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

New Red Vest podcast episode: 'Quiet strength' – Three years of conflict in Sudan have forced millions from their homes. While the crisis gets little outside attention, the people of Sudan persevere.

One year after Myanmar earthquake, local responders drive recovery as international support remains critical

Yangon/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 27 March 2026–One year after a devastating earthquake struck central Myanmar, communities and local responders continue to show extraordinary strength as they rebuild amid overlapping crises. Even as thousands of families work to recover from the destruction of homes, schools, and health facilities, ongoing conflict, economic challenges, flooding, and extreme heat have compounded hardship for millions across the country.In the face of these challenges, IFRC support has been critical in helping the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and its network of thousands of trained volunteers to remain a lifeline for communities, often reaching the most vulnerable families in distant and hard to access areas. Support by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and 32 National Societies worldwide, as well as other partners and donors, has brought vital assistance to more than 213,652 people across 31 townships.Local volunteers at the heart of a community-driven recoveryFrom the earliest hours of the disaster, MRCS staff and volunteers mobilised to provide first aid, health care, food and safe water, shelter items, and essential household supplies – often travelling from all corners of the country to assist those in need.“One year after the March 2025 earthquake, communities in Myanmar continue to show remarkable strength and dignity,”said Nadia Khoury, Head of Delegation, IFRC Myanmar.“I have just travelled to activity sites in 16 different villages and wards in several of the earthquake-affected areas and was impressed to see how the Myanmar Red Cross has worked with community committees, with village leaders, and through its volunteers to really address the biggest needs of the communities in an inclusive, participatory, and dignified manner,” she added.Flexible assistance: restoring choice, dignity, and faster recoveryA cornerstone of the response has been multipurpose assistance, which has allowed families to choose what matters most as they start to rebuild their lives. After receiving emergency shelter, health support, and essential items, many used grants to repair homes, buy food, replace lost belongings, or pay medical fees.Through MRCS’s strong community networks, multipurpose assistance has been delivered effectively, including in hard-to-access locations. While working in these locations can be challenging and requires careful management, MRCS has put strong systems in place to ensure funds are used safely and effectively. Over the past year, the IFRC also facilitated using new digital tools to improve transparency, strengthen community feedback, and ensure assistance reaches those most in need, when they need it.Community-led shelters enabling safer, dignified livingIn parallel, the Myanmar Red Cross has enabled hundreds of families to build safe, locally appropriate homes through a community-led shelter approach, with technical assistance and guidance from MRCS and IFRC. Using grants, families select from preferred designs that meet safety standards and incorporate Build Back Safer techniques, including rainwater harvesting, ventilation, sanitation facilities, and solar power. These shelters are built with local materials and enhanced to withstand future hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, and cyclones.Massive needs remain as recovery continuesDespite significant progress, thousands of families still require support to rebuild livelihoods, homes, and essential services. Reconstructing water and sanitation systems, restoring access to health care, and reestablishing sustainable income opportunities will require time and continued investment.“There's still so much to be done this year and in 2027. We've had a remarkable response from the international community. The MRCS has delivered with professionalism, with expertise in a timely manner and we look forward to working together to keep assisting those affected by the earthquake and other vulnerable people here in Myanmar,” said Jonathan Brass,Operations Manager, IFRC Myanmar Delegation.IFRC calls for sustained supportTheIFRC Emergency Appeal for Myanmar remains only 29.4% funded, limiting the ability to scale up recovery activities that communities urgently need. Additional contributions are essential to ensure families can continue rebuilding with dignity and hope.“Recovery is far from over. Now we look forward to the recovery phase through livelihood, additional integrated shelter and sanitation and embedding sustainability and disaster preparedness in our community work,” added Nadia Khoury.Note to editors:Visuals:PhotosandB-roll are available. Story:One year after the earthquake, rebuilding lives and livelihoodsFor more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

Sounds like home: One year after the earthquake, rebuilding lives and livelihoods

Cape Verde: Red Cross helps flood-affected communities recover and rebuild

Four months ago, the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde were hit by torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin. Within hours, streets turned into raging torrents, sweeping away everything in their path.Thousands of homes and critical infrastructure were destroyed or severely damaged. Without strong national and international solidarity, and a rapid, coordinated response, many affected families would not have been able to cope with the impact.In Bela Vista, one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Covada de Bruxa in São Vicente, the visible signs of the floods have slowly faded, but the invisible scars remain.Beyond the appearance of a return to normalcy, thousands of families continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of the disaster, struggling each day to rebuild their lives and restore their dignity.“When the flooding began, I wasn’t at home,” recalls Vera Lucia Andrade, a mother of six and a street vendor. “I ran back to try to save my child, who had stayed behind, and a few belongings, but the water was already everywhere.”A vital emergency responseIn the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Cape Verde Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, sprang into action. Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside local authorities to assist affected communities.The IFRC launched anemergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs and mobilized 565,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in assisting those affected. Specialized teams, including Emergency Response Units (ERUs), were also deployed to strengthen the response.So far, more than 1,000 families have received assistance, including food kits and essential household items, while over 470 families have benefited from health support. Hygiene promotion activities have also reached more than 8,400 people, helping communities safeguard their health and well-being.Supporting the recovery of the most vulnerable familiesAs the emergency phase gradually transitions to recovery, efforts are now focused on restoring livelihoods. Some 580 households in São Vicente and Santo Antão have begun receiving cash assistance of 26,000 Cape Verdean escudos (CVE), or 235 euros, to help meet their basic needs.For Vera Lucia, head of household, this support is vital.“I truly appreciate the support from the Red Cross,”she says. “As a street vendor, I had not been able to work since the floods. With the money I received, I will be able to restart and expand my small business and provide for my family. I also hope later to build a protective wall behind my house to better withstand future floods.”Beyond cash assistance, the Cape Verde Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, is also helping to rehabilitate community water supply systems severely damaged by the floods in Santo Antão. Restoring these infrastructures is essential to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases and strengthen community resilience.“Here in Ribeira Da Cruz, people rely for potable water from the spring water catchment which has hardly affected,”says Vincenzo Buccheri, Team Leader of the ERU Water Supply Rehabilitation. “Thanks to our Cash for Work program, the community is rehabilitating infrastructure without the need for external contractors,”“We provide the materials, while residents, 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women, carry out the work themselves. This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also ensures sustainable ownership of the infrastructure.”Maintaining the momentum of solidarityFor Julio Mondlane, IFRC Operations Manager in Cape Verde, transitioning from emergency response to recovery requires sustained commitment.“The emergency response met the immediate needs of many communities,”he says. “Now, our priority is to help families recover sustainably and restore their livelihoods, while strengthening the Country Early Warning Early Actions Systems. This takes time, resources, and continued support from donors and partners. Without it, the most vulnerable communities risk remaining trapped in the crisis.”

