Forced to move: Communities stand together across Benin

The volunteer heart: Why are so many so driven to help others? Part 1 in a special 'Year of the Volunteer' series.

With 2026 being designated as the ‘Year of the Volunteers’, Red Vest launches the first in a series of podcasts exploring the key questions and challenges at the heart of volunteering. In this episode, we visit a welcome centre for refugees in Geneva, Switzerland where we explore the question at the heart of volunteering: what is it that drives people to help others, even when there’s no expectation of reward or reciprocation. In future episodes, we examine the critical role local volunteers play in addressing the world’s biggest challenges, the dangers and risks volunteers often face, and how volunteering often opens doors to new challenges and experiences for those who take the initiative to help others.

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.

IFRC announces closing of Humanitarian Service Point at Sea and partnership with SOS MEDITERRANEE

Budapest/Geneva, 9 December 2025– The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) regrets to announce the closing of its operation supporting people on the move on the Central Mediterranean, delivered in partnership with SOS MEDITERRANEE aboard the Ocean Viking search and rescue vessel.Despite exhaustive efforts, the IFRC has been unable to secure the necessary resources to continue the operation beyond 2025. As a result, IFRC network staff will no longer be present on board the Ocean Viking, and SOS MEDITERRANEE will cover the vessel’s operational costs alone.This mission has been a lifeline for thousands, rescuing people from the Mediterranean’s perilous waters and providing them with safety, dignity, and care. In the past four years, IFRC network teams onboard Ocean Viking helped save more than 8,600 people, including 2,200 children.“It brings us tremendous pain and sadness to have financial constraints directly impact such a vital and lifesaving operation,” said Maria Alcazar Castilla, IFRC Deputy Regional Director for Europe. “We are grateful to all our partners who supported this important initiative, from funding to sending staff onboard and advocating on behalf of migrants.”On board the Ocean Viking, IFRC teams provided post-rescue humanitarian services, including medical care, first aid, psychosocial support, food, and information about asylum procedures in Europe. Over the years, the IFRC teams participated in 156 rescue operations, distributed 96,000 meals, provided 6,500 medical consultations, and helped deliver 3,200 ‘safe and well’ messages to families of survivors. This work was carried out in an increasingly restrictive and dangerous environment, making the delivery of impartial humanitarian assistance ever more challenging.“We thank SOS MEDITERRANEE for their partnership over the years. Search and rescue operations remain a humanitarian necessity, ensuring that people in distress at sea are brought to safety. Even though our cooperation is ending, we wish for their work to continue for as long as it’s needed,”added Maria Alcazar Castilla.While IFRC’s work at sea concludes, our commitment to people on the move remains steadfast. Red Cross and Red Crescent teams continue to provide humanitarian assistance along migration routes, from disembarkation to integration. This includes Spain, Italy, and Greece, where National Societies are present on the coastlines, and many others across Europe and beyond, offering health care, psychological support, safe shelter, food, and assistance with reconnecting families.Globally, through more than 600 humanitarian service points, migrants and displaced people can access trusted and neutral spaces for support, protection and essential services along every stage of their journey.Note to editors:The Central Mediterranean Sea is one of the world’s deadliest migratory routes, with more than 25,000 people having lost their lives or gone missing in the past 10 years. Every day, many people risk their lives at sea, travelling in unseaworthy, overloaded boats.In July 2021, the IFRC entered a partnership with SOS MEDITERRANEE – a European maritime and humanitarian organization conducting search and rescue operations to save lives in the Central Mediterranean. The operation is conducted from the rescue ship Ocean Viking.Since 2021, the IFRC received a total financial support 5.2 million Swiss francs for the humanitarian operation at sea, with the greatest contributions coming from the Swedish Red Cross, Icelandic Red Cross and the Netherlands Red Cross, as well as the Muslim World League. Additional support was received from Canadian Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, French Red Cross, Irish Red Cross, Japanese Red Cross and Monaco Red Cross.Other partners supported the mission through staff deployments, including American Red Cross, Belgian Red Cross, Finnish Red Cross, French Red Cross, Hong Kong Red Cross Branch (of the Red Cross Society of China), Icelandic Red Cross, Italian Red Cross, Kuwait Red Crescent, Monaco Red Cross, Slovak Red Cross, and Swedish Red Cross.The Swedish Red Cross, thanks to a generous contribution from the Swedish Post Code Lottery, continues to support SOS MEDITERRANEE in the adoption of advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency of search and rescue at sea. This project will continue in 2026.· Visuals:Additional photos and video available here: LINK· Audio:An interview on IFRC News, IFRC’s weekly news podcastFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Budapest:Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67

The Global Migration and Displacement Platform

Our IFRC Global Migration and Displacement Platform unites local and global action to ensure that people at risk of displacement, people on the move, and the communities that host them, live with dignity, safety and opportunity.

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.”

Statement: Attack on Ocean Viking deeply concerning, endangering humanitarian workers and survivors in the Mediterranean

Budapest/Geneva, 12 September 2025 –The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) strongly deplores the attack on the search and rescue ship Ocean Vikingon 24 August. At the time of the attack in the Central Mediterranean, 87 rescued people were on board, with five IFRC and nineteen SOS MEDITERRANEE staff.Although everyone disembarked safely, the attack left people severely distressed and caused significant damage to the ship’s bridge and critical rescue equipment. As a consequence, the ship will not be operational in the near future.“This underscores not only the growing risks for those undertaking life-saving rescues in the Mediterranean, but also the dangerous reality facing humanitarian workers worldwide,”said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, IFRC Regional Director for Europe.“Threatening rescued people and those saving lives is unacceptable. Wecall on all concerned authorities to ensure accountability and do everything in their power to prevent such an incident from happening again.”Every year, thousands of people attempt to cross the Central Mediterranean, one of the world’s deadliest migration routes. Search and rescue operations remain a humanitarian necessity, ensuring that people in distress at sea are brought to safety. For these operations to be possible, humanitarian workers and civilians must never be targeted.The IFRC remains firmly committed to supporting people on the move through its humanitarian service points across the Mediterranean and beyond, ensuring that people forced to take dangerous journeys can access safety, care, and dignity wherever they are.Since 2021, the IFRC–SOS MEDITERRANEE partnership on board the Ocean Viking has had 156 rescue missions, with more than 8,600 people supported with immediate assistance including food, water, medical care, and psychosocial support. This lifesaving work is part of a wider, long-term commitment to protect and assist people on the move across one of the world’s deadliest migration routes.For more information, [email protected] Budapest:Corrie Butler +36 704306506Nora Peter+36 70 265 4020In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 43 67

Lost and found at sea: Saving lives, coping with loss, aboard the Ocean Viking rescue vessel

It’s one of the most demanding and unusual humanitarian missions happening in the world today, and it’s being carried out at sea, by the crew of the Ocean Viking rescue vessel. Chartered by SOS MEDITERRANEE in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the ship patrols the Mediterranean Sea to rescue people in deep distress at sea. Crew members spend months at sea, living in small births, constantly on the lookout for boats in distress — small dinghies, full of people, lost among the waves.It’s a dangerous assignment. Rescues often happen at night, during times of heavy winds and choppy seas. And it’s not only the forces of nature that make this mission perilous – only a week ago, after this podcast was recorded, the Ocean Viking was hit by multiple gunshots.So why do they do it? How did the people lost at sea find themselves in these perilous situations? And how does the Ocean Viking crew find them on the vast seascape of the Mediterranean? In this episode we take you on board the Ocean Viking with Sara Mancinelli, the IFRC operations manager aboard the Ocean Viking and Camille Coletta, IFRC’s protection coordinator aboard the ship. Please, join us for an immersive audio journey aboard the Ocean Viking, then please subscribe to this channel to hear more compelling audio storytelling as Season 5 of Red Vest podcast gets under way.

