helped Thonglien escape to higher ground when the floodwaters came. As he stands waiting at the cash-distribution site, he says his real satisfaction lies in the fact that he is actively contributing to his family’s well-being and dignity.“Today, I represent my family,” he said, his voice full of emotion.A chance to rebuildUnlike most people affected by the floods, Air’s rice field is up in the hills. It was untouched by the floods. But while her rice field survived, her home did not.The flood swept away Air’s home, still in the making, along the Nam Tha River. Fifty wooden planks, bought with the family’s 13-million-Lao-kip savings are now gone.“My plates, spoons—everything was scattered everywhere,”she says. “I didn’t care. I swam for three days and nights, searching for those wooden planks.”The rebuilding project had already strained their finances. Her husband, once strong, can no longer walk after an accident in the rice field so survival depends on her alone. Now, with their home investment washed away, Air has been facing an impossible choice: shelter or education.At the cash distribution site, she feels a moment of relief. With the money, she will buy the essentials – rice, salt – as well as school supplies: uniforms, books, pens.The 2 million Lao kip (81 Swiss francs) in multi-purpose cash assistance means her four children can continue attending school.She thinks about their flooded motorcycle and the repair costs looming. They will have to wait.“This is for my children,” she whispers.By Kovit PholsenaIFRC communications officer, Bangkok

Nourishing futures: School feeding and food assistance transform lives in Binga, Zimbabwe

For children in drought-stricken areas of Binga, Zimbabwe, hunger has long been a barrier to education. Many would miss school entirely, drop out of school or struggle to concentrate in class.But that’s starting to change with the help of a Zimbabwe Red Cross school-feeding programme that provides a daily serving of porridge (made with a blend of corn and soybeans) to more than 12,000 students in 11 primary schoolsThis fortified meal, rich in essential nutrients, aligns with UNICEF and World Food Programme dietary guidelines, ensuring children receive the nourishment they need to learn and grow.“For many of these children, this is their only meal of the day,” says a teacher from Siasundu Primary School, one of the schools benefiting from the program. “We’ve seen remarkable improvements—attendance has increased, dropouts have decreased, and the children are far more attentive in class. It’s truly making a difference in their lives.”Implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Department of Social Development and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the program targets schools in the hardest-hit areas. The Zimbabwe Red Cross intervention has also supported by an allocation of funds triggered as part of the Early Action Protocols of the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF).A Lifeline in the face of hungerBeyond schools, the Zimbabwe Red Cross is reaching vulnerable families with food assistance. In Ward 9 of Binga district, 67-year-old Esnathi Mudhimba cares for her sick granddaughter. For them, the 10-kilogram bag of maize meal provided per person in a household is a lifeline.“This food is keeping us alive,” Esnathi shares. “Before this, I sold baobab fruits to survive, but now I’m too old, and my granddaughter can’t help me. Without this support, I don’t know what we would have done.”Esnathi’s story is echoed by many in the district. More than 3,400 people across Wards 9 and 10 have received food aid through IFRC-DREF early action support, which has provided much-needed relief to families grappling with food insecurity.For 52-year-old Monica Mpande, who lives in Mupambe village, the support is more than just a meal—it’s a chance to rebuild. “With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children,” she says. “It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”Building resilience for the futureThe Zimbabwe Red Cross is also working to ensure that communities are better prepared for future droughts. Rehabilitated boreholes and solar-powered water points are providing reliable access to safe drinking water, while livestock dipping and deworming programs are helping farmers protect their herds and livelihoods.In Binga, where the impacts of the drought are felt in every facet of life, these programs are a vital lifeline. They represent a commitment to alleviate suffering and empower communities to build a better tomorrow. For families like Esnathi’s and Monica’s, this support is more than just food—it’s a promise of hope, dignity, and resilience in the face of adversity.

