Op-Ed: The weight of an emblem that no longer shields

The weight of an emblem that no longer shieldsByXavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Coordination with The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)The Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems are meant to signal neutrality, humanity, and protection. When they are not respected, the consequences are profound, not just for those who wear them, but for all of those in need.I have just returned from successive missions to Iran Lebanon, Syria, Jordan. What has stayed with me most is not only the scale of needs, it is the conditions and the psychological strain under which our volunteers are working.Weeks of intense hostilities in Iran and Lebanon have left health facilities, businesses and schools across both countries damaged or destroyed. Entire communities are struggling to access basic services, and the long-term consequences are only beginning to unfold. Millions are displaced.Amid this devastation, the reach and capability of our National Societies is extraordinary. In Iran, teams from the Iranian Red Crescent Society spoke of how their experience responding to floods and earthquakes has shaped their ability to carry out search and rescue in bombed neighbourhoods, pulling survivors from rubbles, often within minutes of an attack.I met a rescue team that had just lost a colleague in a so-called “double-tap” strike, where a second attack hits the same site as rescuers arrive. Five others were injured. They spoke calmly, professionally. But the weight of what they had experienced was unmistakable.In Lebanon, this is felt just as sharply.In Beirut, Tyre and Saida, I met volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross working around the clock in a deepening humanitarian crisis. I was struck watching teams prepare to respond to strikes, putting on heavy flak jackets and helmets before getting into ambulances.You cannot help but ask: what must it be like to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) under that weight? To try to save a life while fearing for your own is something no one should have to bear.I saw how volunteers embrace each other before they leave their compound. They do so out of a genuine affection for each other, but also in the knowledge they may never return. Some have even endured strikes inside their own compounds. During our short visit to Tyre, there were three strikes in the surrounding area. We watched colleagues head out towards the danger, knowing the risks, and going anyway.This is the impossible weight our volunteers now carry. Some of them are displaced living in shelters and supporting in health care, mental health, protection and community engagement.Sadly, this is not an isolated reality. It reflects a broader and deeply alarming trend. In the first five months of 2026, 18 volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have already lost their lives, nine in violent attacks. This includes six of our colleagues from Iran and Lebanon that have been killed while simply trying to protect and save others.Our emblems must mean something again. Because without them, when those who save lives are no longer safe, the consequences will be felt by us all.

Silent humanitarian crises deepen across Lebanon and Iran

Beirut/Tehran/Geneva,26May2026 —Three months since the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and Iran, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is warning that multiple silent humanitarian crises are deepening across the region — with long-term consequences for health systems, food security, displacement, and community resilience.While international attention has shifted elsewhere, millions of people continue to face displacement, damaged healthcare systems, disrupted livelihoods, andgrowingchallengesto accessing essential services.Ongoing geopolitical tensions and restrictions affecting regional transportation routes, including through the Strait of Hormuz, continue to hinder humanitarian supply chains and increase the cost of delivering aid. “Behind the headlines, multiple silent crises are deepening with consequences that will last for years,”saidCristhian Cardoza, Deputy Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). “Families are being pushed beyond breaking point — struggling to afford food, medicine, fuel and shelter, while damaged health systems, displacement, and economic pressure continue to drive humanitarian needs higher every day.”Health systems under severe strain in Iran In Iran, the humanitarian consequences of the escalation continue long after the ceasefire. The conflict has seriously disrupted healthcare delivery nationwide, including 56 Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS)centresnationwide. For patients living with chronic illnesses, disruptions to healthcare and medical supply chains are becoming life-threatening.Restrictions affecting transport routescontinue to complicate access to critical medicines and equipment.Despite the pressures, IRCS teams have continued large-scale humanitarian operations across the country, including search and rescue, emergency medical care, and psychosocial support services.Food insecurity deepens across LebanonAnother alarming trend is rapidly emerging:nearly onein four people in Lebanon — around 1.24 million people — are now expected to face acute food insecurity between April and August 2026, according toanalysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). The deterioration is being driven by continued hostilities,prolongeddisplacement, economic collapse, and soaring fuel prices. Fuel prices in Lebanon have risen sharply since the escalation, withdiesel increasing by more than65 per cent, according tothe World FoodProgramme.At the same time,the Minister of Agriculture has warnedthatapproximately 22 per cent ofagricultural land in affected areas has been damaged, further undermining food production and livelihoods. Over1 million peoplein thecountryare currently displaced, with manypeople,especiallyfromthesouth,unable to return home due to ongoing hostilities and destroyedinfrastructure,nowliving in tents following the intense recent hostilities. Protectionconcerns and funding gapthreaten humanitarian responseThe IFRC also reiterated urgent concerns over attacks affecting healthcare workers, ambulances, and humanitarian responders.In Iran and Lebanon combined,sixRed Cross and Red Crescent volunteers have been killed while carrying out humanitarian worksince the recent escalation. “Our teams on the ground are clear - what they need above all else is protection,”saidMrCardoza.“These brave staff and volunteers should not have tofear for their lives when they get an emergency call and travel in theirambulances.“Hospitals, ambulances, medical personnel and humanitarian workers mustbe respected and protected.”The IFRC warned that severe funding shortfalls are threatening the continuity of humanitarian operations across the region.“Behind these numbers are real consequences,”continuedMrCardoza.“Operations may need to be scaled back, supplies delayed or cut, and there will be people we cannot reach.”The IFRC’s Emergency Appeal for Iran is currently only four per cent funded, while the Lebanon appealremainsunder 14 per cent funded.The IFRC called on donors and the international community to provide sustained and flexible funding to support emergency operations, recovery efforts, and longer-term humanitarian needs across the region.Spokespeople are available in Beirut,Tehranand Geneva.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] Geneva:Tommaso DellaLonga,+41 79 708 4367Matthew Carter, +44 7557 802463In Beirut:Mey El Sayegh, +961 03 229 352

Humanitarian work should never be a death sentence - yet for many it increasingly is