New podcast episode: Lost and found at sea — Saving lives, coping with loss aboard the Ocean Viking rescue vessel.

IFRC statement about the incident on the Ocean Viking

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply concerned by the incident that occurred on Sunday afternoon (24 August 2025), when the humanitarian rescue vessel Ocean Viking was struck by multiple gunshots.Thankfully, no individuals were physically harmed. However, this serious event has jeopardized the safety and well-being of both our humanitarian personnel and the rescued individuals on board.The IFRC is actively working to support all those affected and to look into the circumstances surrounding this violent act.Today, humanitarian workers operate in increasingly perilous environments, often putting their own lives at risk to save others. Their mission must be respected and protected at all times. Humanitarian operations must always be respectedandprotected.

Climate-related disasters force millions from their homes in Asia Pacific, but local action offers hope

Across Asia Pacific, disasters and the impacts of climate change continue to force millions from their homes. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Center, in 2024 alone, there were 24 million disaster displacements across the region – more than half of the global total.From floods to supercharged storms, the Asia Pacific region is one of the most significantly impacted by disaster displacement. However, a new report from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) reveals not only how the scale of the crisis affects communities in the region, but also the power of local action in supporting people to adapt, prepare and become more resilient.“For millions of people across Asia Pacific this is not a distant possibility, it is a daily reality,” says Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific. “Whether on a tiny island or in a sprawling city, the stories are the same: disasters, driven and amplified by climate change, are uprooting lives and erasing the familiar.”The report, Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate, collates 39 stories from 21 National Societies that are supporting communities through every stage of displacement – from preparedness, early warning and evacuation, to recovery and rebuilding.While the impacts are devastating, there is hope.“Hope is found in the strength of communities and in the tireless work of those who stand with them,” said Matheou. “This report is a call to see what is at stake – and to recognise the possibilities for change.”Quick factsIn 2024, Asia Pacific experienced more displacement linked to disasters than any other region in the world.Hazards like storms, floods, heatwaves, and droughts are becoming more intense and frequent and people are experiencing repeat displacement.People are displaced for longer periods, as disasters overlap with conflict, poverty and food, water and resource insecurity.Marginalised groups – including women, children, older people and those experiencing poverty – are disproportionately affected.How are we addressing these challenges?National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are not just responding after disasters – they’re working with communities before risks worsen and disasters strike, supporting people to adapt, prepare and stay in their homes or move in safety and with dignity when and if they decide to do so."The impacts of displacement do not end with the decision to move,” said Matheou. “Risks and uncertainties follow people into new, and often precarious places, testing their ability to rebuild and find stability.”This is why the ways people and communities respond takes many forms. In many cases, people who have themselves experienced displacement are taking the lead in preparedness and response, often with support of National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.Better forecasting, anticipatory action and community-driven early warning systems are also playing a critical role, among other things.Here are just three of the many examples cited in the report.Cyclone preparedness powered by refugees - BangladeshIn Cox’s Bazar, home to the world’s largest refugee camp, the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society has trained more than 3,300 camp volunteers to deliver early warnings and help their communities evacuate before disasters strike. The national Cyclone Preparedness Programme helps to ensure that early action saves lives – even in the most fragile settings.Forecast-based support for fisherfolk and farmers to reduce losses – FijiThrough the Pacific’s first Anticipatory Action Framework, the Fiji Red Cross Society is providing early warning messages, kits for securing boats, and crop storage materials before cyclones hit. By activating assistance based on forecasts, they’re helping remote communities safeguard their livelihoods in advance and reduce risks of displacement.Psychosocial support for herder communities– MongoliaMongolia is facing harsh winters, with dzud – a combination of summer drought and extreme winter temperatures – impacting herder families.To strengthen resilience and support traditional livelihoods, movements, and ways of life, the Mongolian Red Cross Society provides cash assistance and livestock nutrition kits, constructs animal shelters, and promotes alternative livelihoods.The message at the heart of the report is clear: as displacement linked to disasters and climate change affects millions of people, communities across Asia Pacific are not standing still. With support from National Red Cross and Red Crescent teams, they are preparing, adapting, and leading the way toward a safer, more resilient future.Explore the full report: Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate – Displacement in Asia PacificRead more about climate-related displacement:IFRC report: Forced to flee in a changing climate - AfricaRead about IFRC's approach to migration and displacement