Belize: After a season of drought and fire wiped out farmlands, Red Cross help farmers sow the seeds of recovery

It’s been a hot year in Belize, the small coastal Central American country that borders Guatemala, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. The end of the dry season was characterized by an intense drought, which led to wildfires throughout the south of the country.In early June 2024, after officials declared a state of emergency in the Toledo and Cayo districts, the Belize Red Cross activated emergency plans to support the government and assist 28 affected communities.The Toledo district is one of Belize's most diverse regions, with people speaking a wide range of languages, from Mayan to Q'eqchi', English, Spanish, and Creole. Most people in the villages around Punta Gorda, the biggest town in the district, are farmers who grow cacao, corn, and tree resin (copal) to sell in local markets.The wildfires that began in May have burned over 10,000 hectares, wiping out fields of crops and impacting some 400 families in 36 Punta Gorda communities, including San Pedro Columbia and Otoxhal.Since the emergency began, the Toledo Branch of the Belize Red Cross has distributed meals to firefighters, assessed damage and needs, and provided first aid to community members, among other things. The response has been supported by an allocation from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF).“We've partnered with vendors to provide 204 families with vouchers for farming tools and supplies,” said Danielle Rose, IFRC Cash and Voucher Officer for this response. “Cash and voucher assistance as a form of assistance really gives the people the autonomy to choose what they need most.“Every family has different needs, and we truly believe that they know what they need first.”Farmers from San Pedro Columbia and other villages in Toledo received a voucher to use at two local farm supply stores. On distribution days, volunteers were in the stores to answer questions while staff from the stores were also trained to help farmers use their vouchers for the best outcomes.Many communities also organized themselves to support the response. In San Pedro Columbia, one of the villages in Toledo, local farmers formed a fire brigade to help control the fires.Cirilia, the leader of the fire brigades, is one of those farmers who used vouchers to buy farm supplies. A single mother of three, Cirilia says she will replant her farm with fruits like cacao, mango, and avocado, while also taking steps to prepare for potential future emergencies.“I’m sketching my plans and thinking ahead to minimize the impact of disasters. I’m determined to be proactive so I can protect my farm and family,’ explains Cirilia. “I’m also planning to expand into other crops, like vanilla, and explore new possibilities for my farm. I’ll be buying seeds, especially vegetable seeds, because my kids love gardening. I also plan to get gardening tools and equipment to use on the farm.”As part of the Belize Red Cross’s response to the fires, volunteers have also distributed food, hygiene, and cleaning kits in numerous villages. While the wildfires in Belize tested the resilience of communities across the Toledo District, they also revealed the strength and determination of the people affected.From forming fire brigades to reimagining their farms, individuals like Cirilia have shown that recovery is about more than rebuilding—it's about creating something stronger and more sustainable over the long term.

IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund takes important stride as it marks 45th year helping people hit by crisis