Geneva, 5 May 2026 - As the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) marks the 107th anniversary of its founding on 5 May and prepares for World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on 8 May, we must confront a stark reality. Humanitarian work has become increasingly deadly, and it is local humanitarian personnel who are paying the heaviest price.Most recently, the conflict in the Middle East has taken an enormous toll on our colleagues. Six volunteers, including four from the Iranian Red Crescent and two from the Lebanese Red Cross, were killed and many more injured while trying to help others.It is the latest example of a deadly trend that is increasingly putting humanitarian personnel – and particularly local humanitarians - in harm’s way.The numbers tell a clear story (IFRC network figures):Thirteen volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have lost their lives in the first four months of 2026 while carrying out their humanitarian work. Nine of them were killed in violent attacks and four died in accidents while on duty, while many others have faced attacks, injuries and threats.Four members of the Iranian Red Crescent and two volunteers from the Lebanese Red Cross were killed while carrying out their humanitarian duties since the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East in 2026.From 2023 to today, almost 100 volunteers and staff from the IFRC network have died or been killed while serving their communities. This is part of a broader global trend, with 2024 marking the deadliest year on record for humanitarians worldwide.For context, during the previous five years (2018-2022 inclusive), over 30 volunteers and staff from the IFRC network died in the line of duty - around half of them in violent attacks.Prior to 2018, only one other year was comparable - 2017 – which saw one of the single most deadly attacks against our staff and volunteers, when 10 members of the Central African Republic Red Cross were killed on duty. That same year, a total of 32 volunteers and staff were killed by violence and 5 died in accidents.Since 2023, three National Red Crescent Societies have been particularly hard hit, accounting for more than 70 per cent of deaths in the IFRC network. The Sudanese Red Crescent Society has lost 23 volunteers and staff, the Palestine Red Crescent Society 32, and the Iranian Red Crescent Society 15.Figures for deaths of humanitarian personnel killed while on duty from the IFRC network also show that the proportion of those killed in violent versus non-violent incidents has also increased.In 2023, 65% of volunteers and staff from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies killed in the line of duty, were killed in violent incidents.In 2024, this figure jumped to 92%.In 2025, the figure was 88%So far in 2026, 69% of the IFRC network’s humanitarian personnel killed in the line of duty have died in violent incidents.Lastly, it is overwhelmingly local humanitarian personnel who are paying the heaviest price. Global data from the Aid Worker Security Database (which tracks the violent deaths of all humanitarian personnel globally), shows that in 2025, of the 332 humanitarians who were killed in violent incidents worldwide, 99 percent were local personnel.The data is clear. This is not a one-off spike caused by a single incident or context, but a dangerous trend that threatens the security of humanitarian workers. It also points to a changing risk environment, with an increasingly complex range of actors involved in violence against humanitarian personnel.Each of these numbers tells a story of acceleration; inequality; consequences for humanitarian operations; lack of accountability.International humanitarian law is clear. Humanitarian personnel, facilities and assets must be respected and protected. The emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal are symbols of protection. Attacks on humanitarian personnel are unacceptable, and they must not be allowed to become normalised.The international community must take concrete steps to respect and protect humanitarian personnel and ensure their safe and unimpeded access. States must use their influence to ensure respect for international humanitarian law.At the same time, more must be done to support the safety and wellbeing of humanitarian workers, particularly local staff and volunteers. This includes investment in training, protective equipment, insurance, and support for them and their families.We call for concrete steps to support measures such as the Declaration for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, together with our 191 National Societies and 17 million volunteers, stands ready to work with governments, the United Nations, and all partners to turn this Declaration into concrete action for real and lasting protection.It is time this message was heard and acted on. It is time to stop the cycle of violence.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

IFRC strongly condemns the killing of Lebanese Red Cross paramedic Hasan Badawi, while on an ambulance mission

Beirut/Geneva, 13 April 2026: Lebanese Red Cross paramedic Hassan Badawi was killed and another paramedic injured on the evening of Sunday, 12 April, while they were part of a Lebanese Red Cross ambulance team carrying out an emergency medical mission following a previous airstrike in the town of Beit Yahoun, Bint Jbeil district, southern Lebanon.Hassan started volunteering with the Lebanese Red Cross in 2012.The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) strongly condemns this attack on an emergency medical team bearing the protective emblem of the Red Cross.The IFRC extends its deepest condolences to Hassan’s family, loved ones, and Lebanese Red Cross colleagues, while wishing full recovery to the injured.At the time of the attack, the ambulances and their crew were clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem, visible from all sides, and illuminated on the vehicles, in accordance with international humanitarian law. As reported by Lebanese Red Cross, the mission was properly notified in advance through the usual channels, including UNIFIL, to ensure protection and a safe route.Humanitarian workers are not a target.This is the second Lebanese Red Cross volunteer killed while carrying out humanitarian duties since the escalation on 2 March, despite the necessary steps taken to ensure the protection of humanitarian workers.The IFRC reiterates its call that ambulance personnel, medical staff, and Lebanese Red Cross staff and volunteers must be respected and protected at all times in accordance with international humanitarian law.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]   In Beirut:    Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68     In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367  

IFRC mourns Alireza, the third Iranian Red Crescent volunteer in a month to be killed in an airstrike while helping others

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 01 April 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mourns with deep sorrow the death of Alireza Sohbatlou, a 35-year-old relief worker of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS). He was killed on the morning of Tuesday 31 March in an airstrike in the northwestern province of Zanjan, while doing what he had done for 15 years - helping others. The IFRC grieves in solidarity with his family, his loved ones, and his fellow IRCS colleagues. Alireza is the third Iranian Red Crescent volunteer to be killed in just one month of conflict. Three lives have ended while they were saving others in Iran. This must stop.Alireza was a humanitarian. He was a colleague, a person who chose - for 15 years - to give his time, skills and expertise assisting others, through the Zanjan branch of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS). At the time of the strike, Alireza was at the Hussainiya clinic providing humanitarian services to those in need, when the nearby religious site Azam Hussainiya of Zanjan was hit. The Red Crescent emblem is an internationally recognized symbol of neutral, impartial and independent humanitarian assistance; its use is established by law. The symbol identifies those who wear it as people there to help. Ensuring the protection of humanitarians wearing the emblem is not only a moral issue, but an imperative international legal norm. The safety of those protecting and assisting others must be ensuredIn 2026 alone, ten members of the IFRC network globally have now lost their lives in line of duty. Each one leaves behind them families who loved them, friends and colleagues who will miss them, and communities who needed them. Alireza was one of them.For more information: [email protected]    In Beirut:   Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68    In Geneva:  Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 

IFRC outraged by the killing of a second Iranian Red Crescent volunteer as the conflict marks one month

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 30March 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is outraged by the killing of Dr. Somayeh Mir Abo Eshagh, a 44-year-old volunteer with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) from Khansar in the Ishafan Province in central Iran. She tragically lost her life during airstrikes, while on duty, on 27 March. Just one month into the conflict, Dr. Somayeh is the second Iranian Red Crescent volunteer killed while saving lives.Dr. Somayeh lost her life while carrying out a Red Crescent mission to provide humanitarian relief assistance and psychosocial support services to those in need. She had dedicated 22 years of volunteering for the IRCS intermittently. IFRC expresses its deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all colleagues at IRCS. We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance in difficult and often dangerous conditions. Once again, our network is mourning the loss of a colleague. Earlier this month in Iran, Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, another Iranian Red Crescent Society volunteer, was killed during a search and rescue operation, also in the Ishafan province. Since the outbreak of the conflict, 17 IRCS colleagues have also been injured. The Red Crescent emblem is an internationally recognized symbol of protection, humanity and neutrality; it is essential to respect it and uphold the safety of humanitarian personnel to ensure the delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.The killing of Soumaya, and any attack on humanitarians is unacceptable and must be condemned. We continue to call for the protection of humanitarian teams who risk everything to save lives - this is a moral and legal obligation. In just the first three months of 2026, nine members of the IFRC network have lost their lives in the line of duty globally.For more information: [email protected]    In Beirut:   Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68    In Geneva:  Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 