Afghan returnees: A story of endurance amidst uncertainty

Fatimah sits quietly, her hands trembling as she speaks."We had to leave Pakistan, which was our home for the past 40 years, and now we have no land, no shelter, and no sense of stability,”shares Fatimah (not her real name), a single mother of five children.“I just want my children to have a safe place to grow—somewhere they can call home. We pray for a better future, for support from the government and the international community."Fatimah’s story is not just hers; it resonates with the stories of countless others who are crossing into Afghanistan from Pakistan, following a March 2025 decision by Pakistan’s government to resume implementation of a law that requires non-citizens to leave the country.The decision has impacted Afghans disproportionately due to the large population of Afghan citizenship card holders living there with varying levels of legal status in the country.Many of the returning Afghans, however, have lived outside of Afghanistan for a long time, some for their whole lives. Many have never set foot in Afghanistan and now have absolutely no idea about where they will live, how they will feed themselves and their families, or educate their children. Much worse, single female heads of households like Fatimah face even greater hardships, as they need to take care of both their children and manage their household responsibilities.A growing crisisThe number of people sharing Fatima’s experience is overwhelming and it’s growing by the day.Since the deportation plan was first implemented in 2023, almost a million Afghan people (972,400 people as of 23 April 2025) have already crossed via the four official crossing points along the border with Pakistan.In April 2025 alone, more than 118,400 Afghans crossed from Pakistan, 25,600 of whom were deported. On average, 4,000 to 6,000 people cross daily, with women and children constituting a sizable female-headed households.As the returnee situation escalated, the IFRC quickly allocated funds from its Disaster Response Emergency Funds (IFRC-DREF) to help with the initial operations. This was followed by the launch of an Emergency Appealthat aimes to raise25 million Swiss francs for delivery of lifesaving support over the next two years. This covers recovery and reintegration efforts, training aimed at building professional skills, and cash-for-work initiatives—laying foundations for rebuilding lives and restoring dignity.The appeals have helped the Afghan Red Crescent Society provide critical support to thousands of returnees. However, more support is needed to ensure people arriving at camps in Afghanistan can survive day to day in the short term and make a full recovery in the longer term.The first step is simple to find a safe place to stay.Upon arriving at the Afghan border crossing points, they are guided to two temporary campsset up by Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS), United Nations agencies and other organizations. The Omari camp is located 6 kilometers from the Torkham border, Nangarhar, and the other is 60 kilometers away in Kandahar (Takht-e Pol).Returnees have to travel to these camps by themselves and so they mainly use local trucks and drivers available at the borders. There are also trucks that provide transportation from Pakistan itself onto Afghanistan.At the temporary camps set up by ARCS, doctors and healthcare volunteers receive returnees and provide them with check-ups, consultations, consultation, food and more.At the border crossing points, ARCS also helps with food distribution, shelter support with tents, healthcare services, information about all other help readily available at the camps by other aid agencies and help with any other pressing needs.Access to basic needsOne of the people who recently arrived is Sadullah, a father of five.“I used to be a shopkeeper in Karachi, where my store was the heart of my family’s livelihood,”he says. “Now, we are forced to return to a land that feels both familiar and foreign. I stand here, lost and afraid, unsure of how to rebuild what we’ve lost.”His words reflect the struggles of many returnees as they grapple with the reality of lost livelihoods and the basic necessities of life—food, shelter, and the means to support their families. Healthcare, for many, feels like a distant dream.Another returnee, Rahimullah, also shares a heart-wrenching story: "I have stomach problems and am now ill. We left everything behind out of fear of detention. My wife died when my baby was only 10 days old and I was left caring for my three daughters and two young sons.”Getting primary health care in the campsAt Omari camp, ARCS (with support from IFRC) treats approximately 700 people with primary healthcare daily, and this includes those who need maternal and child health services such as medical counseling, medicines and injections, and prenatal care.It was here that doctors and midwives of ARCS helped deliver three newborns, whose mothers crossed the border while heavily pregnant.“The midwives are volunteers with Afghan Red Crescent, and they provided lifesaving critical care to the three newborn deliveries in the tent,”one of the ARCS doctor at the camp explains.“They also play a vital role in providing healthcare services to pregnant mothers who perilously cross the border. In addition to this, there are three female nutrition officers in our nutrition section. As of now, we have treated approximately 40-50 women”.Referral and transport to a local hospital is hard as the nearest one is over 100km away.As such, the ARCS medical teams that are present at the camps comprise of both male and female doctors and there are five other Mobile Health Teams of ARCS at the two borders. Aside from healthcare, hundreds of ARCS volunteers are also working to dispense water, set up tents, and provide medical services."It's incredibly heartening to see how even the smallest of our efforts bring relief to families in such difficult times,”says one volunteer at the camp. "Every action helps rebuild hope."

World Refugee Day 2025: Bringing hope to people forced to flee world’s largest displacement crisis

For more than two years, the Egyptian Red Crescent has stood as a vital lifeline for tens of thousands of people forced to flee the devastating conflict in Sudan.Since the crisis began in April 2023, Red Crescent volunteers and staff have mobilized quickly —responding within just two days by setting up humanitarian service points at the Qustul and Arqeen border crossings in southern Egypt.These points have offered emergency first aid, medical screenings, psychosocial support, food, water, and hygiene supplies for thousands of Sudanese families arriving in Egypt with little more than the clothes on their backs.“We acted immediately,” said Dr. Amal Emam, executive director of the Egyptian Red Crescent. “Within 48 hours, we had humanitarian service points up and running at the main border crossings—offering not just relief but also dignity and hope.”The efforts have not wavered over the past 2 years,as fighting and displacement in Sudan forced more than12.3 million people from their homes. Most were displaced within Sudan, butnearly one third – 4 million people –have become refugees in neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan.To help meet the dire needs of desperate people seeking safety within Egypt, the Egyptian Red Crescent has:Provided medical care to over 139,000 peopleDelivered cash assistance to 5,000 familiesOffered psychosocial support to over 10,000 individuals, including childrenFacilitated 12,940 local and international phone and internet connections to help people restore contact with their loved onesDistributed more than 210,000 hygiene kits, 1.3 million bottles of water, and 1 million ready-to-eat mealsTo strengthen its efforts, the Red Crescent activated its Aswan branch and trained response teams across border regions—ensuring services were available not only at crossing points but also in Aswan city, Abu Simbel, and key transit hubs like the Aswan railway station.Special attention has also been paid to people with disabilities, older adults, and children—ensuring inclusive access to aid and the creation of child-friendly spaces for psychological support.International solidarity, swift and ongoing actionBeyond Egypt’s borders, the Egyptian Red Crescent extended solidarity to those still inside Sudan. In collaboration with the Egyptian government, it dispatched three ships carrying over 1,000 tonnes of life-saving relief supplies to Sudanese communities still struggling within the country.These efforts would not be possible without the hundreds of Egyptian Red Crescent volunteers, who have contributed more than 340,000 hours of service since the onset of the crisis—offering compassion, courage, and consistency in the face of one of the region’s most complex humanitarian emergencies.The Egyptian Red Crescent’s response to the large-scale population movement from Sudan was has also been supported by the IFRC through its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), which allocated 305,832 Swiss francs to the response. This funding enabled the ERCS to provide immediate, life-saving assistance.To scale up the response and address growing humanitarian needs at the Sudanese-Egyptian border, the IFRC also launched an Emergency Appeal, which is also mobilizing additional resources to support the ERCS in expanding its operations.Learn more about how you can join us in solidarity with refugees around the worldHelp support refugees and others displaced by fighting in SudanIFRC’s approach to migration and displacementGlobal Route-Based Migration ProgrammeHumanitarian Service PointsWorld Refugee Day: Syrian refugees in Jordan stitch a new life through skills training and education

IFRC’s World Refugee Day message: ‘We are with you’

