Time stood still: A humanitarian’s story from ‘Black Wednesday’ in Lebanon

Silent humanitarian crises deepen across Lebanon and Iran

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

IFRC dispatches critical medical supplies from Türkiye to support urgent needs in Iran; calls for scaled up support

Ankara/Geneva, 10 April 2026 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in coordination with the Turkish Red Crescent, is delivering life-saving medical supplies and humanitarian relief items from Türkiye to Iran, as humanitarian needs in the country continue to grow sharply.The operation is underway, with a convoy departing Ankara on Friday April 10, which will proceed through eastern Türkiye and into Iran over the weekend (with timings subject to confirmation). The shipment includes trauma kits designed to provide immediate, life-saving care in critical situations, alongside additional humanitarian supplies including tents, blankets and hygiene items provided by the Turkish Red Crescent.The operation is critical as humanitarian supply chains into Iran have been severely disrupted in recent weeks due to the conflict, making it increasingly difficult and more costly for essential medical and relief items to reach those in need. As a result, the supplies are being transported overland from eastern Türkiye into Iran.The IFRC is mobilising 200 advanced trauma kits for the Iranian Red Crescent, marking one of the first cross-border shipments of medical supplies since the start of the conflict. These trauma kits contain essential equipment to treat serious injuries and stabilise patients, designed to provide immediate, life-saving care in critical situations.The operation highlights how humanitarian supply chains are adapting in real time under significant pressure, with sourcing shifted to Türkiye to prioritise speed and ensure that urgent medical needs can be met. Working through its global network, the IFRC is able to quickly identify suppliers, activate logistics capacity and use available corridors to move aid despite severe constraints.“These trauma kits are used by Iranian Red Crescent rescue teams in the most critical moments, when immediate care can mean the difference between life and death. This shipment is about ensuring that vital support reaches people as quickly as possible, despite the challenges to global supply chains. This aid will save lives, we will continue to scale it up. This operation demonstrates how the IFRC’s supply chain is adapting in real time under immense pressure,” said Cecile Terraz, IFRC Director of Global Humanitarian Services and Supply Chain Management.This coordinated effort with the Turkish Red Crescent highlights the role of the IFRC in mobilising support across borders to respond to urgent humanitarian needs.The IFRC and its partners continue to work closely with national authorities and humanitarian actors to support the delivery of assistance and respond to evolving needs on the ground.With humanitarian needs growing rapidly, the IFRC is calling for urgent international support to its CHF 120 million Emergency Appeal to sustain and scale up life-saving assistance for people affected across Iran.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] At the Türkiye/Iran border:Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575Sevil Erkus, +90 536 644 91 22In Budapest:Nora Peter, +36 70 265 4020

Study: Record downpours that caused lethal landslides in Brazil will worsen with further warming