Another Iranian Red Crescent volunteer killed while assisting others, the fourth in just five weeks: IFRC mourns 20-year-old Abolfazl Dahanavi

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 04 April 2026:The International Federationof Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mourns with deep sorrow thekillingof AbolfazlDahanavi,who was only 20yearsold. Hedied onthemorning ofSaturday 4 AprilinMobarekehCounty,in theIsfahan Province,as a result ofan airstrike,while carrying out humanitarian activities.Abolfazl is the fourth Iranian Red Crescent volunteer killedin the line of dutysincethe conflictbegan on 28 February 2026. He was only 16 years old when he started volunteering for the IRCS,dedicating four yearstoserving othersbefore his life was cut short at 20.Fourvolunteershave been killedwhile saving others-in justfive weeksof conflict.This is unjustifiable.We have mourned before. We have called for protection before. We are calling again with greater urgency and outrage: the killing of humanitarianpersonnelmust stop.The Red Crescent emblem is an internationally recognizedand protectedsymbol of neutral,impartialand independenthumanitarianassistance. Those who wear it are there to help–andmustbe protected.The IFRC extends its deepest condolences to the family, loved ones, and colleagues of Abolfazl, and stands infullsolidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and the thousands of volunteers whoseremarkable couragemust be matched with universalcommitmentto protect them asthey continueto serve people in desperate need.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beirut:    Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68     In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 

Through rubble and loss, Iranian Red Crescent teams continue saving lives amid escalating hostilities

This article is based on the emergency response efforts as of 2 April 2026.As hostilities continue to escalate across Iran, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, with attacks reported across 30 out of 31 provinces.In less than a month, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including women and children, and at least 21,000 injured. Many families have been forced to flee their homes, with an estimated 3 per cent of Iran’s population of around 92 million now internally displaced.Homes, neighbourhoods and essential services have been damaged, placing growing pressure on hospitals, shelters, and basic infrastructure.At the forefront of the response, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) has mobilized its nationwide network of volunteers and emergency teams to support affected communities, providing life-saving assistance in some of the hardest-hit areas.Rescue amid the destructionIn the city of Salmas, in West Azerbaijan province, Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers worked alongside the Fire Department after reports that someone was trapped beneath rubble following an attack.Specialized search and rescue teams carefully worked through the debris, eventually locating the person alive. The survivor was safely extracted and transferred for medical treatment.It is one of thousands of rescues carried out by IRCS teams since the escalation began, including children pulled from collapsed buildings and families reached in the immediate aftermath of attacks.A nationwide humanitarian responseFrom the earliest moments of the escalation, the Iranian Red Crescent Society mobilized at scale.Today, it remains the primary humanitarian actor in the country, with 529 branches activated across all 31 provinces and operations reaching 197 cities. Around 100,000 responders, including volunteers, medical teams and rescue personnel, are working around the clock to support affected communities.Search and rescue teams, ambulances, clinics, pharmacies and logistics units are all engaged in delivering life-saving assistance. So far, more than 3,500 people have been rescued from affected areas.At the same time, the response extends beyond immediate physical needs. Through a nationwide hotline, the Iranian Red Crescent has provided psychological and social support to people in distress, receiving more than 100,000 calls from across the country.In West Azerbaijan province, where families displaced by the hostilities have been relocated to emergency shelters, psychosocial support teams are present on site, with a particular focus on supporting children and families as they cope with trauma, fear and loss.Pressure, danger and lossDespite the scale of the response, the operating environment remains extremely challenging.Eighteen IRCS centres have been struck, and nearly 100 ambulances have been damaged or destroyed — critical assets in a context where they often represent the only chance of survival for those injured.Relief workers themselves have not been spared. Three IRCS members have been killed while carrying out their humanitarian duties, includingSomayeh Mir Abu Es’haq, who lost her life during an attack while on duty in Isfahan Province, andHamidreza Jahanbakhsh, who was killed earlier during a search and rescue operation,and Alireza Sohbatloo, who was killed in an attack while providing services at a Red Crescent clinic in Zanjan. As of 1 April 2026, at least 17 other colleagues have been injured while in the line of duty since the escalation began.For many responders, these challenges are not only operational, but deeply personal.In Qom, an IRCS first responder was confronted with the devastating reality of recovering his aunt and her husband from beneath the rubble, alongside a young child.Such moments reflect a broader truth. Many responders are not only witnessing tragedy, they are living it.It is a stark reminder of the burden carried by humanitarian workers, continuing to save lives under immense pressure, even while grieving their own loved ones.Continuing despite the challengesDespite the immense challenges, support continues to come from across the country, both through organized response efforts and individual acts of solidarity.A young barber, Alireza Kazemi, also known as Kenzo, has been volunteering his services to Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers, offering haircuts to help lift morale during long and demanding shifts.“I wanted them and their families to feel a bit better despite these conditions. I worked from 1:45 PM yesterday until 5:00 AM this morning to provide this service, and we will continue working to reach other areas,” he said.“I was outside Iran, but when the escalation began, I felt the need to come back and provide my services here. I want to help my people in any way I can.”Scaling up support for the responseThe IFRC and its network is supporting the Iranian Red Crescent Society by scaling up critical resources to sustain the response.An initial allocation of 1.5 million Swiss francs from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) has enabled the rapid procurement of essential medical supplies and protective equipment for frontline responders.In addition, a 40 million Swiss franc Emergency Appeal has been launched to support up to 5 million people affected by the crisis. Through this appeal, the IFRC is providing operational support and facilitating international procurement and delivery of critical relief items.You can support the Iranian Red Crescent Society’s response and help reach more people in need by contributing to the IFRC Emergency Appealhere.

Statement: 'We are outraged that humanitarian workers continue to be killed across conflicts.' 