Imagine you are 24 years old and a mother of two. Suddenly, armed conflict within your country sweeps through your town and you have to escape to save your life. You leave on foot, with your children and anything you can carry.This is the fate that befell 24-year-old Munana, who had to flee her home in Sudan’s Darfur region with her children in 2024. Arriving in Adré, Chad, close to the border with Sudan, her family immediately receivedsupport from the Red Cross of Chad.“The journey between Sudan and here was very difficult,”she says. “When we arrived here the Red Cross welcomed us. They have given us a tent, lights, toiletries and water.”This is just one story among thousands of people around the world who areforced to flee simply to find safety for themselves and their family. And it’s another example of Red Cross and Red Crescent actions that say to people like Munana that they are not alone – we stand with you.As we markWorld Refugee Day 2025 on 20 June, this year under the theme of “solidarity”, the IFRC asks people around the world to express their solidarity through action, by helping us to build empathy and understanding for the plight of refugees and to support our life-changing work in places where refugees need us most.We ask youto stand in solidarity with people like Abdel, who supervises the volunteers who welcomed Munana at the Chad Red Cross’s humanitarian service point (HSP) in Adré, which in this case is funded by theBritish Red Cross.At humanitarian service points like this one, the Red Cross supports refugees where they are – along routes, in camps, in host communities – by providingfood, psychosocial assistance, protection services for the most vulnerable, shelters, and relocation support.In some areas, the Red Cross also providescash assistance, so people can choose what they and their families need most while retaining some control and dignity. Surrounded by so much suffering, Abdel sees this work as a source of comfort and happiness. “Often people ask, what is happiness? For me, happiness is helping people,”he says.A global crisisSolidarity with refugees is more critical than ever, given the scope of displacement due to violence around the world. Even some of the world’s largest crises do not always get the attention they deserve.Sudan, for example, is experiencing the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 12.3 million people forced from their homes due to ongoing civil conflict. Most were displaced within Sudan, but nearly one third – 4 million people –have become refugees in neighbouring countries such as Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan. Yet this massive crisis receives relatively little international media attention.Sadly, this is not the only conflict causing people to leave their homes to find safety elsewhere. The UN Refugee Agency estimates that more than 123 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced.Among them, 36.8 million are refugees (meaning they sought safety in a country other than their own) and another 8.4 million are asylum seekers (people who have sought international protection and recognition as refugees outside their home country).A global responseThe scale of population movement around the world is one reason more than 165 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world are working to support people on the move, including migrants and refugees, wherever they need assistance.A total of 115 of those Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are supporting refugees and asylum seekers through both emergency response efforts and longer-term programmes. This support spans emergency and crisis settings, including countries such as Bangladesh, Sudan’s neighbouring countries, and Ukraine’s neighbouring countries. National Societies also assist and protect migrants and refugees traveling along dangerous migration routes in all corners of the globe.This includes the 63 National Societies participating in the IFRC’s GlobalRoute-Based Migration Programme, which aims to save lives and improve the safety and dignity of 4.7 million people on the move each year, including migrants, refugees, displaced people, and host communities.Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are in call centres, connecting people to lost family members. They are at airports, bus stops and train stations, providing people with a safe space to rest.The support given is as individual as the story and experiences of each person on the move, and can include healthcare, Restoring Family Links, mental health and psychosocial support, protection, information, food and other essential supplies. There is even a humanitarian service point at sea. TheOcean Viking rescue vessel regularly rescues migrant vessels in distress in the Central Mediterranean Sea.An ongoing journeySolidary with refugees continues even after people arrive in a new community or country. That’s because, very often, a new journey, full of challenges has just begun.While some refugees successfully establish themselves in new communities, many others face dire challenges. They risk losing connections with their families and they often lack access to essential health and social services. They also may come face to face with discrimination, human trafficking, exploitation, legal and cultural hurdles and even violence.And even when things go relatively smoothly, it is not always easy to feel at home in a new country and a new culture. Often, it takes a while to start feeling at home.This is one reason why National Societies such astheRed Crescent Society of Tajikistan work tohelp people settle and feel at home.With the support of theProgrammatic Partnership, funded by ECHO PP, for example, the IFRC supports theRed Crescent Society of Tajikistan inproviding cash, food parcels, housing supplies and hygiene kits, among other things, to refugees in Tajikistan. The support has also helped the Red Crescent to organize vocational courses, including culinary, driving, beauty courses, and English classes for Afghan kids.Changing attitudesThere are numerous examples of this kind of Red Cross and Red Crescent solidarity work around the world. Numerous National Societies in Europe, for example, offermental health and psychosocial support as well aslanguage classes to refugees from Ukraine.Others work to promote better understanding of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. As part of its longstanding commitment to anti-racism, for example, the Finnish Red Cross developed the Identify and Act Navigator – a digital tool designed to help people recognize their own biases and understand when and how to intervene in racist situations.In three months the Navigator app was viewed by approximately 20, 000 people; roughly 8 000 people completed all the various stages and scenarios presented in the programme.Learn more about how you can join us in solidarity with refugees around the worldIFRC’s approach to migration and displacementGlobal Route-Based Migration ProgrammeHumanitarian Service PointsCase study: Red Cross of Boznia Herzegovina mobile teamCase study: Red Cross of Cyprus mobile migration teamCase study: Local branch of Palilula, Serbian Red CrossCase study: Slovenian Red Cross humanitarian service pointCase study: Red Cross of Montenegro reception centreWorld Refugee Day: Bringing hope to people forced to flee world’s largest displacement crisisWorld Refugee Day: Syrian refugees in Jordan stitch a new life through skills training and education

As climate change in Africa forces more people from their homes, a new IFRC report says people can — and must — have more and better choices when it comes to their future

As floods, droughts, storms and heatwaves become more frequent and intense, the number of people in Africa uprooted from their homes by climate-related disasters has increased. These climate pressures do not exist in isolation, they often intersect with other risks such as conflict, economic instability, and food insecurity, compounding existing vulnerabilities and making it even harder for communities to recover and rebuild.In most cases, people have been left with little choice. As they watch the floodwaters rise, or the parched earth crack under their feet, they are left with few options: leave now and find safety elsewhere, or stay and risk losing your home, livelihood, health or, in the worst cases, your life.A new report from the IFRC, however, suggests there are many ways to work with people so they can avoid having to make such dire, life-altering decisions. And if such a choice is necessary, there are also ways to ensure that people and communities are prepared so they can move safely and with dignity, the report concludes.Entitled ‘Forced to Flee in a Changing Climate’, the report also stresses the urgent need for political leaders, policy makers, donors and international and regional organizationsto do moreto supportlocal actors that work directly with communities facing these challenges. (An executive summary of the report can be found here).“This report is a call to action, to invest in local solutions, empower communities, and ensure that no one is left behind when the next flood, drought, or storm hits."Charles Businge, IFRC regional director for AfricaIndeed, the need for action is urgent.In 2024, 7.8 million disaster displacements were recorded in Africa, according to theInternal Displacement Monitoring Center. That’s 1.8 million more than the six million disaster displacements recorded in 2023. (Note: These figures refer to displacements not people, because some people were forced to move more than once).“Over the past 60 years, Africa’s warming trend has exceeded the global average,” the report notes, citing measurements reported by theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. “Recent years have seen heatwaves, heavy rains, floods, storms, cyclones and prolonged droughts.”Rising temperatures and more extreme rains, flooding, heatwaves and storms are expected to continue to drive even higher levels of displacement.A reason for hope: concrete actions in the communityHowever, the report also offers a wide range of practical tools and solutions, along with many reasons for hope. The report features 30 case studies from 15 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Africa that are already working across mutiple areas—identifying and reducing risks and promoting adaptation, preparing and acting early to reduce needs, providing assistance and protection, and promoting resilient recovery—to address and reduce the risks of climate displacement.“Locally led and collective action can help people to adapt, move to safer areas, and recover and rebuild with dignity,” the report concludes."Across Africa, too many people are being pushed to the edge by climate change, forced to flee their homes not because they want to, but because they have no other choice,” noted IFRC regional director for Africa Charles Businge. “This is not inevitable. With the right support, communities can prepare, adapt, and make informed decisions about their future.”“This report is a call to action, to invest in local solutions, empower communities, and ensure that no one is left behind when the next flood, drought, or storm hits."Five key ways to provide better optionsHere are five ways Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies empower communities and expand their choices in the face of climate change:Identifying risks through community-led risk assessmentsThe impacts of climate change and disasters affect people differently. To better understand their risks, including their risk of displacement, local actors are working with communities to map hazards andconductcommunity-led risk assessments. This allows them to plan and prepare ahead of potential disasters and better adapt to the impacts of a changing climate.The South African Red Cross, for example, has played a key role in collecting local data through emergency needs assessments in anticipation of potential flooding. This allows them to evaluate the priority needs of displaced communities and inform their response.Strengthening adaptation and promoting resilience to climate change impactsClimate change is impacting people’s access to existing services, threatening their livelihoods, and undermining health. Local actors help communities strengthen ecosystems and put in place nature-based solutions. Local actors can strengthen people’s access to social protection systems and help people protect their assets in ways that are climate-smart and climate-resilient. This can provide people with more options to diversify their livelihoods, find new ways to adapt, and stay in their homes, if they choose to.In Niger, for example, the Red Cross helps distribute drought-resilient seeds and it restocks cereal banks to reduce humanitarian needs when disasters arise. The Somali Red Crescent implements micro-economic initiatives to support local markets in the face of ongoing droughts and food insecurity. Read more about the impacts of drought in Somalia.Acting early and preparing ahead of disastersEarly warnings, early actions, and preparedness measures—such as mapping evacuation shelters and routes—help people who have to move do so more safely.In Mozambique, the Red Cross is working in places where displaced people live to strengthen early warnings ahead of disasters, including communities with people already displaced by earlier storms or crises.Communities like these are often the most heavily impacted by climate events but they lack sufficient systems for early warning and disaster preparedness. In Malawi, the Red Cross shares information about evacuation options in real time at the community level before the disaster strikes, so people move out of harm's way and make informed choices before disasters strike.Providing people who are displaced with assistance and protectionDisplacement cannot always be avoided. When it happens, local actors are often the first to respond, providing essential services to people in need – like food, water, shelter, and other relief items to address other basic needs. Local actors are also working to ensure their responses are protection sensitive. In these moments of chaos or crisis, the specific protection needs of in vulnerable groups such as women, children, older persons, and people with disabilities, are heightened.The Chad Red Cross addresses the humanitarian needs of flood-displaced communities, working to ensure volunteers and staff are trained to strengthen inclusive, safe, protection-sensitive approaches. In The Gambia, the Red Cross assists people displaced by floods in urban settings to better manage and store excess water.Supporting resilient recovery and longer-term assistance long after disasters endWhen people are forced to flee their homes, they may go back to their original homes, stay in the places they sought safety, move to new locations to rebuild, or remain longer term in displacement settings because they have no other options. In all these contexts, local actors are helping people recover and integrate where they can. They are working to ensure that in the future, people’s risk of displacement is lessened, for example by helping them rebuild their homes in a way that is more resilient. Where people remain in displacement camps or settlements, local actors are working to reduce their risks of future displacement, including them in risk reduction measures, for example.The Ethiopian Red Cross provides displaced households in camp settings, at risk of drought impacts with essential services, using mobile clinics for health services, and providing cash and voucher assistance, shelter support and livelihood opportunities.To learn more:Read or download the reportRead or download the executive summary of the reportMore articles and reports about climate displacement in Africa:IDMC, Global Report on Internal Displacement: AfricaInter-governmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report: AfricaEl Nino expected to make Malawi’s lean season even leanerWorld Hunger Day 2025: Drought driving hunger and desperation in the Horn of Africa