This is an adaptation by the Climate Centre of a press release issued by World Weather Attribution on 12 March 2026.The landslides that struck the state of Minas Gerais in south-east Brazil last month (pictured) have laid bare the vulnerability of the country’s cities and its coffee industry to an increasingly volatile climate, World Weather Attribution scientists said.The WWA team warn in a new study that this event is a preview of the heavier rainfall expected as global temperatures rise further.It was the wettest month on record in the worst-affected city of Juiz de Fora: 65 people were killed there and over 6,400 were forced from their homes after particularly intense rainfall fell between 22 and 24 February; seven other people more were killed in Uba.Minas Gerais is the heart of Brazil’s coffee industry and the leading producer of arabica beans. After years of extreme weather caused as much as a 20 per cent reduction in output and global spikes in prices, there were hopes for a better harvest this year, but the above-average rainfall is now fueling disease across plantations.While the scientists didn’t find definitive evidence that climate change increased the intensity of rainfall in this event, models do show the strength of these downpours worsening by an estimated 7 per cent as global temperatures rise, but the true number could be higher.Rapid urban growth on steep slopes and floodplains has seen natural vegetation replaced by paved surfaces, reducing water drainage and increasing runoff, they add.‘Early warning systems are thedecisive instrument for saving lives’Pedro Camarinha, Deputy Director at the Brazilian National Center for Monitoring and Early Warning of Natural Disasters, said: “This disaster made clear how extreme rainfall can trigger the consequences of risk that was already known, but insufficiently addressed through preventive public policies.”“Where land-use planning, risk reduction measures, and the protection of exposed communities remain inadequate, early warning systems become the decisive instrument for saving lives.”“Their effectiveness, however, depends on disaster risk being communicated clearly to the population through coordinated action among institutions and with society as a central actor in the system.”“Early warning systems must therefore be better valued and continuously improved, while risk awareness is strengthened among exposed communities and urgent action is taken to reduce exposure and vulnerability.”Regina R. Rodrigues, a professor at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianopolis, added: “Looking to the future, there are clear implications for Brazil’s leaders to ensure people aren’t living in harm’s way as we see more of these events unfold.”“Minas Gerais is the heartbeat of Brazil’s coffee production and this rainfall is another example of the extreme weather it is having to deal with. It’s a reminder that our changing climate is already pushing up prices and disrupting supplies for products people around the world take for granted.”

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

IFRC warns harmful information is putting lives at risk during crises

Geneva, 5 March 2026 – Harmful information is undermining life-saving humanitarian action at a time when disasters are affecting more people, more often, according to the World Disasters Report 2026, released today by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).Between 2020 and 2024, disasters affected nearly 700 million people, caused more than 105 million displacements, and claimed over 270,000 lives – with the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance more than doubling (INFORM Severity index).The World Disasters Report 2026 warns that harmful information and dehumanising narratives are increasingly undermining trust, putting the lives of humanitarian workers and communities at risk. In polarized and politically charged contexts, humanitarian principles such as neutrality and impartiality are increasingly misunderstood, misrepresented or deliberately attacked online.Drawing on evidence from crises across the world, the report emphasises that trust has become one of the most critical, and fragile, assets in humanitarian action.Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General, said:“In every crisis I have witnessed, information is as essential as food, water and shelter. But when information is false, misleading or deliberately manipulated, it can deepen fear, obstruct humanitarian access and cost lives.”Global examples of harmful information in action:Spain: During floods in Valencia, false narratives online accused the Spanish Red Cross of diverting aid to migrants, fuelling xenophobic attacks on volunteers.South Sudan: Rumours that humanitarian agencies were distributing poisoned food caused people to avoid life-saving aid and led to threats against local Red Cross staff, temporarily disrupting operations.Lebanon: Overlapping crises saw false claims that volunteers were spreading COVID-19, favouring certain groups in aid distribution, or providing unsafe cholera vaccines, eroding trust and endangering vulnerable communities.Bangladesh: Despite delivering first aid and assistance across multiple districts during a period of political unrest, volunteers faced widespread accusations of inaction and political alignment, leading to harassment and long-term reputational damage.The report highlights that around 94 per cent of disasters are managed by national authorities and local communities without international assistance. However, while volunteers, local leaders and community media are often the most trusted messengers, they operate in increasingly hostile and polarised information environments.Mr. Chapagain added:“Without trust, people are less likely to prepare, seek help or follow life-saving guidance; with it, communities act together, absorb shocks and recover more effectively. Maintaining trust is not optional – it is a humanitarian necessity.”The World Disasters Report 2026 calls on governments, technology companies, humanitarian agencies, communities and local actors to recognise that trustworthy information is a matter of life and death. Recommendations include:Technology platforms:Prioritise authoritative information from trusted humanitarian, health and local actors in crisis contexts. Provide low-bandwidth, multilingual, and locally relevant tools and transparently moderate harmful content.States and policymakers:Invest in evidence-based regulation and support local data systems that monitor crises and harmful information, strengthening transparency, accountability and an environment that enables principled humanitarian action.Humanitarian agencies:Embed harmful information preparedness into humanitarian operations as a core function, with trained teams, standardised tools, predictive analytics, and strong community engagement to anticipate, detect, and respond to harmful narratives.Communities and local actors:Act as trusted messengers, support digital and media literacy, participate in rumour tracking, and ensure local perspectives shape responses to safeguard access and trust – recognising that communities are central to the solution.The World Disaster Report 2026 is available to policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and the public, providing a roadmap for building resilience to harmful information before, during, and after crises.Note to editors:Link to World Disaster Report 2026Link to Executive SummaryFor more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Geneva:Tommaso De Longa,+41 79 708 4367India Roberts-Smillie,+41 76 372 6251