Ever since it was established 45 years ago, the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) has been a unique and essential tool that ensures communities hit by sudden crisis get the resources they need quickly and efficiently.Four and a half decades later, donors from around the world reaffirmed IFRC-DREF’s critical role in disaster response during a one-day pledging conference in Geneva, Switzerland on 8 November.By the end of the conference, donors had pledged approximately 74 million Swiss Francs. With the projected payout from IFRC-DREF Insurance before the end of the year, this total is likely to rise to 85 million Swiss Francs.IFRC-DREF is now on track, therefore, to fully meet its funding target for 2024 while increasing the total amount of raised income by 20 percent compared to 2023.These pledges move IFRC-DREF closer to its strategic ambition of growing its annual funding budget to CHF 100 million by 2025 and help ensure that people hit by small- and mid-sized disasters – which often don’t get international media attention – get the critical support they need.The fund also allocates money to help people get ahead of imminent threats such as storms, floods, heatwaves, drought and other crises.“Your pledges today ensure that before, during, or straight after the next storm hits, or the next crisis unfolds, help will be there — not as a distant promise but as a reality, and fast,” IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain told the donors who gathered for the conference.To back up his point, Chapagain recounted the story of Leonica Ibanez, who lives outside Manila, Philippines, and was hit by the full force of flooding caused by Cyclone Gaemi in June. Her family just barely survived by clinging to nearby trees.While Cyclone Gaemi only stayed in international headlines for a few days, it was devestating for Ibanez’s family. The storm completely destroyed their home.With funding from IFRC-DREF, however, the Philippines was able to help people like Leonica Ibanez find the resources to get by until they could rebuild.“An allocation from IFRC-DREF to the Philippines Red Cross was one of more than 188 allocations that, as of last week, we'd already made this year,” Chapagain continued. “So far, we've allocated over 72 million Swiss francs to help people – particularly women – respond to disasters or prepare for hazards before they hit.”IFRC-DREF also provides critical resources until more funds arrive as part of larger funding appeals. A recent case in point: IFRC-DREF allocated 2 million Swiss francs to enable the Lebanese Red Cross to scale up humanitarian services while a larger campaign for funds was being launched.When the Al-Hamshari hospital in Sidon was preparing for an influx of casualties, therefore, the hospital could remain stocked with critical medical supplies and trained staff, Chapagain noted.A new tool, already put to the testIn the months leading up to the conference, a new key tool – IFRC-DREF Insurance – was also put into action for the first time. This new modality for private financing was initiated in 2023 and was first put into practice in 2024 following the IFRC response to Typhoon Yagi, which impacted multiple countries in Southeast Asia.Under this novel private insurance model, an additional 15 million Swiss francs can be tapped for disaster response once a certain threshold – like a deductible – is met and an insurance payout can be triggered.The insurance payouts were triggered in part by the unprecedented number, scale and complexity of disasters requiring IFRC-DREF funding. Nena Stoiljkovic, IFRC’s Under Secretary General for Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization, thanked donors for their steady and growing support for IFRC-DREF and for new innovative ways of addressing today’s mounting challenges.“This year’s pledging conference demonstrated the commitment donors have to continue helping people in extremely vulnerable situations,”Stoiljkovic said. “And it shows their belief that IFRC-DREF is uniquely situated to respond quickly to humanitarian needs, particularly in the face of increasing demand, and increasingly complicated, climate-related disasters.“We look forward to even more collaboration and innovation – with all our partners and donors – in helping local communities find their way through difficult times.”Click the link below fora video recording of the full pledging conference live stream.IFRC-DREF milestonesEvery year, small and medium-sized disasters occur in silence. Without media attention or international visibility, they can struggle to attract funding. Despite this, IFRC-DREF has reached over 240 million people affected by disasters since it was launched in 1979.IFRC-DREF stands out for its commitments to channel support directly to local actors: 82 percent of allocations go directly to National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, enabling them to deliver fast and effective local humanitarian action. Globally, the average percentage of funding that goes to local actors stands at a mere 1.2 per cent.In 2023, the IFRC also reinforced the fund’s capacity to respond quickly, effectively and transparently. In partnership with Aon, Lloyd’s Disaster Risk Facility and the Centre for Disaster Protection, it launchedIFRC-DREF Insurance. By leveraging public aid budgets to mobilize private resources and make donor contributions go further, IFRC-DREF aims to assist six million more people.Please click here to read thePledge Statements Sum-Up documentfor all details. For more information about the IFRC-DREF:Visit this page on our website.For more information,you canalsocontact:Florent Del Pinto (Manager, Emergency Operations Centre)[email protected] Mrdja (Manager, National Society and Government Partners)[email protected]

Season of the floods: The Philippines Red Cross responds to the floodwaters that never went away