Muhajira: A girl born on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan

Salima*- a mother of three and pregnant with a new baby - was one of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees forced to return from Pakistan to their homeland in the last month.On her harrowing six-day journey from Karachi, Pakistan to Afghanistan, she gave birth on 21 April amidst the chaos at the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, where up to 6,000 desperate people are currently crossing daily.“It was a deeply traumatic experience. I was physically weak, suffering from high blood pressure, and there was no one with the proper training to assist me. There were no doctors, only a few elderly women who tried to help.After giving birth, I lost consciousness for five hours. I’m not even sure what caused me to wake up. When I opened my eyes, my daughter was hungry, but I had no milk to give her because I hadn’t eaten a proper meal in days. I fed her sweet tea just to keep her nourished. She had no clothes, so I wrapped her in a piece of cloth.Two days later, we reached the Takht-e-Pul camp (Anzaki camp) in Kandahar province. Within an hour, the Afghan Red Crescent Society had brought us hot meals and provided a tent for our family. They also gave us a health screening and vaccinated my daughter. For the first time, I was able to rest — even if only briefly — under shelter.”Speaking about her newborn daughter, she says:“I still haven’t decided on a name for her. She was born in an incredibly difficult time and place, and we haven’t had the chance to think about what to call her. She remains unnamed. Sometimes her father affectionately calls her Muhajira (which means ‘the migrant’), because she was born in exile, far from our homeland.”Salima expresses deep concern for her family’s future.“Our future is uncertain and full of hardship. We left Afghanistan due to insecurity and economic collapse. I’ve heard that things are more stable now, but there are still no job opportunities. We have no savings, no home — and I don’t know how we will begin life again. Our only hope lies with charitable organisations and humanitarian aid. We have nothing else to rely on.”She is also deeply worried about her children’s future.“My children were born in Pakistan and don’t have any form of identification. I don’t know how or where to obtain ID cards for them. Their education has already been delayed significantly, and I don’t know how to enroll them in schools here in Afghanistan. We have no shelter in Kabul or Baghlan. We don’t know where to go or how to meet our daily needs.”Salima originally fled Afghanistan around 2010 due to growing insecurity.“We are originally from Baghlan province, where I was born. During the years 2010 and 2011, insecurity in the region intensified. I lost my brother in a roadside explosion. Given the deteriorating security situation and our poor economic conditions, both my husband’s family and my own decided to leave. Job opportunities in Kabul were either extremely limited or nonexistent. Pakistan, as a neighbouring country, seemed like the best available option at the time.”“My husband worked at a car repair shop and earned 15,000 Pakistani rupees per month. Because we were surrounded by family, and my husband and father-in-law had work opportunities, we managed to build a life together. It was a life filled with hardship, but we endured it as a family.”To support the thousands of people returning to Afghanistan - like Salima and her family - the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) allocated 750,000 Swiss Francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Afghan Red Crescent Society (ARCS) in delivering urgently needed shelter, emergency healthcare, food, and water—basic resources that are now in short supply.The IFRC has also launched a comprehensive Emergency Appeal, aiming to raise 25 million Swiss francs to deliver vital lifesaving aid over the next two years, covering support for recovery and reintegration including income generation activities, vocational training and cash-for-work opportunities.*Name changed to protect identity

Burundi Red Cross respond to thousands fleeing conflict in the DRC

Bujumbura/Kinshasha/Geneva, 13 March –The Burundi Red Cross has set up a vital humanitarian service point at the Rugombo Stadium a few kilometres from the Democratic Republic of Congo border, providing shelter for almost 40,000 refugees - including nearly 18,000 children - fleeing the conflict there. A team of 500 Burundi Red Cross volunteers are providing first aid for people arriving after days of traumatic travel, in addition to mental health support, disinfectant spraying to prevent disease, sanitation including showers, latrines and hygiene products, mosquito nets, specific assistance for pregnant women and those with disabilities, bedding, clean drinking water and food.Red Cross ambulances are on standby, so far evacuating over 120 people requiring further medical treatment.In the vast crowds, children can become separated from loved ones, and a special on-site Red Cross team has helped reunite many distressed families.A team of swimmers are also stationed at the Rusizi River, a dangerous crossing point at the border of the DRC and Burundi, to reduce the risk of displaced people drowning as they make the desperate journey to safety.Expert spokespeople are available on the ground in Burundi, the DRC and Geneva.Pictures and video can be found here.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109