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.”

Bangladesh: After the storm, hope is growing thanks to support for livelihoods and shelter

A private tutor by profession, Shanjeet has always depended on his students to make ends meet and he’s always struggled to meet basic living costs with his limited earnings.And that was before the cyclone tore up nearly everything he owned and depended on to make a living. Like many, Shanjeet lost everything when Cyclone Remal hit his village in May 2024. His house, trees, books, tubewell, and latrine were all washed away.“It was a horrible, sleepless night,”he recalls. “I was at the cyclone shelter. When I returned the next morning, I found knee-deep water all around. My house was destroyed. My favourite books were floating in the muddy water. The old mango tree in my yard, where I used to teach my students, had fallen right on top of my house.”But now around him, new hope is growing. As Shanjeet was speaking these words, a Red Crescent Youth volunteer was planting a new mango tree in the same spot where the old one once stood.It’s a powerful symbol of renewal and hope that comes thanks to the IFRC Remal Recovery Initiative being implemented by the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society. With support from that initiative, Shanjeet was able to build an entirely new shelter and latrine, as well as improve his livelihood.Since he depends on teaching for a living, Shanjeet used his livelihood support to buy stationery items like exercise books, pens, and other supplies.“I had no income for months after the cyclone. Now my students are back, and I have a small shop supported by Red Crescent where I earn extra by selling stationery to them,” said Shanjeet.“I’m slowly stepping into a new life I never imagined. I enjoy spending time with my students, who are mostly children. At the same time, I am trying to stay strong, because who knows when the next cyclone or disaster might come. But this time, I want to be more prepared.”Rebuilding homes and dignity: The story of Khalil and TaslimaIn Saudkhali village of Indurkani sub-district, a similar story is unfolding. 60-year-old Khalil and his wife Taslima are among the many people who are also participating in the recovery project.Their village is located beside the Bageshwari River, which flows into to the Bay of Bengal. The community was severely impacted by Cyclone Remal, which destroyed hundreds of shelters, sanitation facilities, and sources of livelihood.Khalil is physically challenged, and the family depends on the income of his wife, who works as a domestic worker in different houses in the village. Her earnings are far below the living wage, and they always struggled to meet their basic needs. They had a very small house, which was destroyed and washed away during the cyclone.When Khalil spoke about his current situation in front of his new house, supported under the IFRC initiative, the happiness and smile on his face were priceless.“I am very happy!” he says with a smile. “I got cattle, chickens, ducks, a new house, and a latrine. I don’t know how to describe the peace we feel now.”“We haven’t started earning yet because the chickens are yet to produce eggs, but for the first time in my life, I will be able to earn some income.”Stories of recovery across the cyclone-impacted areasWith support from the IFRC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Cyclone recovery operation, stories like this one are being repeated throughout the areas impacted by the cyclone. Individual people and families have received cash support that allows them to address their specific needs within various categories.Under this initiative, for example, families have received 85,000 Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) for shelter (the equivalent of $US 695), BDT 25,000 ($US 205) for building or repairing latrines, and BDT 35,000 ($US 286) to rebuild their livelihoods.To benefit from the support for income-generating activities, each family submitted a written request for their preferred livelihood support option, based on their expertise, location, circumstances, available time, and family needs.At the time of this publication:• 192 families received livestock (cows and goats),• 12 families received support for chicken farming,• 23 families were supported to start small businesses (such as shops and tailoring), 36 families received boats and fishing equipment, and• 17 families received vans.In Pirojpur and Khulna, two heavily impacted areas, a total of 535 affected families have been supported with construction or repair of latrines as part of water, sanitation and hygiene support and shelter rebuilding. In addition to household support, the recovery efforts included the installation of new tubewells.Story by Shameul Islam Shovon, with editing by Raqibul AlamRead more stories about IFRC and Bangladesh Red Crescent Cyclone Remal recovery:Bangladesh: One year after the cyclone, a new home and a new juice cart brings family new hope