The floodwaters came, but they never left. In the region around Bulacan, a provincial area in Luzon, in northern Philippines, many communities have been literally knee-deep in water for more than three months plus now.Water that overflowed the banks of a river that surged in July, has remained, covering the landscape in a shallow pool ever since.“We got used to the flood waters stagnating in our homes,” saysMeldrid Liodel, a 53-year-old single mother. “We have tried not to get stressed about it. It is very difficult to stand up [due to the water], especially the cleaning, the cleaningof our homes [is difficult].”“I have six children and seven grandchildren.If you ask why we do not just move away, this is where we were born, we grew up, we made families, and we continue to fight for our lives.”Meldrid, as well as all her neighbours and communities, are learning to live their daily lives in shin-deep water. They get around in narrow canoes and many received boats from the local government to help with their daily commutes.The gardening they do for daily sustenance has also changed radically. They’ve started planting vegetables that grow well on water, and they began open air-drying fish that they catch from their rooftops. The fish and vegetables they use to earn a small income and feed their families.“These floods here started happening way back when Mount Pinatubo erupted many years ago,”Meldrid adds.“Before this, we had crops, we had a lot of rice fields, the farmers could farm, the fishermen could fish well.”Mount Pinatubo is just more than 90 kilometers from Bulacan, Central Luzon, where Meldrid’s community lives. Many years after the eruption, they realised that the entire local irrigation network, as well as the water channels and infrastructure in the surrounding regions, had been damaged by the volcano. Ever since, thousands of communities were suffering from continuous floods that would never subside.The floods are a result of a combination of back flooding, high-tide, and water brought in from storms and typhoons. This has occurred more frequently in the past decade.Just the beginningYet, this is not the full story. The Philippines sits one of the most disaster-prone zones in the world. Yearly, the country experiences multiple typhoons, floods, volcanic activity, and even earthquakes.By late November 2024, a total of six typhoons had pounded the Philippines back-to-back in various regions, dumping onto its land copious amounts of rushing water and causing widespread destruction. While international aid is vital for humanitarian purposes, it is not immediate, and affected people are in dire need of help the very hour the disaster hits.The storms only intensified the already chronic flooding problem. “Typhoon Carina was very strong, and it was sudden,”says Amelia Torres, who stands with her husband in their living room, which has been carpeted in to two feet of water since July 2024. “It suddenly intensified and didn’t go away and it didn't stop. The floods didn't subside.”All their belongings are hanging on the walls, dangling from the ceiling, or are perched on top of shelves and tables. Their bed and mattress are in the living room, about one foot above the water. “Sometimes, it's only dry for just 3 months of the year,” she adds.Rapid response fund to the rescueThis is where the IFRC DREF – Disaster Response Emergency Fund has been such a critical asset. This fund delivers financial support directly to local humanitarian actors—both before a crisis is expected to hit and after. These funds go directly to National Societies, and they are those that are very embedded in local communities.In the case of recent storms, the funds enabled the Philippine Red Cross to galvanize their response to quickly reach people while further funds are being procured globally. They were able to prepare evacuation centres,deploy evacuation teams, and quickly get hot meals, essential items, hygiene kits and more to the people.The IFRC-DREF mechanism was originally designed to respond to small- and medium-sized disasters, but it has evolved to include support for anticipatory action. By acting before disasters strike, IFRC aims for it to enable the saving of more lives and livelihoods and minimizing the devastating impacts.The Philippines have been a recipient of IFRC-DREF three times for the year 2024, and the Philippine Red Cross, along with the IFRC and partners, have been helping with relief, evacuation, hot meals, medical aid, and much more.That support is critical to people like Edgardo Sibbaluca, a construction worker in Rizal, another province in Central Luzon. His family of six experienced the full force of Super Typhoon Carina that hit in July this year.“We couldn’t save anything; we lost all our belongings,”he says. “We had to evacuate. We are now sleeping in the evacuation centre. Food is being brought to us, and that’s what we’re relying on. Fortunately, it occurred in the morning. If it had happened at night, many would have died.I felt weak; all I could see were piles of trash. I felt very weak. “But I’m thankful that at least our lives were spared. I’ll rebuild my house and fix my surroundings. I’ll plant again and go back to work. I’ll restore everything to how it was so I can get back on my feet.”“I feel like we have to be cautious now,”added Edgardo, who expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Red Cross. “We need to be prepared for disasters because we might have to evacuate again.I’m afraid of strong disasters that come suddenly.I want us to be strong and brave, to face challenges without fear and to be prepared.”By Rachel Punitha, IFRC Senior Communications Officer, Asia Pacific

Humanitarian-sector first as worldwide insurance policy pays climate disaster costs