This statement is attributed to Kate Forbes, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of the Red CrossGeneva, 13 March 2026 - Since hostilities erupted across the Middle East, humanitarian and medical personnel are being caught in the line of fire, putting at risk the lifelines civilians depend on to survive. If this pattern continues, we fear we will soon be grieving more colleagues killed while trying to save lives.In less than two weeks, these fears are already becoming reality. A Lebanese Red Cross paramedic died from critical injuries sustained while trying to help wounded civilians, and others were injured. In Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society staff and volunteers suffered casualties while helping civilians amidst hostilities.Despite the dangers, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers, as well as those of Magen David Adom in Israel, continue to work across the region at great personal risk to support those in need.Humanitarian personnel are protected under international humanitarian law. One year ago this month, eight Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) paramedics were brutally killed while responding to casualties in Gaza, sparking a global outcry. Yet across conflicts, humanitarian and medical workers continue to be killed, injured, kidnapped or detained while trying to reach people in need.Just Wednesday, a UNICEF colleague was killed in a reported drone strike in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Already this year, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed while on duty not only in Lebanon, but also in Sudan, Gaza and Iran.We have called for it before, and we call for it again: states and parties to conflict must take immediate concrete steps to protect those who risk everything to save lives. When humanitarian workers are protected, so is our shared humanity. The lives of our teams, and those they serve, depend on it.For more information, please contact: IFRC: [email protected] ICRC: [email protected] 

Statement: IFRC appalled by the killing of one Iranian Red Crescent colleague

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 15 March 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is appalled by the death of Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh, a staff member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) from Isfahan Province, who was killed during a search and rescue operation in Tiran-o-Korun, Isfahan Province, on 8 March.Hamidreza Jahanbakhsh lost his life while carrying out his humanitarian duty to assist people affected by the ongoing hostilities. The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues. Since the outbreak of the conflict, several other IRCS staff and volunteers have also sustained injuries while carrying out their duties.The Red Crescent emblem is asymbol of protection, humanity, neutrality, and hope. Yet too often, our volunteers and staff are killed while performing life-saving work. This is unacceptable.We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance in difficult and often dangerous conditions.The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect forthe Red Crescent emblem, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.Once again, our network is mourning the loss of a colleague. Any attack on humanitarians is unacceptable and must be condemned. We will never stop asking for the protection of humanitarian teams: this is a moral and legal obligation.Since the start of the year, seven members of the IFRC network have passed away while on duty.For more information: [email protected] In Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68   In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

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

Kenya Red Cross volunteer lost his life in the line of duty during rescue operation

Geneva/Nairobi, 06 March 2026 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the death of Samuel Wanyonyi Wangila, a dedicated aqua rescue volunteer who lost his life while responding to a rescue operation along the Mbagathi River in Nairobi on 3 March 2026.Samuel was responding to a distress call in the Highrise area when the incident occurred. He was part of an emergency rescue effort to assist a young boy who had reportedly drowned. Tragically, Samuel lost his life while attempting to save others.Samuel served as a volunteer with the Kenya Red Cross Society for more than 15 years, dedicating his time and skills to protecting at-risk communities. Known for his professionalism, courageand commitment, he was among the most experienced members of the National Society’s aqua rescue teams and had trained and mentored many volunteers across the country.In 2025, he received the Special Recognition Award at the Kenya Red Cross Volunteer Awards in acknowledgement of his outstanding service in water rescue operations nationwide.Humanitarian volunteers and staff often operate in extremely difficult and dangerous environments while trying to protect lives and support communities in crisis. Their commitment and service are the backbone of humanitarian response worldwide.Any loss of a humanitarian worker in the line of duty is a profound tragedy. Across the world, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers risk their lives every day to assist people in emergencies. The safety and protection of humanitarian workers must always remain a priority. Globally, since the start of the year, four National Societies volunteers and staff have lost their lives while on duty.The IFRC extends its deepest condolences to Samuel’s wife, family, friends, and fellow volunteers during this incredibly difficult time.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]    

IFRC mourns the killing of one Iranian Red Crescent colleague

Tehran/Beirut/Geneva, 14 January 2026: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the killing of Amir Ali Latifi, an Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) staff member, and the wounding of five other IRCS colleagues, who were all in the line of duty in Gillan province, on 10 January 2026.The IFRC expresses its sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, and all IRCS colleagues.We stand in solidarity with the Iranian Red Crescent Society and all medical and humanitarian workers providing life-saving assistance during this difficult time. Humanitarian workers must be protected.The Iranian Red Crescent Society is a humanitarian organization and part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, operating in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of Humanity, Neutrality, Impartiality and Independence.The safety and protection of humanitarian personnel, as well as respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, are essential to ensure the continued delivery of impartial, life-saving assistance to people in need.The IFRC is deeply concerned about the consequences of the ongoing unrest on the people of Iran and is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society.For more information: [email protected] BeirutMey Al Sayegh, +961 761 744 68   In GenevaTommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67   

Paraguay: Red Cross strengthens neonatal care to protect mothers and newborns

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, held each year, reminds us that the protection and well-being of women and children must be prioritised in all settings. This includes the right to access affordable, safe, quality healthcare during pregnancy, childbirth and the neonatal period.In Paraguay, the pioneering work of the Red Cross's Reina Sofía Hospital is a prime example of how investing in maternal and neonatal health can help to prevent gender-based violence.The Reina Sofía Hospital is a historic pillar of maternal and child health in Paraguay. It was the country's first premature care centre and the first to have neonatal intensive care. It receives pregnant women from all over the country and delivers around 2,200 babies each year, 8–10 per cent of whom are born prematurely.However, the neonatal unit had been working with minimal equipment and obsolete devices.Therefore, to improve infrastructure and technology, the Paraguayan Red Cross accessed the IFRC Capacity Building Fund, which enabled the complete remodelling of the inpatient rooms and the acquisition of two new ultrasound machines for the diagnostic area.These improvements will enhance the care provided to pregnant women, newborns and premature babies, minimising risks and ensuring safer, more protective environments.Yenny Benítez, president of the Paraguayan Red Cross, summarises the impact:“The Paraguayan Red Cross is proud to say that we are raising the standards of our hospital to provide better and better care for mothers and their children.”To prevent gender-based violence, mothers must also be protectedAccess to safe and respectful obstetric care is an essential component of preventing gender-based violence, especially obstetric violence.Thanks to an agreement signed with Paraguay's Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, the neonatal therapy rooms have also been equipped with new ventilators, light therapy devices, and incubators. These improvements enable an adequate response to neonatal emergencies and protecting the lives of mothers and newborns, especially in cases of premature birth or respiratory complications.With almost 30 years of service at the institution, Head of Neonatology Dr. Marta Bareiro recalls the hospital's history:“This is a hospital with a long history of maternal and neonatal care. It used to be a premature baby ward, the first premature baby center in Paraguay. Later, it was also the first place to offer neonatal intensive care, and we were also the first hospital certified as mother- and child-friendly.”The center has intensive and intermediate care units, shared accommodation to strengthen the mother-infant bond, a clinic for healthy children, and specialized follow-up care for premature babies. It also promotes community first aid knowledge through trained volunteers from the Paraguayan Red Cross.Testimonials of protectionThe experiences of women treated at Reina Sofia Hospital demonstrate the importance of a safe environment and quality care in ensuring the emotional and physical well-being of mothers and newborns.Mirtha Alfonso, who gave birth in 1986, fondly recalls how her son was born:“He was born on 16 August 1986 here at the Red Cross. I was going to have a normal delivery, but it didn't work out, so I had a caesarean section. Then he went to intensive care. It wasn't so simple because the wards were full. Thankfully, though, one of the children was moved to intermediate care, so a crib became available.”Mirtha even donated breast milk to babies whose mothers were unable to breastfeed."When my baby was transferred to intermediate care, I was finally able to hold him and breastfeed him," Mirtha recalls, becoming emotional again. "I remember it so clearly, and it still makes me emotional. It was the first time I held my baby, and I cried with joy."Liz Marlene Ayala, a mother of two who was pregnant as a teenager, says she chose the Paraguayan Red Cross because she received understanding and dignified treatment there.“I was very young, and one of the things that made me continue my treatment here was the way I was treated. I was 16 in 2000 and came here for my consultation because of how they treated teenagers.”Having returned more than 15 years later, she recognises the improvements in infrastructure and technology, as well as the respect and warmth of the healthcare team, which has remained unchanged over the years.Hospital and Paraguayan Red Cross staff also work with the Ministry of Health on campaigns promoting sexual and reproductive health, preventing cancer in women, tackling addiction and epidemics, and encouraging voluntary blood donation.Providing care with empathy, active listening, support, and ensuring adequate technology are all ways of protecting women, girls, and newborns.In Paraguay and around the world, the IFRC network will continue to promote safe, violence-free healthcare environments, so that every mother and baby receives the care they deserve from day one.Such investments therefore play a critical role in preventing what is often referred to as “obstetric violence”, in which women are subjected to inadequate care, neglect or mistreatment in facilities involved in reproductive healthcare.