Humanity across the Americas: How the Red Cross is assisting people on the move

The history of Latin America and the Caribbean is marked by migration. Thousands of people move every day from north to south, from south to north, between Caribbean countries and between the continent and other regions of the world.People on the move, and the communities that host them, are not alone. In countries of origin, transit and destination, local Red Cross teams offer them assistance and protection.Along the migration routes, IFRC member National Societies in the region operate a network of Humanitarian Service Points that provide critical health, nutrition and psychosocial support to people in very vulnerable situations, regardless of their age, gender or beliefs, their reasons for leaving home, or which direction they are travelling.This includes migrants who are being returned to their country of origin by the national immigration authorities of other countries.Protection and assistance for returneesOne example is the work being done by the Red Cross in Honduras.In 2024, nearly 47,000 Honduran migrants returned home, equivalent to more than 128 people per day, according to the International Organization for Migration. In January 2025, 90 Hondurans migrants returned daily, for a total of 2,700.In close coordination with the state authorities, the Honduran Red Cross operates two public shelters that receive people who were unable to complete their journey northwards, including unaccompanied children and adolescents.At these centres, the Red Cross provides information, legal advice and looks after people’s physical and mental health. Returning migrants are often afraid to return to their communities so the Red Cross also provides support in assessing the risks and working to help people find a pathway to safe and successful reintegration.In 2024, at the Belén Care Centre for Migrant Children and Families, the Red Cross assisted more than 14,300 people, 59 per cent of whom were children. The year before, in 2023, the centre also assisted thousands of migrants, a large percentage of which were children. The words of the woman who manages the centre for the Honduran Red Cross still rings true today."All the cases in the centre are tough to listen to, all of them,”Gabriela Oviedo said at the time. “People come in frustrated and upset because they did not achieve their objective of reaching their destination.”Similar stories are unfolding in other Latin American countries. The Mexican Red Cross, for example, has activated its national emergency plan in response to the possible increase in returns this year. The plan provide for pre-hospital care, psychological first aid, hygiene kits, food kits and other relief items to those in need in the states of Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Tamaulipas.In Colombia, Red Cross has already provided assistance at El Dorado Airport in the country’s capital Bogota, to more than 200 migrants who arrived on the first two flights of people forced to return from the United States. The Red Cross offered health assistance, psychosocial support and counselling, with special attention to children and adolescents.At the same time, in Ecuador, Red Cross teams are also coordinating with national authorities to provide humanitarian assistance at Manta and Guayaquil airports as flights arrive.The Venezuelan Red Cross has also started to provide humanitarian assistance to migrants upon their return to Venezuela. Its services focus on primary health care and psychosocial support, in coordination with the national government authorities.The team of 40 multidisciplinary volunteers, doctors and first-aid workers also provided personal hygiene kits, refreshments, and medicines to people arriving on the first two flights of returnees landing at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, Venezuela.Social inclusion is also keyColombia and Ecuador are also examples of countries where Red Cross teams provide another indispensable service: support for social and economic inclusion.In Colombia, for example, more than 2.8 million Venezuelan people have settled in the country in the last six years. Of these, 52 per cent are women and almost half of them is in need of protection.In Cundinamarca and Bogotá, the Colombian Red Cross is strengthening the resilience of women through shelters, offering specialized sexual and reproductive health services, distribution of protection kits and training to prevent gender-based violence. It also promotes community initiatives against xenophobia and discrimination.This intervention targets women of all ages, including women and girls displaced by violence, and includes nutritional assessments, access to medicines and safe spaces that promote their emotional well-being.“We have a safe space for children where they can play, have fun and grieve while their parents attend trainings on employability, and workshops on life and social skills, to enable them to start over,”says Erika Cardona, Director of Humanitarian Affairs for the Colombian Red Cross.If migrant and displaced women decide to stay temporarily or permanently in the community, the Colombia Red Cross’s Centre for Comprehensive Attention and Development supports them in finding employment and offers them spaces to continue their schooling.In Ecuador, the Red Cross works on the social inclusion of migrants who have decided to settle in the country, facilitating access to health, education and employment services.“For people who have decided to stay permanently or temporarily in the country, we have created free and voluntary associations”, says Roque Fabián Soria Vasco, president of the Ecuadorian Red Cross. “Through our job bank, they can access jobs according to their abilities, for example bakery, tailoring, beauty, among other options”.Usually, new arrivals do not have the means to buy food, basic goods or pay rent. There, the Ecuadorian Red Cross provides cash assistance and support to the small businesses of the migrant and host population. Red Cross is always thereEvery country faces unique challenges around migration flows. For the IFRC, the priority is to support people in vulnerable situations, according to their needs and regardless of their migration status, in accordance with our Fundamental Principles.In total, there are 22 countries in the Americas where local Red Cross teams work to ensure that the dignity and rights of migrants are respected and protected. The services they offer include:Pre-hospital care:First aid, health monitoring and medical assistance.Basic medical care: Healing of ampoules, provision of hydration serums and assessment of signs and symptoms.Provision of humanitarian aid: Delivery of food kits, personal hygiene and other basic supplies.Basic psychological support: Counselling and emotional support.Restoring family links: Providing tools and means of communication to promote family reunification and contact with loved ones.Information on available services: Guidance is provided on the resources and services available in the different areas to support the reintegration of people forced to return to their country of origin.To learn more, visit our migration programmes page.

Migration: A father pens a poem of pain and loss after rescue turns to tragedy

“On the shore of death, your journey ended.Your little heart, still unripe, could not endure.It was filled with love, overflowing until the very last breath.You left, my beautiful one, my little one…”These are the painful, mournful words of a father grieving, written in the hours after his seven-year-old daughter suffered a cardiac arrest — shortly after she herself was rescued from a boat in distress in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. Her name was Rahaf and she and her family had just been brought on board the search and rescue ship Ocean Viking, which is run by SOS Mediterranee and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).Shortly after the rescue, Rahaf, who had an underlying heart condition, went into cardiac arrest. After CPR by the team on board, she was airlifted to a hospital in Malta. Tragically, she did not survive the journey and passed away in the helicopter.Plunged into grief, her father put his pain into words, which he inscribed with a ballpoint pen on a simple piece of white paper. He then asked that this poem and the story of his daughter be shared with the world — as an homage to his daughter and to bring attention to the situation facing people crossing the Mediterranean.The family of four was among a group of 92 migrants rescued from a boat in distress in the Central Mediterranean, near Malta. Here is the full version of the father's poem:“On the shore of death, your journey ended.Your little heart, still unripe, could not endure.It was filled with love, overflowing until the very last breath.You left, my beautiful one, my little one…Your gentle voice has vanished foreverLeaving behind a father, a mother, and a sister—Lost, wandering between sea and sky.How could your kind heart leave your dears suddenly?You bore the hardship of travel, the cruelty of the waves—All for what?For a dignified life. Yes, you have found it now, Rahaf. You are in eternal bliss.May your soul rest in peace, my love.”An ocean of human sufferingSadly, Rahaf’s death is not an isolated case. The Mediterranean is one of the deadliest migration routes in the world. At least 115 children lost their lives attempting to cross the Mediterranean in 2024 alone.Since 2014, more than 31,000 migrants have drowned or gone missing during the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean Sea.Behind every number is a person: a child, father, a sister—risking everything in search of safety.To help avert more tragic stories and unnecessary deaths, the IFRC remains committed to the rescue efforts and to working aboard the Ocean Viking to ensure that people lost and in distress in the vast Mediterranean receive critical life-saving care they need, as well as psychological support to help them deal with the stresses they have been through.Supported with an ongoing emergency appeal to support their operations in the Mediterranean, the IFRC operates what it calls a “humanitarian service point” or HSP on the Ocean Viking. This floating, mobile HSP offers several critical services, including medical care, psychological support, and other kinds of counseling to help migrants cope with what they’ve been through and prepare for what may lie ahead when they finally reach a European port and new challenges arise.