Coinciding with COP29, the IFRC’s ‘world-first’ indemnity insurance policy demonstrates an innovative approach to financing costs of climate risk.Insurance policy – developed by Aon - was triggered in mid-September. From then, and until the end of the year, allocations from IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (‘IFRC-DREF’) are being met by the financial sector - not draining IFRC or National Red Cross/Red Crescent resourcesA ‘pledging conference’ on 8 November asked donors to contribute to the policy premium as well as to the fund directly, knowing that any premium financing help could be multiplied by the insurance when it’s needed most. Geneva – 12November 2024A commercial insurance payout has paid the bill for more than CHF 7M worth of climate disaster response costs since an innovative insurance policy triggered in September. By the end of the year, as disasters continue, it could pay as much as CHF15M towards the recovery efforts of some of the poorest communities on Earth.The IFRC-DREF is a vital fund that provides immediate support for National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies when disasters strike, especially for smaller-scale emergencies that may not attract global attention. Up to the end of 2022, the fund always ran the risk of running dry before a year’s end. That prompted the IFRC, in 2023, to secure a groundbreaking indemnity insurance policy developed by Aon – the first ever created for the humanitarian sector.For an annual premium of around CHF3M, the IFRC-DREF ‘pot’ has been insured on an indemnity basis. A potential payout of almost CHF15M is available if, or when, demands on the IFRC-DREF fund because of natural hazard-associated disasters hit a certain threshold – a ‘deductible’ set at CHF33M in one calendar year. For the rest of the calendar year, further demands on the IFRC-DREF for natural hazard disasters in ODA (‘official development assistance’) countries are covered by the insurance payout, up to that total maximum of CHF15M.In 2023, the threshold was not reached so the policy did not pay out. But in 2024 it was. It was an allocation to respond to Super Typhoon Yagi in Asia in September that tipped IFRC-DREF spend over the insurance trigger threshold.Since then, the insurance policy has paid towards disaster recovery efforts in:Vietnam - for Typhoon Yagi (17 September 2024)Nigeria – for floods (18 September 2024)South Sudan – for floods (18 September 2024)Niger - for floods (18 September 2024)Algeria – for floods (19 September 2024)Bolivia – for wildfires (21 September 2024)Mali – for floods (30 September 2024)Sierra Leone – for floods (10 March 2024)Nepal – for floods and landslides (2 October 2024)Lao PDR – for floods (16 October 2024)Sri Lanka – for floods (24 October 2024)Cuba – for Hurricane Oscar (28 October 2028)The effectiveness of IFRC-DREF insurance is a potential game-changer for the humanitarian sector.IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said:“Innovative insurance for our Disaster Response Emergency Fund gives us financial security to help communities made vulnerable by climate change when they need that help most. It gives our donors the confidence to support us knowing their contributions to the insurance premium could be multiplied many times over if needs demand it. And it sets a welcome precedent for the whole humanitarian sector in terms of how innovative finance can boost our collective responses.”Eric Andersen, President of Aon said:“Floods in Algeria, typhoons in Vietnam and wildfires in Bolivia left 43 million people impacted by disaster in September alone. At Aon, we believe funding should not, and cannot, stop emergency aid. The IFRC-DREF insurance policy expands the impact and scale of emergency aid by the IFRC and is proof that the private sector can do more to support humanitarian organizations and our world's most vulnerable populations."On 8 November, the IFRC hosted its annual ‘pledging conference’ in Geneva when donors wereencouraged to help with the insurance premium for IFRC-DREF insurance in the knowledge that, in a year that needs it, their donation could potentially be multiplied many times over.Overall, donors committed more than CHF 73M to the DREF, including an amount to cover thh insurance premium. Overall, that means the fund is worth over CHF 85M in emergency funding should that amount be needed.At the COP29 climate conference in Baku, much discussion is focused on how to secure reliable finance to tackle increasingly severe and frequent climate-caused hazards. The IFRC’s DREF insurance is an example of the sort of innovation needed and will be at the heart of the talks Notes to journalists More data is available by searching ‘DREF’ under ‘Appeal Type’ at the ‘IFRC’s Go Platform’. More information is here: IFRC-DREF InsuranceIFRC-DREF insurance is co-funded by InsuResilience Solutions Fund (ISF) to support project preparatory work, development and refinement of the insurance product as well as premium funding.IFRC-DREF insurance is also made possible by generous support in paying the premium, particularly from the British Red Cross, the Danish Red Cross and the British government (FCDO).IFRC-DREF has provided rapid and efficient funding to local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before and after disasters strike since 1979. However, with the increasing frequency and intensity of disasters, particularly due to climate change, the demand for humanitarian assistance continues to grow.The IFRC has plans to grow its IFRC-DREF insurance, to widen coverage beyond disasters caused by natural hazards - to epidemics and anticipatory action, for example. It hopes grant donors will see the added value of contributing to the IFRC-DREF fund if their humanitarian contributions could potentially be multiplied in particularly calamitous years.For more information, for interviews, for video of IFRC and Red Cross Red Crescent responses to disasters contact [email protected] Geneva:Andrew Thomas: +41 76 367 6587Hannah Copeland: +41 76 236 9109