IFRC on five Sudanese Red Crescent volunteers killed: 'We are horrified'

Geneva, 28 October 2025 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is horrified, shocked, and deeply saddened by the killing of five volunteers of the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) who were on duty in the city of Bara, North Kordofan, on 27 October. Another three volunteers are still missing.The Sudanese Red Crescent team was on an official mission as part of a food distribution team in the city of Bara. They were clearly identified by wearing Red Crescent vests, which are supposed to provide them with full protection, and carried identification cards issued by the local branch.Any attack on humanitarian teams is unacceptable. We strongly reiterate our call for unwavering respect for the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems and the crucial humanitarian services they represent.The IFRC sends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to their friends and colleagues.The Sudanese Red Crescent has lost 21 colleagues on duty since the beginning of the conflict.Since the beginning of 2025, 25 Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers from across the globe have lost their lives while carrying out their humanitarian duties.This is unacceptable.For information, please contact: [email protected] Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67

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

Statement by IFRC President Kate Forbes to the UNGA on the Launch of the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel

Excellencies,Distinguished delegates,I am standing in front of you today with a broken heart, but also with a sense of gratitude and urgency.A broken heart because too many times I had to write condolence letters to the families of our Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff killed in the line of duty. Every day, they wear our Red Cross and Red Crescent emblem with a simple yet profound purpose: to help people and protect their dignity, without discrimination. But too often they pay the highest price for their courage and dedication.Gratitude, because the launch of the Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel is a clear affirmation by states and by all of us here today that the lives of those who serve humanity matter.It is a clear signal that we will not remain silent in the face of appalling and record-breaking pattern of attacks.Urgency, because we know that words alone will not protect humanitarians from bullets, bombs and attacks. We need states to fulfil their obligations to protect civilians, including humanitarian personnel.In the past year alone, too many of our colleagues across the humanitarian community have been injured, detained, or killed while helping others.So far in 2025, over 99% of humanitarian personnel killed were local/national staff and volunteers – the backbone of our humanitarian action.Each one of these lives is not just a number - it is a tragedy for their families, for their communities, and for our shared humanity.The launch of this Declaration is a solemn promise.A promise that those who commit their lives to helping others will themselves be protected.A promise that the international community will not look away when access is denied and when humanitarian principles are violated.A promise that states will uphold their obligations under international law and ensure accountability when humanitarian aid workers are attacked.But protection is not achieved in conference halls. It requires political will, respect for international humanitarian law, and concrete action at every level. This is what we hope to see from all of you here.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, together with our 191 National Societies and 16 million volunteers, stands ready to work with governments, the United Nations, and all partners to turn the momentum generated by this Declaration into concrete action for real and lasting protection.By hosting the Secretariat for the Group of Friends on Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at our headquarters in Geneva, we are dedicating ourselves to ensuring that this Declaration becomes a living instrument - an instrument towards strengthening protection, fostering accountability, and bringing the voices of humanitarian personnel into the heart of global policy.In addition, through our Red Family Fund, we provide vital financial support to our volunteers and staff who are killed in the line of duty. While honouring their dedication and courage, we want to ensure that their families are not left behind. It is our sincere hope that the day will soon come when this fund is no longer needed. To those who wear the emblem of humanity in disasters, in conflict settings and in forgotten crises: this declaration is for you.May it mark not just words on paper, but a renewed global commitment to ensure that your dedication to humanity is honoured with the safety and dignity you deserve.Excellencies, let us make sure that this declaration is a step towards a world where no one is harmed for choosing to stand on the side of humanity.Thank you.

World Humanitarian Day: An urgent call to honor, respect and protect those who #ActForHumanity