IFRC pledges support for five million people in Syria as they return to destroyed homes and neighbourhoods

Damascus/Geneva, 23 December – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is racing to meet the needs of five million people across Syria as the country continues to grapple with one of the world's most complex crises.The IFRC has launched a 130 million CHF Emergency Appeal which will support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) to deliver vital aid to communities across the country. This includes critical health care, urgently needed food and shelter supplies, cash assistance and psychological support for those experiencing trauma, and help to families trying to trace loved ones who have disappeared during the 13-year conflict.Many people are now on the move following the recent change of ruling power, either returning to Syria or travelling within Syria itself. Years of conflict have ravaged lives, toppled homes and destroyed livelihoods. What people will find on their return is not clear.IFRC Regional Director for MENA, Dr Hossam Elsharkawi said:“Entire towns and villages have been flattened in over a decade of hostilities; schools, hospitals, roads, and shops have been destroyed. Internally displaced people, those choosing to return to Syria and host communities need significant support to survive in an environment without basic services, shelter, jobs, and healthcare. “Our focus right now is on life-saving support for the population. SARC’s teams are providing critical care via ambulances, mobile clinics and health centres, and its branches are distributing essential supplies like food and water. We hope that in time, communities will be able to look to the future and start the road to recovery. We will be alongside them on that journey.”SARC is a national independent humanitarian institution with 14 branches, 64 active sub-branches, and over 9,000 volunteers. It is proving crucial to the humanitarian response in Syria.The IFRC Syria Complex Emergency Appeal, launched today, will support its activities and provide large-scale aid supplies and distributions, logistics and transport support, help restore shelter and livelihoods through cash and in-kind assistance, strengthen capacities of SARC branches, and provide technical support and coordination for at least 12 months. It will also enable support for National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in neighbouring countries, should the needs of people on the move from or to Syria change or grow in the coming months.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] London: Nichola Jones, +44 7715459956In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109

The meaning of water: For Guillermo Sanchez, giving water is not just about saving lives. It’s about helping people reclaim their inherent dignity

“I was always told that water is life,” says Guillermo Sanchez, a water, sanitation and hygiene specialist for the Panamanian Red Cross who lives and works in the Darien Gap, a stretch of undeveloped jungle that connects South and Central America. “But I never really appreciated what that meant until I was able to see water really save the lives of people coming out of the Darien Gap.” This roadless, lawless and hilly forest on the border between Colombia and Panama is now one of the world’s most used, and most dangerous, routes for people seeking a better life. When people finally make it through, they’re exhausted, dehydrated and covered with mud. That’s when water takes on even more meaning. “Just having a clean shower means people can feel like themselves again; they can reclaim themselves, their dignity.”

IFRC stands with people of Syria as it continues to face one of world’s most complex crises

Beirut/Ankara/Geneva, 13 December – Syria remains one of the most serious and complex crises in the world. Many people are now on the move following the change of rule, either returning to Syria or within Syria itself, but years of conflict have ravaged lives, toppled homes and destroyed livelihoods. What people will find on their return is not clear. The full picture of Syria’s future is yet to emerge but what we can say without question is that in a country that has suffered such trauma for so long, people will need life-saving support right now, and in the coming months, before the road to any kind of recovery can begin. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its network stand with the people of Syria and continue to support the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) as its branches deliver emergency medical care, food, clean water and basic supplies to tens of thousands of people across the country. We know needs will grow as people start to rebuild lives left behind - and we are ready to accelerate and expand our work. SARC branches are providing emergency health care, psychosocial support, food, basic supplies and safe water for people throughout Syria, including those who have been waiting at Sednaya Prison. SARC is also helping people who are trying to trace loved ones they have become separated from or who have disappeared over the years. SARC continues to lead the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement response in Syria as the national convener, especially during this time of political uncertainty and humanitarian need.The Turkish Red Crescent is providing food and basic supplies at border crossings for the many people who are trying to return to Syria. It is also responding to the urgent humanitarian needs of Syrians inside Syria in coordination with SARC.The Jordanian Red Crescent is helping to transport vital supplies across the border and managed to send the first convoy of trucks on 11 December.The Qatar Red Crescent is also supporting with the humanitarian outreach, supplying aid such as medical supplies, food and shelter materials.The IFRC allocated 1 million CHF to Syria through the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) shortly after the escalation in the north began and has readied its warehouses and logistics hubs in order to increase aid deliveries to the country and to support humanitarian efforts in the new context, as it evolves.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] London: Nichola Jones, +44 7715459956In Ankara: Sevil Erkuş, +90 536 644 9122In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 9109

As many as seven in ten migrants in the Americas require comprehensive healthcare