Crisis to Resilience: Supporting Mongolia’s herder families one year on

Ulaanbaatar/Beijing/Kuala Lumpur, 7 July 2025 —One year after Mongolia’s harshest winter in nearly half a century, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) mark the end of a major humanitarian operation supported by an IFRC international emergency appeal.The operation has not only delivered critical life-sustaining assistance to over 25,000 people across 21 provinces but also supported the community to build long-term resilience to growing climate-related challenges.The winter that began in late 2023 saw a devastating Dzud -a severe, slow-onset cold winter condition where heavy snow and ice cover the ground, preventing animals from accessing pasture, causing widespread animal deaths.By June 2024, more than 8 million livestock had perished, some 12.5 per cent of livestock in the country according toofficial figures, threatening not only herders’ food source but also the main source of income for thousands of families.Life-saving support in the depth of winterUransaikhan, 68, and her 70-year-old husband in Sukhbaatar province have endured Mongolia’s harsh winters since the 1990s, yet last year’s Dzud tested them like never before. She recalled the daily anxiety and desperation of checking on her animals every morning.“Our animals were starving--I fed them boiled tea because we had nothing else”. At one point, snow sealed theirger - traditional Mongolian house- shut, and her husband had to lift her through the roof so she could dig them out. By spring, they had lost over two-thirds of their livestock.From the earliest signs of crisis in December 2023, the Mongolia Red Cross Society (MRCS) mobilized over 900 trained volunteers to reach over 5,000 herder households across 21 provinces.Through the CHF2.7 million Emergency Appeal which the IFRC launched together with MRCS, animal care kits enabled herders to protect their remaining livestock, and with multipurpose cash, they bought food, fuel and animal hay and fodder.As the disaster posed a profound psychosocial toll on the affected herders, the operation also delivered Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), reaching 11,350 people and enabled 12 permanent MHPSS counseling stations along with essential training for MRCS staff and volunteers.Surveys showed that the majority of households were satisfied with the overall assistance. “The cash and items were so helpful. You couldn’t imagine how grateful I am,” Uransaikhan said. Under the cash programme and with the animal care kits, herder families including Uransaikhan were able to buy fuel and food to survive the worst weeks and protect their remaining animals.In addition, IFRC mobilised 7 IFRC surge experts to provide technical support to the MRCS in ensuring the high-quality delivery of the planned interventions and going deep into the hardest-hit fields to help strengthen the MRCS capacity to respond to the disaster.From recovery to long-term adaptation: Building a climate-resilient future“Dzud is a disaster that touches every part of a herder’s life,” said Bolormaa Nordov, Secretary General of the MRCS.“We witnessed Dzud happen more frequently from one time in ten years to every two to three years. Our goal was to provide emergency aid to help herders survive this disaster, regain livelihood and strengthen long-term resilience and adaptation.”As the weather transitioned, this operation continued with a focus toward recovery and building herder families’ resilience. By spring 2025, 30 animal winter shelters along with sanitation facilities were built, supporting 126 herders to better protect their livestock. Through income diversification and small business grants, the IFRC and MRCS helped herders generate different streams of income.While the operation has concluded, the commitment to long-term recovery and climate preparedness remains strong. The 2023-2024 Dzud underscored the severe challenges climate change poses.Looking ahead, the MRCS, with the IFRC support, is working on a Climate Resilience Strategic Framework 2025–2032 to proactively reduce climate risks and strengthen community-led adaptation and response capacity.“Even in the harshest landscapes, we saw immense generosity, strength, and spirit of mutual support, even when people endured so much loss,”said Olga Dzhumaeva, Head of the IFRC East Asia Delegation. “Our focus will be on long-term climate adaptation through early warning systems, diversified and resilient livelihoods, and innovative climate-smart solutions. Working with the MRCS, we will continue to strengthen community resilience and secure a sustainable future.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Beijing:Kexuan Tong,+86 13147812269In Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances,+60 19 271 3641In Geneva:Scott Craig: +41 76 370 3575

Eswatini: How cash and voucher assistance is empowering women to rebuild after calamity

Even before the floods, life for Banele Mamba was hard enough. But then the floodwaters came and the 31-year-old mother of five had to cope with extensive damage to her family’s home.“Water would seep in through the house,” she says. “I was so worried—especially because I live with chronic illness. I didn’t want the children to get sick from flu, cholera or other diseases.”Banele Mambawas able to fix some of those leaks, make other critical repairs and restock her pantry with support that came in the form of cash and voucher assistance provided by the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.The Red Cross here has been working inpartnership with the IFRC Pretoria Delegation, as part of the EU-funded Pilot Programmatic Partnership (ECHO PPP), to deliver cash and vouchers to people impacted by recent floods.Unlike other forms of relief aid such as food or household supplies, cash transfer and vouchers give people such as Banele the power to decide what her families need most following times of crisis.Delivered through mobile money transfers, both the cash and voucher components are redeemed in cash form. This approach empowers families while also supporting the local economy through increased purchasing at community shops and markets.For Banele Mamba, the flexibility of cash support made a world of difference. She used part of the funds to seal parts of the leaking roof and reinforce the walls to prevent water from seeping in during heavy rains.She also used the cash to buy essential food items and toiletries—products that she previously struggled to afford consistently. In months when the household budget was tight, she was therefore able to avoid borrowing from local money lenders.“We believe that people affected by crises are the best placed to decide their needs,”says Tebukhosi Dlamini, Safe and Inclusive Programming Officer at Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society.While the EU provided funding, the IFRC contributed technical guidance and policy review support to the Eswatini National Society during the planning and implementation of the programme. In doing so, the IFRC Pretoria delegation applied a protection- and gender-sensitive lens across all stages of the programmatic partnership.“By applying protection and gender-sensitive principles, we ensure that women like Banele are not only included but prioritized in the selection processes,”Dlamini added.Putting inclusion into practiceWomen-headed households, survivors of gender-based violence, caregivers of orphaned children, and other at-risk groups were given high priority, recognizing people in these situations often face greater risks and barriers to recovery."Focusing on women and other vulnerable groups is not just about fairness—it’s about effectiveness,”says Boitumelo Phihlela, who works as focal person for protection, gender and inclusion, as well as community engagement and accountability, for the IFRC’s Pretoria Delegation.“When we prioritize those most at risk, we strengthen the entire community’s resilience. Women, in particular, play a vital role in family and community wellbeing, so supporting them directly creates a ripple effect of positive change.“This approach also ensures that protection and dignity are central to our response, which is key to building trust and long-term recovery."The process is guided by inclusive criteria co-developed with the communities,which then participates in applying these standards to all aspects of the initiative.Continued learning and improvement: Key lessons learnedThe cash and voucher assistance programme in Eswatini fits in with larger efforts to continually improve the way the IFRC works with, supports and accompanies communities following crisis.The IFRC Pretoria Delegation and its partners, for example, also use this inclusive mindset – along with cash and voucher assistance – to strengthen long-term resilience local farmers in four other countries in southern Africa (Lesotho, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia).The support also comes in the form of seeds and other agricultural inputs—ensuring communities are not only surviving today but are better prepared for the future.Here are a few of the key takeaways from the IFRC Pretoria delegation’s three-year Programmatic Partnership collaboration.Embed protection, gender and inclusion principles throughout all stages of programme design and implementation —ensuring that the unique needs, risks, and capacities of different groups, particularly women, children, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations, are considered and addressed.Prioritize proactive, inclusive community engagementwhere feedback mechanisms are not only established but also trusted and accessible to all segments of the population.Strengthen the feedback loop by ensuring community input is used to inform and adjust programming. The use of community feedback is needed to shape programming decisions which helps build trust and ensures greater accountability to target populations. In one farming community, for example, people noted that the seeds initially provided were not suited to their local soil and climate conditions, which affected crop growth. Upon hearing this, the Red Cross programme adapted by sourcing and distributing more appropriate seed varieties, improving harvest outcomes and reinforcing the community’s trust that their feedback leads to real changes.“It’s not enough to have feedback systems—we must make them visible, trusted, and use them to shape decisions,” said the IFRC’s Phihlela. “That’s how we build real accountability.”Read more about cash and voucher assistance at the IFRCLearn more about the Programmatic Partnership