On a conflict-torn night in Tehran, Morteza Zakeri, head of a relief and rescue team, was dispatched to a residential building struck by airstrikes. He arrived to find devastation – collapsed homes, shattered glass, and streets filled with terrified women and children.“There was no time to pause,” he says. “We began clearing debris immediately. The screams of trapped families pushed us to move faster, despite the constant risk of further collapse.”Yet in the middle of fear and rubble, Zakeri found pride in the courage of his team. “It’s not just duty anymore,” he says. “It’s love. We stand by our people until the very end.”On World Humanitarian Day 2025 (19 August), we unite with humanitarians around the world under the banner #ActForHumanity to honour the courage of people like Morteza who rush toward danger to save lives - often at great personal risk.We also join with others in pledging to further heighten our resolve to ensure humanitarian workers and emergency responders are respected and protected as they carry out their life-saving duties.This year, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), the lead sponsor of World Humanitarian Day, is directing its fund-raising efforts for the day to the Red Family Fund, which provides support to the families of Red Cross and Red Crescent humanitarian workers who die in the line of duty.Since the beginning of 2024, a total of 50 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and workers have been killed in the line of duty. 18 of those deaths occurred in 2025. Each one of them stood under the protective emblems of the Red Cross, Red Crescent, or Red Crystal – which under international humanitarian law means they must be respected, protected and never become a target.This includes five people from the Iranian Red Crescent Society, whose volunteers and staff responded with extraordinary bravery during a deadly escalation of violence in June 2025.Some of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Others survived, but carry with them the scars, stories, and spirit of what it means to be a humanitarian. In this story, we pay tribute to both: those who gave their lives while helping others, and to those who continue, against all odds, to serve with love, resilience, and act with unwavering humanity.Nima Ahmadi: A lens and a lifelineFor nearly two decades, Nima Ahmadi has served with the Iranian Red Crescent, both as a rescuer and a storyteller. During the 12-day conflict, he embodied both roles.When explosions shook his neighborhood on the first night, Nima rushed to the scene in his own car, first - aid kit in hand. He treated the injured before other responders arrived - and documented the devastation through his camera lens.“I put on my relief uniform and went to the explosion site,”he recalls. “I drove my own car to the location. People had already crowded into the area. I entered the scene as a relief worker. No one had arrived yet to aid; I had my aid kit with me, and I provided first aid to injured people. When emergency services and other rescue agencies arrived, I continued providing support. Alongside the relief work, I was also documenting the scene with photography.”In another neighborhood, he found three children lying in the street, covered in dust. “I was alone. I aided them, then moved on to another area. I didn’t stop - neither providing aid nor reporting and photographing.”Kianoush Fallahi: When a mission turns into mourningKianoush Fallahi, a search and rescue dog trainer, was responding alongside his dog Zhiro in western Tehran. As they began operations, a second wave of airstrikes hit the area.“A powerful explosion rocked the area; Zhiro was shaken by the shockwave. I quickly moved him to safety and tried to continue the operation on my own - but the strikes kept coming. Every time we approached, another blast would follow.”But the cost of service soon became personal. As he approached an Iranian Red Crescent ambulance to greet fellow responders, a strike hit.“As I was leaving the Doukhouheh area, my colleague Mojtaba Maleki and another colleague were standing near an ambulance parked along the highway. I walked over to greet them, but seconds later, that same ambulance was struck.“I was thrown by the blast. When I got up, I couldn’t find my colleague Mojtaba. Someone told me he had been killed. I just stood there and wept.”Honouring the fallen: A call to protect those who protect othersThe death of Mojtaba Maleki was not an isolated tragedy. He was one of five Iranian Red Crescent staff and volunteers who lost their lives during the recent escalation of violence - each of them killed while fulfilling their humanitarian duty to protect and save others.On 13 June, Mehdi Zartaji Saray, a staff member of the IRCS rescue team, was killed in East Azerbaijan province while responding to wounded civilians.On 14 June, Yaser Zivari, a volunteer firefighter and rescuer, was seriously injured while providing humanitarian assistance in Hamedan. He succumbed to his injuries eight days later.On 16 June, during a rescue operation in northwest Tehran, an ambulance was struck in an airstrike, killing Mojtaba Maleki and his colleague Amir Hassan Jamshidpour- both dedicated IRCS volunteers.On 22 June, Seyyed Ali Akbar Mir Mohammadi, a volunteer offering humanitarian aid in Isfahan, was killed during an attack.These five lives - cut short while helping others - represent the deepest cost of humanitarian service. They were not carrying weapons. They carried stretchers, medical kits and hope.On World Humanitarian Day 2025, we remember these five brave people, and countless others across the world, who gave their lives in service to humanity. We hopestand with us to protect humanity; our call is urgent and clear:Protect humanitarian workers.Respect humanitarian emblems.No one should ever die while saving lives.Learn how you can support those who #ActForHumanity:Stand with us to protect humanityHonor the fallen: visit the IFRC In Memoriam pageSupport the Red Family FundMake a donation to the Red Family Fund

IFRC condemns attack on Palestine Red Crescent headquarters in Khan Younis and killing of staff member

Beirut, Geneva, 3 August 2025: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) condemns the attack on the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) headquarters in Khan Younis, which resulted in the killing of PRCS staff member Omar Isleem, and injuries to two additional staff members and one civilian who was trying to help extinguish the fire that broke out at the site.The facility, clearly marked with the Red Crescent emblem, protected under universally agreed rules of international humanitarian law, was reportedly struck multiple times, with the second and ground floors hit while PRCS teams were evacuating the premises and working to contain a fire.A total of 51 PRCS staff and volunteers have lost their lives during this conflict. Of these, 31 — including 29 in Gaza and two in the West Bank — were killed while on duty, wearing the Red Crescent emblem that should have guaranteed their protection under international humanitarian law.We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Omar Isleem, his colleagues, and the entire PRCS team.IFRC President Kate Forbes said: "I am outraged and devastated by the horrific news from Gaza. I offer my deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Omar Isleem. My thoughts are also with those who have been injured and with all the staff and volunteers of PRCS.”IFRC Secretary General, Jagan Chapagain, said: "I am horrified and appalled by news of this attack. I cannot stress enough that humanitarian workers and facilities must be protected. It's a moral and legal imperative."For almost two years, the PRCS has been providing ambulance services and critical healthcare under relentless and extremely dangerous conditions in Gaza, caring for the many wounded amidst continuous hostilities. With the healthcare system on the brink of collapse and medical resources nearly depleted, PRCS teams remain a lifeline for civilians in desperate need of life-saving support. Any attack on their facilities or personnel is an attack on humanitarian assistance itself.This incident is a stark reminder of the dire and unacceptable conditions facing humanitarian workers and civilians in Gaza.We stand in full solidarity with the Palestine Red Crescent Society.We reiterate our calls:Civilians must be protected.Humanitarians must be protected.The Red Crescent emblem must be respected and protected.There are no excuses.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Beirut:Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68 Joanna Daou: +961 71 802 779In Geneva:Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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

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

With too many wars raging and tensions rising, we must uphold international humanitarian law and the vision of a mine-free world