Panama City/Geneva, 3 December -As migration in Latin America continues to surge, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is warning of the pressing health needs of vulnerable migrant populations, particularly women, children, older adults, and individuals with disabilities. According to the IFRC study presented today, “Migration and Health in the Americas: needs and services assessment”, these groups face growing barriers to access health services and suffer a lack of comprehensive health care in transit and destination countries.The study compiles data from 2021 to 2023 and explores the nutritional status, rates of vaccination, rates of chronic and infectious disease, mental health, and health-seeking behavior of migrants by age group. One of the main findings is that insufficient health services and barriers to access them are putting lives at risk, exacerbating health inequalities, and placing immense strain on already fragile national health systems.“Access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, and the barriers faced by migrants -whether due to their irregular status, lack of documentation, or fear of deportation - must be dismantled. It is essential to provide comprehensive healthcare that meets the diverse needs of migrant populations, from basic medical care to specialized treatments for chronic conditions, mental health support, and disability services,” said Pedro Porrino, IFRC’s Health in Emergencies Coordinator for the Americas.Regardless of age, healthcare remains a critical issue for migrants in both transit and destination countries. Among in-transit migrants, some 60 to 70% require healthcare, with general medical services being the most needed. Sexual and reproductive healthcare is also a high priority, with over 40% of migrants expressing a need for these services. Migrants in destination countries face similar challenges, with up to 74% requiring healthcare services, including maternal and pediatric care, chronic disease management, mental health services, and specialized care.These findings are confirmed by Red Cross teams on the ground in 22 countries in the Americas. In Panama, Red Cross humanitarian service points have provided nearly 750,000 services in the last six years, most of them to migrants in need of first aid, general medicine, mental health support, access to clean water, vaccines and sexual and reproductive healthcare.In Ecuador, El Salvador and Guatemala, Red Cross volunteers have provided humanitarian assistance, mainly primary healthcare (the first point of contact with a healthcare system), to nearly 200 migrants per day in the last two years, with a total of 143,438 people assisted. In Argentina, Honduras and on the southern border of Mexico, Red Cross teams provided medical care to over 6500 migrants in the first six months of this year alone.“Addressing the health needs of migrants should be a priority and recognizing the role of local Red Cross teams in providing them with care, relief and dignity is an opportunity for governments and donors to guarantee migrants' right to health. By partnering with the Red Cross, countries can not only facilitate humanitarian assistance, but also alleviate pressure on their public health systems,” said Martha Keays, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas.IFRC humanitarian service points will continue to provide humanitarian assistance in countries of origin, transit and destination in the coming months, as the number of people heading north is expected to remain one of the continent's biggest and most under-resourced humanitarian challenges.Notes for editorsAccording to an IFRC study, funded by the Norwegian Red Cross, the following are the main health needs of migrants by age group:Health Needs of Children and AdolescentsAmong the most vulnerable are migrant children, who are disproportionately affected by nutritional deficiencies, with chronic malnutrition rates categorized as moderate to high. Malnutrition leaves these young migrants more susceptible to long-term health complications, yet interventions remain inadequate. While some receive nutritional assessments, deworming medication, or micronutrients, more comprehensive treatments, such as management of acute malnutrition, are rarely provided.The mental health of children and adolescents in migrant communities is also of concern. While the prevalence of anxiety and depression in children has not been fully documented, the mental health needs of this group are often unmet, leaving them vulnerable to long-term psychological trauma from the migration process.Health Needs of Women and Pregnant MigrantsThe rate of maternal mortality among migrant women is two times the national average in countries like Colombia and Brazil. In Colombia alone, 73 extreme cases of maternal morbidity are reported each week among the migrant population. Additionally, obstetric violence has been documented in several countries, further complicating the already precarious healthcare situation for migrant women.The nutritional status of many pregnant migrants is also of major concern. One third suffer from moderate or severe anemia, leaving them and their children vulnerable to long-term health complications, increasing their susceptibility to acute and chronic diseases.Sexual and reproductive health is a critical issue for migrant women. Alarmingly, underage girls account for one in ten pregnancies among Venezuelan migrant women, highlighting a major public health concern. Many women also report that their pregnancies are unwanted—two-thirds of pregnant migrant women in Brazil, for example, did not intend to become pregnant. Furthermore, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, affect migrant women at twice the rate of the general population, with only 38% and 50% receiving treatment in Colombia and Peru, respectively.Health Needs of Older Migrants and People with DisabilitiesBetween 62-78% of Venezuelan migrants aged 60 and above have chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. However, only 22-39% of older migrants receive consistent treatment for their conditions.Mental health challenges are prevalent among this group, with up to 56% suffering from moderate to severe anxiety and depression. However, mental health services are lacking, leaving many of them to endure their struggles alone. They are also at increased risk of violence, particularly during transit; and many are also living with disabilities—up to 66%.Migrants with disabilities face unique challenges that are often neglected in humanitarian response. Despite the high prevalence of disability among elderly migrants and a smaller yet significant proportion of adults, there are few, if any, interventions designed to meet their needs.For more information and to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected] Panama - Susana Arroyo Barrantes +50769993199In Geneva – Tommaso Della Longa +41797084367 Hannah Copeland +41762369109

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

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

Providing cash is one of the best ways to help people get back on their feet after crisis. Romania offers a recent case in point.

After the international armed conflict in Ukraine escalated in February 2022, one of the many people displaced was Tetiana, a Ukrainian woman who came to Romania with her two young children."We decided to leave because of the constant shelling," Tetiana recalls, who was living in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Oblast before the escalation. “We were worried about safety, not so much for ourselves, but for our children.”When they arrived in Romania, one of the biggest challenges was the language barrier. However, with cash assistance from the IFRC and the Romanian Red Cross, Tetiana was able to cover basic expenses such as food, rent and clothing for her family.Despite the challenges, Tetiana found a way to give back to her community. She began teaching Ukrainian children who had also come to Romania.Tetiana is not alone. More than 6.9 million people from Ukraine have crossed the border into Romania, with over 177,000 of them receiving temporary protection.In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), together with the Romanian Red Cross, quickly mobilized to provide critical assistance: food, hygiene items, and vital information at key transit points across the country.During this crisis, the IFRC decided to use cash and voucher assistance (CVA) as a key component of its response. Since then, nearly 90,000 displaced people from Ukraine in Romania have received more than CHF 27 million in financial assistance from the IFRC and Romanian Red Cross."Through cash programs, we have been able to empower people who have left their homes in search of safety by giving them choices and allowing them to prioritize their most urgent needs," said Emilie Goller, Head of the IFRC Country Office in Romania.Partnership and lessons learnedAmong humanitarian organizations, CVA has become an integral part of many emergency response operations. Often used along with other forms of traditional, in-kind assistance, cash is a powerful way to get help to people in a dignified manner, while also supporting local suppliers and reducing shipping and logistics costs.Over time, humanitarian organizations have continued to learn better, more efficient ways to work together and improve CVA delivery and accountability. In Romania, several humanitarian organizations recently did just that, putting their heads together and sharing experiences deliveringСVA to Ukrainian refugees like Tetiana.In early September, for example, the IFRC, the Romanian Red Cross and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) organized a lessons-learned workshop on cash and voucher assistance in Bucharest, the country’s capital. More than 10 humanitarian organizations and agencies participated in the event."This workshop is an important opportunity for all of us to share the lessons we have learned, discuss the challenges we have faced, and explore ways to improve and expand our efforts in direct financial assistance," added Adrian Halpert, Secretary General of the Romanian Red Cross.Collectively, the organizations involved in the workshop have provided nearly CHF 48.5 million in assistance to people displaced from Ukraine to Romania over the past two years."Our progress in Romania is a testament to the power of working together,”says the IFRC’s Goller. “Through strong partnerships across sectors, organizations and governments, we have been able to make a real, tangible impact in addressing the crisis that unexpectedly erupted in the heart of Europe."Here are some of the key learnings:Collaboration is key: Effective partnerships are essential to ensure fairness and coherent eligibility criteria, to help organizations define and support the most vulnerable and support them and to minimize redundancies.Local capacity is important: Cash assistance requires different delivery mechanisms, security measures, and eligibility criteria than traditional forms of aid delivery. The more local organizations are ready to provide cash assistance, the easier and more sustainable it will become.Community engagement is crucial: Listening to the specific needs and realities in the communities being served is critical.For example, can local markets provide the needed goods? What amount is sufficient in the local markets?Understandings these factors, among many others, helps build trust and the local partnerships needed for effective humanitarian work.Risk identification and prevention: Proactively addressing potential risks ensures more effective interventions.Long-term planning and sustainability: Integrating cash assistance programs with national social protection systems helps ensure long-term support. Ukrainian Crisis Cash InterventionsTo date, the IFRC network has distributed over CHF 200 million, benefiting 2.8 million people with conditional and/or unconditional cash and voucher assistance in Ukraine and affected countries.For more information about how cash is used to make humanitarian interventions more effective and efficient please see these sources:Cash and voucher assistance at the IFRC