Myanmar Earthquakes – 100 Days On

Yangon/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 3 July –A selection of photos isavailable: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~370ee1ab10This Sunday, 6 July, marks 100 days since two powerful earthquakes struck central Myanmar, killing more than 3,700 people, injuring thousands more, and affecting over 1.3 million people.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Myanmar Red Cross Society continue to respond to the devastating impact of the disaster, as it enters a new and critical phase.Red Cross teams are now seeing families begin to return home and restart their lives. But new threats are emerging, and urgent funding is needed to meet recovery needs.The next 100 days will shape how people move from survival to recovery.Spokespeople are available in Myanmar, Kuala Lumpur, and Geneva to mark the 100-day milestone and provide insights into the humanitarian situation and response.Limited interview slots are available on Sunday, 6 July. Spokespeople will also be available throughout the week of July 7.To request an interview or more information, contact: [email protected] Yangon: Swe Zin Myo Win, +95 979 595 6050In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367  Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

Brazil: Red Cross financial aid boosts recovery of thousands of families affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul

A year ago, the world watched in disbelief as the modern city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, was submerged in one of the worst floods in its history. Between 29 April and 4 May 2024, it rained non-stop in the south of the country.Bridges collapsed, roads were washed away and stadiums were covered by water that almost reached the level of traffic lights. Entrances to public transport stations, schools and hospitals were invisible.Just a few weeks later, in June, new rains exacerbated the crisis. In total, more than 2.3 million people were affected, 182 died and more than 422,000 were forced to leave their homes.In the face of this emergency, the IFRC activated anEmergency Appeal, in order to expand the humanitarian response of the Brazilian Red Cross. Thanks to this effort, more than 14,000 people have received humanitarian assistance.As part of its humanitarian response, the Red Cross has distributed hygiene, cleaning and household disinfection items; and facilitated access to health services. In these first 12 months after the emergency:Nearly 5,000 people received comprehensive health care and first aid training.More than 4,500 people received hygiene and cleaning kits, jerrycans to store water and filters to make it safe to drink.About 7,200 people in nine communities received items such as mosquito nets, tarpaulins, solar lamps, kitchen sets, blankets and tool kits to repair homes.In addition, throughout the recovery process, the Red Cross has offered psychosocial support, information to prevent disease and a key service: cash transfers.Cash in hand to decide with autonomyIn times of crisis, every family has different needs. While some prioritise buying food, others need to repair their homes or pay off accumulated debts.This is why cash assistance is so important. Rather than receiving pre-selected items, families can choose where to spend the money based on their most pressing needs. Nobody knows them better than they do.By shopping at local markets, sales are restored and flood-affected businesses are able to purchase new stock and generate employment. This also supports the recovery of the socioeconomic backbone of the communities affected by the disaster.In southern Brazil, the cash transfer program began its pilot phase in July 2024. Priority was given to single-parent households with children under seven years old, the elderly, people with disabilities and/or chronic diseases, families affected by the floods in Porto Alegre and the metropolitan area, as well as in the Serra area.The articulation of the IFRC team deployed for the immediate response with the Brazilian Red Cross branches has been fundamental to reach the most vulnerable families, strengthen the capacities of local volunteers and move towards the recovery of the affected populations.‘An important aspect of this flood response operation in Rio Grande do Sul is our close collaboration with the Red Cross to identify local partners,’ comments Roxana Trigo Ballivian, IFRC Operations Manager for the emergency.‘One example is the Women in Construction Institute, a local NGO that identified women heads of households affected by the floods in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre.’Thanks to the Red Cross's relationship with community actors, collaborating with this organisation's leaders enabled 215 households headed by women in Canoas to receive monetary assistance.To date,over 4,800 people have received financial assistance to meet their most urgent needs.How do families invest financial assistance?The families who receive assistance are free to decide how to use it. The Red Cross only maintains contact with them to receive recommendations on future deliveries, improve the experience of communities using our services, and ensure they are not exposed to any risks as a result of receiving this assistance.Six months after implementing this programme, we anonymously asked about the main uses of the money received. The majority of families invested in purchasing food and water, making home repairs, buying furniture, paying for basic services and paying off debts.Other expenses included buying clothes, medicines and hygiene products, paying rent, sending remittances to relatives and funeral costs."Cash assistance is an innovative approach that, in addition to being a practical solution, promotes personal autonomy while empowering communities and reviving local markets," explains Trigo.If you would like to learn more about how cash assistance is developed and delivered, we recommend visiting ourcash and voucher assistance page and watching the following video:

Mongolia: Helping herders survive the ‘Iron Dzud’