Geneva, 04 april 2025: Joint statement by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and Sweden National Red Cross SocietiesRecent announcements by several states in northern and central Europe on their decision to withdraw from the Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention mark a dangerous setback for the protection of civilians in armed conflict. Citing a deteriorating security situation and military threats, these decisions come at a time of rising international tensions and armed conflicts, which have already claimed tens of thousands of lives.History is clear and the indiscriminate effects of these weapons cannot be glossed over. Even when initially placed on frontlines, they inevitably kill and maim the very people they were meant to protect before they are eventually cleared at astronomical costs.The Anti-personnel Mine Ban Convention comprehensively prohibits anti-personnel mines and provides vital protections for civilians in both armed conflict and post-conflict situations. States withdrawing from such treatiesrisk eroding life-saving protectionsandthreaten decades of global efforts to eradicate these inhumane weapons. This is a step backward withdevastating humanitarian consequences, exposing civilians to a lasting risk of death and injury.International humanitarian law, including this convention, exists to protect people in the darkest times, based on the experience from war’s battlefields and their human costs. To adopt these rules in times of peace and to abandon them in times of war or increased tensions is to misunderstand their meaning entirely. To abandon them because the adversary does not respect them leads to a dangerous downward spiral, of which civilians will pay the price.Their limited military utility has not changed since the Convention was adopted in 1997: whatever it may be, states agreed to ban these weapons, because some weapons are simply not acceptable.Honouring humanitarian commitments is vital for protecting people caught up in armed conflict and serves the interest of all, regardless of the actions of others. Now is the time to uphold – not weaken – humanitarian norms.In times of great uncertainty and acute international tensions,we call on states to reinforce the stigma againstweapons whose human cost is unacceptable. Over 80% of the world’s states are committed to a mine-free world, and this is the vision we must and will continue to work towards.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Budapest:Corrie Butler, +36 70 430 6506

Two years later, a survivor of the Türkiye-Syria earthquake is seeing a better, safer and healthier future

The devastating earthquakes that struck southern Türkiye in 2023 affected millions of lives, leaving destruction and hardship in their wake. Among the survivors is Canan, a mother of four who, along with her family, resides in a container city in Hatay.Canan’s story is one of perseverance despite physical and emotional scars. “During the earthquake, a wall collapsed on my face and back,” she recalls. “I was badly injured. That period was incredibly painful. For a while, I was bedridden. I went through long treatments. Now, I can walk without a walker”.While Canan regained her mobility after her prolonged treatment, she also lost vision in one eye due to debris falling on her face. What affected her most deeply was losing her eyelid, which left her unable to close one of her eyes.“I couldn’t bear to look in the mirror. I always felt bad seeing myself like that and didn’t want to go outside,” she said, reflecting on the emotional toll the experience took on her.Not aloneFortunately, Canan did not have to face this enormous life challenge on her own. Along the way, her psychological recovery has been supported by the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC), which provided trauma counseling for earthquake survivors. The project was done in cooperation with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), which launched a global emergency appeal within days of the initital earthquakesShe also received critical help through another collaborative TRC and IFRC programme that aims to ensure the safety and protection of people who are often particularly vulnerable following a large-scale disaster – women, children, the elderly and the disabled.Those efforts include financial aid that can provide people with greater stability and independence while also helping them meet other urgent needs such as health care, access to medicine, education opportunities, legal help or psychological support.Such services greatly reduce the chances that people in vulnerable situations are further harmed, abused or exploited, and they greatly increase the chances for a full and dignified recovery.In Canan’s case, the program enabled her to access health services for physiotherapy and treatment to restore her eyelid function.Though she still cannot see from one eye, Canan feels immense relief and gratitude for the chance to regain her confidence.“They supported me a lot,” she says of the Red Crescent. “I didn't want to show my face to anyone. I even got over that. Now I am very confident. I am normal. One of my eyes is blind, but I still have many friends and loved ones.”Comfortable and confidentAnother significant impact of the earthquakes was her intense fear of entering buildings, a common reaction among survivors. "I couldn’t enter concrete buildings before. I was terrified. But after receiving weekly psychological support from the Turkish Red Crescent for several months, I began to overcome it.”Canan can now get into the buildings, even into high-rise ones.“For the first time after the earthquake, I even went to my sister’s apartment on the 12th floor. Before the psychological support, I wasn’t even going outside. Now I feel more comfortable, more confident. I feel much better," she explained.The earthquakes left millions without homes or livelihoods, and vulnerable groups have been particularly affected. For individuals like Canan, who faced both physical and psychological challenges, these support mechanisms offer a crucial lifeline, enabling survivors to regain their dignity and rebuild their lives.A better life aheadA recent survey showed that the cash assistance programme is having a concrete, measurable impact. According to the study, 88 percent of the people who participated in the project reported improved living conditions.Thefollow-up assessment of the programme, known as Post-Distribution Monitoring, reveals that 51 percent of those who took part used the provided assistance to reduce or eliminate health-related protection risks.Ninety-five percent of people also reported improved household communication and relationships, reinforcing the broader social benefits of the assistance.By Sevil ErkuşSenior Communications Officer, IFRC Türkiye Delegation

‘Protect Humanity’ event commemorates humanitarians killed this year

Geneva, 5 December - As the world’s largest humanitarian network, the IFRC’s message is clear: violence against humanitarian workers must stop. Even one life lost is far too many. Yet since the beginning of the year, 32 of our volunteers and staff have died or been killed while performing their humanitarian duties – 29 in violent attacks and 3 in accidents. This is among the highest levels of global violence against IFRC network teams that we have ever experienced.The protection of civilians, humanitarians, healthcare workers and facilities is not just a legal and moral obligation, but a pressing concern that demands immediate attention.Seven Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies have experienced death and loss in 2024: Palestine Red Crescent Society (18 people), Sudanese Red Crescent (eight people), Iranian Red Crescent (two people), Algerian Red Crescent (one person), Ethiopian Red Cross Society (one person), Red Cross of the Democratic Republic of Congo (one person) and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (one person).In the lead-up to International Volunteer Day on 5 December, 26 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world – including, among others, Palestine, Syria, Venezuela, Italy, America, Greece, Netherlands, Nigeria, Singapore, Slovenia and Pakistan - are gathering in their cities to pay tribute to the colleagues we have lost this year. Sami Moussa Abu Mustafa, ambulancevolunteer with the Palestine Red Crescent, provided a testimony, along with volunteers from other affected National Societies:“I feel deep sorrow over the losses we have witnessed this year, including the loss of colleagues. Everyone standing in solidarity with us strengthens our resilience, supports our efforts, and ensures the continuity of theservices we provide to communities. What motivates us to persevere is our sense of humanitarian duty, our desire to alleviate the suffering of others, and our commitment to saving lives despite the sacrifices involved.”At a special event held at IFRC Geneva headquarters on 4 December, IFRC staff and volunteers congregatedto highlight the importance of ‘Protecting Humanity’. IFRCUnder Secretary General for Global Relations and Humanitarian Diplomacy,Nena Stoiljkovic, anda Geneva Red Cross volunteer spoke, and the names of the colleagues we have lost this year were read out, with candles, the Red Cross Red Crescent emblems, and pictures of those colleagues as a backdrop, providing a powerful and moving visual.AV materials are also available here from the different National Societies taking part globally (regularly updated as events happen).For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09

International Volunteer Day: In the Philippines, volunteers brought unwavering support in the face of six devastating typhoons