Season of the Floods: When water no longer means life

For several months, countries in West and Central Africa have been experiencing unprecedented flooding, which has destroyed homes, devastated crops, swept away livestock, and led to the loss of human lives.Red Cross volunteers are on the front lines, assisting impacted communities with support from IFRC and its partners, who are ramping up their emergency response.So far, the IFRC and its members National Societies have launched emergency appeals inCameroon,Chad,Niger,Nigeria andSouth Sudan to expand support to many more.However, the needs are immense, and additional resources are urgently needed to support vulnerable communities.The successive floods are a stark reminder of the effects of climate change in Africa. Beyond the immediate emergency response, it is imperative to establish climate resilience measures to protect vulnerable communities, notably throughanticipatory flood actions to strengthen disaster preparedness.Cameroon and Chad: 'We haven’t slept for ten days'In Cameroon, unprecedented floods since August 2024 have affected over 455,000 people. They have submerged 85,000 hectares of land and led to the loss of livelihoods for thousands of families.“We haven’t slept for ten days,” saysAsta Waziri, leader of a women’s cooperative of maize producers. “My shop and part of my home were destroyed, taking our stock of grains and many valuable belongings.”In response to this crisis, the Cameroon Red Cross immediately deployed volunteer teams to rescue affected people and organize evacuations to non-flooded areas.With support of emergency allocations from the IFRC’sDisaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the Cameroon Red Cross has provided cash assistance to over 4,800 people, enabling them to meet urgent needs for food, clothing, and temporary shelter.The National society has also strengthened its health and sanitation efforts, educating communities on practices to prevent waterborne diseases like cholera and distributing hygiene and sanitation kits.“With the cash assistance from the Red Cross, I plan to send two or three children back to school and build at least one room with durable material,” says Aska. “At the moment we are all squeezed into one hut."Most importantly, she says, she will buy cereals that the can store and feed her family over time.In Chad, more than 1.9 million people are affected, and the Chadian Red Cross is mobilized to provide shelter, food, and essential items. However, infrastructure is inadequate to meet the needs: 217,779 homes have been destroyed, 432,203 hectares of arable land ravaged, and over 72,000 livestock lost.Nigeria: 'My family and I ran for our lives'In Nigeria, floods reached critical levels between July and September 2024. Thirty-three of the 36 states were affected, primarily due to heavy rains and the collapse of the Alau Dam in Borno State.Over three million people have been impacted, resulting in 311 deaths, more than 3,000 injuries, and the displacement of 390,000 individuals.“We all had to flee. My family and I ran for our lives. It was the most horrible moment of my life,” recounts Hadjara Habu, a mother of five whose home was destroyed by the floodwaters.The flooding also claimed more than 649 hectares of farmland, jeopardizing food security in the months ahead. Nigerian Red Cross volunteers, supported by IFRC-DREF, are providing shelter, food, drinking water, and hygiene items.Red Cross Volunteers gave people like Hajara cash vouchers to help them get through the coming days.“It is not a lot of money, but it will help us in many ways. We lost all our food items to the floods; this will help me and my family to buy food.”However, the growing number of people affected requires additional resources.Niger: A crisis worsened by climate changeIn Niger, more than 1.3 millionpeople have been affected by floods across the country’s eight regions. Official figures indicate the destruction of over 146,000 homes, loss of lives, and the devastation of over 22,000 hectares of crops.These increasingly frequent extreme weather events underscore the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure, early warning systems, and adopt climate adaptation strategies to reduce future disaster risks.In response, the Red Cross of Niger is deploying a comprehensive intervention that includes emergency assistance, health services, prevention, and awareness-raising about climate risks. The Red Cross is also providing shelter kits, distributing small cash grants, implementing prevention measures against waterborne diseases to help mitigate both short- and long-term impacts.Read more about IFRC’s six active flood related emergency appeals in Africa:CameroonChadEthiopiaNigeriaNigerSouth SudanRead more about unprecedented 2024 flooding in other regions:Season of floods: Youth in Fiji help their communities prevent the damage caused by climate changeBehind the scenes: ‘The new normal’ means the job of getting ready for disaster never endsSeason of the floods: ‘It was terrifying,’ but Red Crescent volunteers nonetheless risked all to save lives and help people recover

IFRC-DREF Pledging Conference

Leading donors from around the world gather each year at the IFRC secretariat in Geneva, Switzerland to pledge new or renewed funding to the IFRC's Disaster Response Emergency Fund, moving the fund a significant step closer to its strategic ambition of growing IFRC-DREF to 200 million Swiss Francs by 2030.