The sun shone high in the sky over the vast grasslands of Sukhbaatar province, Eastern Mongolia, as 54-year-oldAltantuya Damdinsuren and her elder sister Ochirbat Damdinsuren received members of the Red Cross with wide smiles.Inside their ‘ger’ (the name for a traditional Mongolian dwelling), they were busy cooking mutton dumplings and hot bone broth for their visitors, all sourced from their very own herd. It is Mongolian custom to offer a lot of food, sweets, and drinks to visitors.The Mongolian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) were there to visit withthe two sisters to see how they are doing one year after a long period of extreme cold one year ago devastated local herding families.Their visit was part of an effort to assesshow well people are recovering after receiving critical Red Cross assistance, including cash, animal kits, hay, fodder, psychosocial support and more.Among theoffered dishes was a bowl of homemade milk cheese, taken from the first milk of their cow after newborn calf had been fed. The animals of Mongolian herders are more than just a source of sustenance — they are companions for life. Herder families help their animals live, eat, give birth, survive the cold, traverse the vast landscape, and remain healthy.On top of a side table were two large plates of what appeared to be homegrown grass, cultivated by the two sisters.Altantuya picks them up and says, “These are for my animals.”Recovering from devastating lossSuch intimate care of livestock is normal here, but it has been especially critical recently as communities recovered from last year’s extreme cold weather (locally known as a ‘dzud’) that unfolded one year ago. Throughout Mongolia, over 180,000 herder households were severely affected by the dzud. By July2024, over 8 million livestock, or 12.5 per cent of the overall livestock in Mongolia had tragically perished, according to Mongolian Red Cross.This dramatic loss triggeredwidespread food insecurity, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, reducing the production of staple meat and dairy products dramatically, driving up prices, and disrupted supply chains. Meanwhile, heavy snowfall severely limited the herder’s access to markets.The combined effects of increased debt burdens diminished purchasing power and further drove up inflation. Escalating costs for hay and fodder, meanwhile, aggravated the hardships faced by all herding families, but particularly by single-headed households likeAltantuya’s or families with children.“Heads of herder households particularly had difficulties coping with the stress of losing their beloved animals,”says Dr. Gantulga Batbyamba,Director of the Health Department for the Mongolian Red Cross Society. “Livestock loss negatively impacts their mental health, and thisthem feeling hopeless and stressed for their future."In addition, heavy snows that accompanied the extreme cold meant that grown children living in nearby cities, or younger children in weekday boarding schools, could not return home for long periods.”Altantuya herselflost almost 400 livestock from her precious herd of horse, goat, sheep, and cattle. Only about 100 animals including newborns, now remain in her care, and her main source of income has always been largely from livestock — she also receives pension from the state.To cope with this huge loss of livelihood since last year’s dzud, Altantuya has taken two separate loans — one from a bank and the other against her pension.Mongolian Red CrossSocietyresponseTo help people likeAltantuya recover from this devastation blow, the Mongolian Red Cross has been working alongside herder communities when the dzud hit. One of the very first things it did was to provide animal care kits and multipurpose cash for herder households.ForAltantuya (and more than80 per cent of the families surveyed), that cash became a lifeline. A significant portion wasspent quickly on extra hay, fodder, and nutrition to keep their animals alive.Much of this support was made possible by resources mobilized through a global IFRCEmergency Appeal, and these funds went towards providing cash to households in need, animal care kits, and support aimed at helping people deal with the mental health and psychological impacts of the disaster.Within the animal care kits are fish oil, hoof and eye ointment, powdered vitamins and salt licks, which helped her animals survive the harsh weather. The Mongolian Red Cross also gave food to families who did not have sufficient resources to adequately prepare their own meals.“Hay and fodder are the most valuable assistance to us,”Altantuya says. “It allows us to help our animals survive.”Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) have also been critical. MRCS conducted extensive outreach on psychosocial first aid, home visits to herder families, and in-person visits to soum centres (districts) and held activities in boarding schools to support children separated from their families. They also set up a local hotline for online and remote support, as well as disseminated key messages on mental health to many communities.As herder families live in far-flung and extremely remote areas, home visits along with mental health care, as well as regular phone calls from Red Cross staff, have been a great relief indeed, says Dr Gantulga, adding that IFRC surge support for mental health and psychosocial support trainings have allowed the Mongolian Red Cross to strengthen MHPSS and psychological first aid skills for staff and volunteers.WhileAltantuyashrugs off her difficulties, her elder sister Ochirbat notes that life during winter in Mongolia is never easy, and it’s even harder during an extremely cold weather.“When it gets very cold, we have to make sure the animals don’t lie down even for a while in the cold; they will not be able to get back up again and will freeze to death,”she says. “My sister physicallypushes or pulls them back up to make them stand and continue standing by themselves.”One year after the 2024 dzud, the Mongolian Red Cross Society and the IFRC continuing to help herder households to get back on their feet, delivering critical humanitarian assistance and services to families and to many others in need. For herder families like Altantuya and her sister, the only hope after such events is to rebuild their herd and start again.By Rachel Punitha, IFRC Senior Communications Officer, Asia Pacific Region

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

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

Nepal floods: ‘I just want a safe place to live.’

A 75-year-old independent farmer, Gopi Lal Sapkota has spent his whole life caring for livestock and cultivating his land. On this small tract of land, he and his wife raised six sons, all of whom are now adults.Now, everything the couple owned — their house, the supply shed, and years’ worth of harvest that he had stored — are buried under layers of mud and rock.“It felt like the entire hill broke down and fell above us,” he said, his eyes reflecting the fear he felt that day.Amid the scattered rubble and debris, it’s hard to imagine this scene of destruction was once filled with lush, green plants and trees. The floods didn’t just wash away the topsoil needed to grow crops, they also destroyed hundreds of homes.A mother of two, Asha recalls the day when flash flood came, leaving her family with only the clothes on their back. Her husband, who worked in a nearby mine, was injured while desperately trying to escape the rising waters.The mine is now closed, and Asha worries about how long it will be before her husband can return to work, given his condition and the fact that medical attention is kilometers away over badly damaged roads.The road to recoveryTo help people like Asha and her husband, the Nepal Red Cross Society is providing a wide range of support, backed by the IFRC and numerous other Red Cross National Societies from around the world. A key element of that support is small cash grants that gives people flexibility to get the supplies they need to sustain their families and start to rebuild. With the support of an emergency allocation from IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the cash support is being distributed by the Nepal Red Cross Society and other Red Cross National Societies from the United Kingdom, The United States, Denmark, Switzerland, Singapore and Finland.As one of the people receiving multi-purpose cash support, Asha feels overwhelmed by the many responsibilities on her shoulders — with two small children to care for and her husband in the hospital.“I plan to use the funds for my husband’s medical attention; that’s what we need the most now,” she says.A married couple who tragically lost their 12-year-old eldest son in the flash flood, Bodh and Binda then had to search through the rubble to see if anything from their home could be salvaged.“The 15,000 rupee support means a lot to us because right now we are unable to cover our rent,” Binda adds. “Receiving cash allows us to spend on what we truly need, such as buying rice and hiring labour to dig out our belonging buried under the rocks.”Rehabilitating water systemsThe Red Cross is also helping communities repair damaged water and sanitation systems, or create new, safe water sources and hygiene facilities.This supportis expected to rehabilitate 100 water systems in six districts that benefit over 30,000 people.In one village, for example, they helped build a temporary reservoir that holds around 5,000 litres of water to support the daily water supply for about 25 nearby households.Red Cross teams are also promoting good health and sanitation practices to help people reduce the risk of infectious, water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.Meanwhile, people face an uncertain future, and the government has recommended that many families to relocate as the area is no longer safe.75-year old farmer Gopi Lal Sapkota is not sure what path to take. “My wife still cries thinking about all that we have lost. I do not know who will cultivate my remaining land if I also leave? Where will I go?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Flooding in Nigeria: ‘When the floods come again, we will be better prepared.’