In the course of just two months – October to November 2024 – the Philippines were hit with an unrelenting onslaught of destructive typhoons, each one bringing floods and landslides that devastated communities.With over 10 million people affected, the disasters have left a trail of destruction and heartache. But through it all, volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross Society have been there, in communities around the country, offering support and comfort to those in need.Felisa Buquel, a volunteer from the Isabela chapter has been out there every day, working in evacuation centres, talking, listening and conducting damage assessments to ensure that people get the support they need to recover and rebuild. As we mark International Volunteer Day [December 5], she shares her story of perseverance, compassion and courage“My journey with the Philippine Red Cross began in school, where my classmates and I were encouraged to volunteer. We first got involved on World CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) Day, where we were taught the basics. During the training, we thought, 'Wow, they're so skilled even though they’re so young!' After that, I thought, 'I want to know how this volunteering works; I want to try it myself.'I realized that being a Red Cross volunteer isn't just about showing up—there’s a lot of training involved. So at first, it felt like just a small effort, but eventually, it became more challenging and meaningful.Every time I joined a deployment, the thought would cross my mind: ‘What if something happens, and I don’t make it back to my family?’After volunteering at the Marikina chapter for a while, I was asked if I wanted to join a deployment. My first deployment took me to the eruption of the Taal volcano [in the Province of Batangas].My first task was preparing hot meals. I didn’t even know how to cook properly back then! But in the Red Cross, as a leader once told me, you need to be multitasking—you can’t just know one thing.I’ll never forget the Taal deployment. I still remember the ashfall—it was so intense, I couldn’t breathe. I was shaking, and I thought, 'Lord, is this it? Will I be okay?'Every time I joined a deployment, the thought would cross my mind: ‘What if something happens, and I don’t make it back to my family?’But when I see the people in the community who really need help, it feels like everything else doesn’t matter anymore. When I see how much they’re suffering, I can set aside my fears and just do what I can to help.With the typhoons, I have been supporting in a lot of different ways, especially in the evacuation centres. What’s important is that people know they’re not just a number, a statistic, to us.We genuinely want to hear how they are feeling and do what we can to help. For children, the impact of the back-to-back storms has been especially overwhelming. Every time it rains, even just a bit, I can see they get scared—they’re afraid it will start to flood again.When I see the children enjoying themselves, I feel relieved. But sometimes, when they start getting bored or upset, that’s when I know I need to step in and come up with a new activity or strategy to keep their spirits up.Singing and dancing to songs like ‘Baby Shark’ may seem simple but seeing the children happy made it all worthwhile. Their joy reminds me why we do this work—to bring comfort, even in small ways, when everything else seems lost.While we bring essential supplies, I believe what makes us unique is that we bring support and comfort too. One person said, ‘You became like family to us.’ They felt cared for and helped in a way they hadn't before.Their joy reminds me why we do this work—to bring comfort, even in small ways, when everything else seems lost.In the end, I’m proud to be with the Red Cross. I'm proud of the deployments I’ve been part of, and I’m grateful to my mentors at the Red Cross who have been like second parents to me, always supporting me in my studies and personal growth.When someone expresses their gratitude, saying, 'Thank you, ma’am, for coming,' even when you haven’t given them much—just a simple greeting, asking them how they are—that’s something you can’t forget. Those moments when you can show them someone cares, that’s the time I realize what volunteering is all about.”Philippine Red Cross has deployed over 4,000 volunteers to support communities in response to the six typhoons that hit the country from October to November 2024. As their work continues, the IFRC has launched anEmergency Appeal to support the work of Philippine Red Cross in helping communities to recover and rebuild.

International Volunteer Day: ‘We will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end’

Walking into the room where emergency medical teams keep their belongings while on duty, Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Jihad Mansour says there isn’t a day that goes by when he doesn’t think of colleagues who have fallen in the line of their duty.“Every time I open thelocker, memories of my dear friend and colleague Fadi Al-Maani come back to me,” he says, referring to a fellow paramedic who was killed while trying to save lives in the Gaza Strip during the last year.In 2024, International Volunteers Day [5 December] comes at the end of a year that has proven to be one of the worst in terms of the safety of humanitarian workers. On this day, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of volunteers around the world while also working to ensure all volunteers are protected from harm.This year so far, at least30 Red Crescent and Red Cross volunteers have died in the line of duty. Like the majority of volunteers from other organizations who were killed, most were local first responders, people like Fadi Al-Maani. Ordinary people, doing extraordinary things for others.“If you're a first responder, you're an extraordinary human being facing different and often terrifying situations, working tirelessly day and night,” says Jihad, adding that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has tested him even more than prior conflicts.“I've lived through the wars in the Gaza Strip in 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. However, this war, which began in October 2023 is the longest, most intense and most violent. It has led to the highest number of casualties and injuries.”Memories of lost colleagues and of harrowing, painful experiences are also never far from the mind of fellow Palestine Red Crescent paramedic Kamal Ahmad. “The most painful aspect of this war is the loss of those dearest to you — your friend, your brother, your colleague,” he says.But this is not the only emotional challenge that volunteers here face.“The most harrowing experience I had in the war was when we were called out to respond to the bombing in Deir al-Balah camp,” says Ahmad, who ended up transporting in the ambulance no less than 18 people that day. “It was extremely difficult for me because most of those we transported were children and women.”Volunteers also face daysofextreme frustrationwhen trying to help others,as challenges of working in a war zone get in the way.“We have faced challenges such as reaching injured people, hospital closures, insufficient equipment and medical staff,” recounts Jihad. “We have worked tirelessly, day and night without breaks or respite.“The most draining aspect was the blocked roads, which left me stuck in the hospital while my family was displaced living in a tent in Al-Mawasi and I was unable to communicate with them or know anything about them.”Volunteers can also be personally touched by the violence. “Receiving news of a strike near my house was agonizing,” says Ahmad. “I was distraught; I rushed out of the medical center and went home to check on my loved ones and help them evacuate. It was a tragedy in itself. I deeply miss my friends and family.“I lost several cherished individuals. Among them were Fadi Al-Maani, Youssef Abu Muammar, Fouad Abu Khammash, Muhammad Al-Omari, my colleague and close friend with whom I used to work closely, in the same ambulance.”The constant state of emergency, and heightened security, displacement of families means that volunteers are often separated from their friends and families — and their regular routines that bring them joy — just like the people they are working to help.“We used to gather family, friends and colleagues to enjoy each other's company but now those moments are just a memory overshadowed by the violence and brutality of this war,” says Jihad.“We enjoyed a lot of beautiful days and years together and losing them deeply affected us, leaving us emotionally drained. But we will continue our humanitarian mission until the very end.”