In the Ivrogbo-iri community in Nigeria’s Delta State, Blessing Emeldi lived happily with her children, farming and selling cassava, yams and bananas. That was until devastating floods in 2022 washed away her farm and all her precious crops.“It was a shock, and I felt helpless,” says Blessing, recounting how the floods robbed her of her only source of livelihood. “I struggled to pay my children’s school fees.”Many parts of Delta Stateare prone to seasonal flooding, butthe floods in 2022 were particularly bad and caused widespread devastation. With IFRC support through an anticipatory allocation from the IFRC-DREF fund, followed by an emergency appeal, theNigerian Red Cross Society and its partners provided a wide range of assistance, including multi-purpose cash grants.People such as Blessing could use those cash grants to meet a variety of needs."The cash helped me buy food and basic needs, and I was able to start a firewood business to pay my children’s school fees. Things have gotten better."The cash grants were just a part of the Nigerian Red Cross response. They also provided help with shelter, health services, protection of people in vulnerable situations, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene support. The goal is to both address urgent needs and promote resilience among those most impacted by the inundations.Accessible Clean WaterThe Nigerian Red Cross also helped establish new water points so people in the communities could access clean, safe water. This enabled girls, who are usually responsible for collecting water for their families, to focus on their school.Juliet and Constance Elorghor are 14 and 9-year-old sisters recount the difficulties they faced before the water points were built."Before, we carried basins for very long distances to the river or fetched water from a communal well,” Juliet recalls, as her sister, Constance, nods in agreement.“It was hard, and I often went to school late or missed school, because water was scarce, and the queues were long. We also often fell sick because the water was dirty."“It was worse during the floods because our well was filled with dirty water and our river too. We faced water scarcity, and it was a hard time,” she continues."Now, with the water points close to my house, we don't go to school late anymore, and we don't fall sick because the water is clean. The Red Cross even gave us jerry cans and buckets with lids that make fetching and storing water better."Rebuilding strongerThe Nigerian Red Cross also restored homes destroyed by the floods, which helped families recover and prepare them for the future.In Araya community, Gladys Ajiri, a mother of six whose home was destroyed by the floods, spoke about how hard it was for them to be displaced."My previous house was made of mud and was easily washed away by the floods. We had nowhere to go and suffered greatly, living on the good will from neighbors," Gladys recalls. "The Red Cross helped build this beautiful concrete house for us. My children are safe now, and I am grateful for this kindness."Josephine Onogomohor and Miriam Abide are widows whose homes were also destroyed by the floods and rebuilt by the Nigerian Red Cross. Also receiving multi-purpose cash assistance, Miriam, who lost all her shop items to the floods, used it to restart her business in front of her newly rebuilt home."I was given money in this card, and my destroyed house was rebuilt. Now I have started selling my small provisions again to keep me going. This kind of help, I have never seen before. There was no one to help me, but the Red Cross came to my aid. I am forever grateful," Miriam said. "When the floods come again, we are better prepared."

Stories of resilience in Türkiye: Rebuilding livelihoods after the earthquakes

Before the devastating earthquakes that shook Türkiye on 6 February, 2023, Döndü Karabörk made a good living by operating a glassware store in Kahramanmaraş province.But then came the earthquakes.By the time the ground stopped shaking, the glassware store — and most of the delicate objects inside — were destroyed. Everything she had worked for seemed to be completely and permanently shattered.“We were about to restart working, but we didn't have capital,” she recalls. “I was feeling down.”Fortunately, Döndü had a chance to put the pieces of her business back together.With support from the Turkish Red Crescent and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Döndü received a cash grant that she used to buy the products needed to reopen and revive her shop."That grant of 30,000 Turkish Lira (CHF 1,000) was very precious to us,” she says. “It was the reason I was able to take my first step back up again."Döndü was later granted another TRY 15,000 (CHF 500) for additional livelihood support. “We went shopping again to buy more products,”she recalls. “Now I'll be able to work more comfortably. Even though the support was small, it was still a very big push for me.”Rebuilding togetherDöndü’s story is far from unique. The earthquakes not only caused widespread destruction — claiming over 55,000 lives, and displacing millions of people — it also destroyed thousands of businesses. Many thousands of people lost their only means of earning income.In a region where agriculture, farming, and labor make up a significant portion of the economy, the impact was particularly severe, affecting over 25 percent of the population. Since then, people have been in the process of rebuilding their lives, a journey that will take several years.The Turkish Red Crescent and the IFRC have been at the forefront of earthquake-response efforts, which have included financial support to help people meet their immediate needs as well as their long-term, livelihood-recovery goals. This support includes grants for micro and small enterprises, rehabilitation of livestock and agricultural areas, and the repair of damaged infrastructure.The IFRC launched anEmergency Appeal for Türkiye in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes in order to raise CHF 400 million to support people's immediate and long-term needs. Thanks to contributions from numerous donors, recovery support is being provided so that the affected people can get back on their feet.From farmers to craftspeopleThe first phase of the plan supported 607 micro and small enterprises from November 2023 until early 2024. This included craftspeople and artists, with an average cash transfer of TRY 40,000 (CHF 1,300) per person. The livelihoods recovery support has just entered its second phase and will continue until February 2025.“We went through a challenging period both mentally and financially,” said Ökkeş İnce, a carpenter whose house and workshop in Kahramanmaraş were badly damaged. “It was very tough. But we couldn't leave this place.”"I said, ‘Life goes on,’ and started rebuilding our life. We cleared the debris in our workshop and started trying to repair it.” Ökkeş specializes in handcrafted wood carving, producing furniture and accessories.He used the cash grant to purchase the machinery and equipment needed to revitalize his business.Taking care of the landMeanwhile, cash transfers from the Turkish Red Crescent andthe IFRC have helped more than 860 agricultural and livestock farmers who received payments in two installments. Each person received an average of TRY 30,000 (CHF 1,000).“After the earthquakes, I did not give up. I continued to take care of my land,” said Ali Öztürk, a farmer from Gaziantep province.Ali’s barn collapsed before his eyes during the earthquakes and his tractor was destroyed. Despite the challenges, he remained determined to continue farming. With the livelihoods cash grant, he purchased agricultural supplies to maintain his olive and grape crops.“The Turkish Red Crescent and the IFRC provided me with cash support twice," he said. "I first bought fertilizers that I used in the field, then I bought pesticides.” Ali underlines that he still needs financial aid to put his business back on track because he is having difficulty buying some basic items, such as agricultural pesticides. “Buying diesel is what puts us in trouble,” he says.A positive impactA study conducted among earthquake survivors, who were supported in the first phase, revealed the positive impact of Livelihood Recovery Programme. A majority of participants expressed satisfaction with the support received.According to the study, cash assistance was highly preferred over in-kind assistance because people were able to choose for themselves the kind of materials and supplies they needed most. Almost all of those involved say they used the money to purchase equipment, raw materials or machinery. Among farmers, 79 percent reported positive changes in their businesses and operations. For micro and small enterprises, that figure 90 percent.However, the study also highlighted that some recipients felt the amount of cash was insufficient to fully meet their needs, underscoring the necessity for expanded interventions in the upcoming phase.In the second phase of the programme, the Turkish Red Crescent and the IFRC are looking to assist 4,000 micro and small enterprises and 2,000 farmers.Highly vulnerable womenmicro and small enterprises and youngmicro and small enterprisesaged 18-30 will receive TRY 80,000(CHF2,219), those in the manufacturing/production sector will receive TRY 70,000(CHF1,941), and those in the retail/service sectors will receive TRY 50,000(CHF1,386),

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day: How humanitarian principles help keep humanity alive during times of division in Myanmar

Dr. Chaw Khin was only in fifth grade when she took part in first aid training sponsored by the Myanmar Red Cross Society, laying the foundation for a lifelong dedication to the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.Later, during her university years, she began actively engaging in Red Cross activities within her community.Now, aged 66, Dr. Chaw serves as the chair of the Magway Region Red Cross Supervisory Committee. Her transparent approach and emphasis on the Fundamental Principles haspaved the way for effective response in a time of uncertainty and recurring crises.In February 2021, the political and humanitarian landscape drastically changed in Myanmar. Already dealing with the continued impact of COVID-19 and harsh economic conditions, the Magway Region was then affected by clashes between various factions, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.Undeterred, Dr. Chaw navigated the complex environment, conducting dissemination sessions on humanitarianprinciples in order to build trust with people affectedby these crises, as well as all other groups, organizations and agencies involved.A critical foundation, says Dr. Chaw, has been the principle of Independence, which means the Red Cross only focuses on its mandate to help people in need and is not part of any particular group’s agenda.“It’s important to continuously promote and emphasize the independence of the Myanmar Red Cross in all and any form of engagement with all partners, whether formal or informal,” Dr. Chaw says.This is particularly important when various sectors of the community do not trust each other. “Advocacy to local authorities and community has led to increased acceptance in most of the Magway region, but some areas still experience hatred between different sides in the conflict,” she says.That distrust and division is one reason thatACAPS, an organization that seeks to help humanitarians make informed decisions, has categorizedMyanmar as one of five countries globally in “extremely severe constraints" in terms of humanitarian access.Those difficulties also affectthe Myanmar Red Cross, and this is why Dr. Chaw’s transparent and persistent negotiations and dialoguewith numerous groups and communitiesare so important.Supporting the volunteersAsMyanmar Red Cross volunteers are part of the communities they serve, this unrest and upheaval affected them too. Many were displaced from their townships.Dr. Khin made it a priority to keep in touch with her volunteers and ensure they were given as much support as possible.The maintenance of volunteer registration cards, a process she diligently oversaw as a leader, ensured continued support for the volunteers, even in new and challenging circumstances.From pandemic to stormsThe true impact of Dr. Chaw 's leadership unfolded during relief distributions to vulnerable communities. During the pandemic, she served as chair of the COVID-19 Response Committee in Magway Region. In that role, she helped establish strong community relationships and gained the trust of local authorities.In May 2023, Cyclone Mocha – tied with 2019’s Cyclone Fani as the strongest ever recorded in the north Indian Ocean - wreaked havoc in the western and northwestern parts of Myanmar, bringing new misery to struggling communities.During all these challenges, Dr. Chaw played a crucial role in ensuring equitable community access to health, water, sanitation, and education services.Humbled by her experiences, she is full of praise for the Myanmar Red Cross Society and thevolunteers of the Magway Red Cross branch, for everything they do to keep humanity alive.By Swe Zin Myo WinPhotos: Khaing Wai Aung and Htun Kyaw, Myanmar Red Cross Society

Dr. Fatma Meriç Yilmaz: ‘Regardless of culture, country, creed, language or religion,’ ensuring everyone has a seat at the table

As the first female president of the Turkish Red Crescent, Dr. Fatma Meriç Yilmaz talks about her National Society’s role in supporting one of the world’s largest refugee populations and in running the world’s most ambitious humanitarian cash assistance programmes. She also discusses the continuing impacts from the earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria in Feb 2023. As a champion of women in humanitarian leadership in Türkiye and globally, shetalks about the significant gains made in recent years and what still needs to be done to ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

Cash assistance: ‘Today, I see a brighter future for my daughters’

For several years now, the Far North region of Cameroon has been facing the effects of climate change, characterized by droughts, seasonal disruptions and recurrent flooding, with disastrous consequences for agriculture, livestock farming and even access to supply centres and markets, among other challenges. This situation has led to a further deterioration in the economic situation of local households.In addition to the effects of climate change, there are social tensions marked by inter-community conflicts and grievances, as well as the presence of non-state armed groups. Over the last ten years, these factors have created a situation of insecurity, leading to population movements and, for many, the loss of loved ones."I lost my husband a few years ago,” says Soumaïra, who lives with her children in the village of Ndoukoula, in the Far North region of Cameroon. "I was 13 when we got married. A few years later I gave birth to our first daughter. My husband took good care of us. His job was to rear the herds of important local men, and he was also responsible for selling them.“One day, as he was returning from a village on the border with Nigeria to sell the animals of one of his bosses, he was killed in an attack. I had only just given birth to our second daughter, and I was already a widow with two children to support.”A new lease on life through cash assistanceHaving lost her parents when she was less than 10 years old, and facing a precarious situation, Soumaîra was taken in by the village chief, who tries as hard as he can to look after her and her daughters."One day, as I was going about my daily chores, I was approached by Red Cross volunteers and some members of my community", she recalls. "They told me they wanted to collect information about me to see if I was eligible for any further financial assistance to help me meet my family's immediate needs."It turns out that Soumaïra’s village is one of eight targeted by the programmatic partnership between the IFRC, the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) and the French Red Cross in Cameroon.As part of the second phase of the partnership's operations in the region, 1,000 households in the Far North region have been receiving cash assistance since January 2024. The cash grants were made to respond to the most urgent basic needs of the population in this region, following armed violence, the impacts of climate change and the residual and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic."I told them everything they wanted to know and I was confident of being selected, which I was. Some time later, they explained to me that I would receive 64,000 Central African Francs (around 91 Swiss francs) in three instalments. With this money, I could buy a few important items for the house, have my children looked after if they were ever ill, and with the rest, if I wanted to, start a small business.“Today I received my first financial allowance and I'm so happy. With this money, I'm going to buy millet and other food to feed my children. I'm also going to start raising livestock and trading for a living. It's a process that will continue with the other funds I receive. I will be able to take care of my daughters' school needs and fight to make a difference to their lives.“Today Icansee abrighterfuture for my daughters.”In addition to the cash assistance, the Cameroon Red Cross is sharing community awareness messages on how best to prepare for and respond to epidemics and disasters, as well as on risk communication and community engagement.

Hunger crisis: ‘Now I can take care of my own family’

In the Lubombo region of Eswatini, near the town of Big Bend, 39-year-old Bongani Masuku looks over at his field of maize. He just harvested a section last week. “But there is still work to do,” Bongani says and starts working the land. Lubombo is one of the hottest areas in Eswatini. As Bongani weeds his field, the temperature has already risen to over 34 degrees. “I remove the weeds so that my maize will grow properly,” he says. “If I let the weeds take over, the seedlings would grow to be very thin and not offer good harvest.” Earlier in the season, Bongani attended an agricultural training, after which he received a cash grant of around 70 euros. He invested the money in maize seeds that are more resilient to drought, as climate change has made rains more irregular and increased drought. Around 70 per cent of Eswatini’s population are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood. This is why the changing weather conditions are extremely concerning. “The recent heatwaves have really made farming more difficult. The maize should not receive too much sunlight when it is blooming. Rain is important at that stage. The last time the maize was in bloom there was no rain at all, so my harvest was smaller than I expected.” The maize field has a great significance to Bongani. “This allows me to feed my family, but also to sell some of the crops and get money,” he adds. “This money helps me put my children to school. I have five children with my darling wife. Now I can buy them schoolbooks and other school supplies, like pens. If I make enough money, I can also buy them shoes to wear to school.” Prolonged food insecurity Like elsewhere in Southern Africa, people in Eswatini are suffering from a severe and prolonged food security crisis that began in 2015. The drought caused by the El Niño phenomenon, further strengthened by climate change and the irregular rains and floods ever since, have damaged harvests year after year. Bongani is one of the 25,500 people included in the three-year project funded by the European Union to improve food security by means of cash assistance. In addition to the Finnish Red Cross, the project includes the Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society and Belgian Red Cross Flanders. For recipients of the cash grants such as Winile Masuku, the cash assistance has meant the ability to buy food such as rice, maize flour and cooking oil at a time when regular food sources are far less plentiful and more expensive. “Before receiving cash assistance, we were dependent on our neighbours,” Winile explains as she sits in front of her home – its walls made of intricately woven branches and stonework. “Now I can take care of my own family.” Gardening for change While not everyone is a farmer, many people in Eswatini grow a portion of their daily sustenance in local community gardens. This is one reason this climate-resilience project also aims to revive the tradition of community gardens. Part of that effort includes trainings from the Ministry of Agriculture on how to most effectively tend community gardens in the face of more extreme climate conditions. After each training, participants get a cash grant of around 35 euros to buy plant seeds, for example. The participants are encouraged to use crop varieties that require less water. “The garden offers stability to my family, as I employ myself with this and take care of my family,” says Sibongile, one of the participants. “The harvest from the garden allows me to feed my family, and I can also sell some crops to get money for my children’s education.” Health in the countryside It’s also important to ensure that people stay healthy as drought and heat can create conditions that exacerbate the spread of diseases and symptoms such as dehydration. For this reason, the EU-funded project also supports the community in epidemic and pandemic preparedness. The Baphalali Eswatini Red Cross Society runs three clinics in the country, and the project supports their capacity to respond to different epidemics, such as diarrhoeal diseases, tuberculosis and HIV. “Each morning we offer health advice, meaning that we tell patients what epidemics are currently ongoing,” explains Phumlile Gina, a nurse at the clinic in Hosea Inkhundla in the Shiselweni region. “Right now we are informing them of vaccinations, especially against the coronavirus and tuberculosis. We also highlight proper hygiene: we explain how important it is to wash your hands and also remind people to wash their water containers every now and then.” “Some of our patients here in the countryside are very poor,” she adds. “They can come to the clinic for some completely other reason, for a flu for example. But we may then notice that the growth of the patient’s child is clearly stunted and there is reason to suspect malnourishment.” “We are able to take care of such situations as well and monitor the condition of the patients. It feels great when a patient comes back to the clinic after six months and says that their child is doing great and playing like other children.” The Programmatic Partnership between the IFRC network and the European Union, provides strategic, flexible, long-term and predictable funding, so that National Societies can act before an emergency occurs. It is being implemented worldwide including 13 countries in Africa.