IFRC calls for stronger regional solidarity as humanitarian needs continue to rise in Asia Pacific

Kuala Lumpur, 29 January 2026: As we conclude our Annual Regional Strategic Coordination Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, one message is unmistakably clear: solidarity across our Red Cross and Red Crescent network has never been more vital. Asia Pacific is the most disaster-affected region in the world. Communities across the region are facing more frequent and severe floods, cyclones and heatwaves, rising displacement, and overlapping vulnerabilities. At the same time, humanitarian needs are growing while funding continues to shrink. This widening gap between needs and resources is placing unprecedented pressure on local responders and the communities they serve.Over the past three days, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies came together to reflect on these realities and look ahead. We discussed regional risks, emerging humanitarian needs, and shared priorities for the year to come. We examined how local Red Cross Red Crescent Societies can better prepare and respond to disasters, how the climate crisis impacts are reshaping humanitarian action, and how Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are increasingly leading responses both at home and in support of sister organisations in other countries.What emerged clearly from these discussions was a shared understanding that no single organisation can meet today’s humanitarian challenges alone: National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies must deepen cooperation within our own global network, while also working closely with like-minded partners. Solidarity: practical, operational, and financial, is the foundation of our collective strength. Helping your neighbours is not humanitarianism; it’s a basic decency. Humanitarianism is helping strangers. That spirit of mutual support across borders defines the Red Cross and Red Crescent, and it will sustain us in the years ahead.Despite mounting pressures, the IFRC network remains committed to being local, everywhere. In many crises, Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff are among the first to respond and the last to leave. Increasingly, they are the only humanitarians still present as others scale down. This reality demands that we work smarter, coordinate better, and ensure limited resources are used where they can have the greatest impact.The IFRC’s Global Plan for 2026 reflects this approach. With a funding requirement of 3.4 billion Swiss francs, it prioritises locally led action, strengthens National Society leadership, and channels most internationally mobilised resources to the national level. Investment in local capacity is not only more cost-effective — it is essential for sustainable humanitarian response.What gives me hope is the strength of this region’s National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Several National Societies that once received international assistance are now leading responses in their own countries and supporting neighbours across borders. This solidarity extends beyond the region, with long-standing partner National Societies continuing to show true comradeship by standing with sister organizations when they need to support most. This is humanitarianism at its best — not saviourism, but shared purpose, grounded in dignity, mutual support and respect for local leadership.As we conclude this meeting, we do so with renewed determination. The challenges ahead are immense, but so is the collective strength of our Red Cross and Red Crescent family. In a time of shrinking resources and growing humanitarian needs, solidarity is not just a commitment — it is how we will continue to deliver for communities across Asia Pacific. We call on like-minded partners to stand with us in this shared endeavour, so that assistance continues to reach those who need it most.Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances +60 19 271 3641

IFRC launches emergency appeal as Sri Lanka faces worst floods in decades

Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 4 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 5 million Emergency Appeal to support the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in responding to catastrophic flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka on 27 November 2025. Bringing torrential rainfall of over 350 mm within 24 hours - a huge amount of rain falling in just one day - in some areas, the cyclone triggered widespread flooding and landslides across all 25 districts, affecting more than 1.46 million people and making it one of the country’s worst disasters in decades.“The scale of this disaster is immense,” said John Entwistle, IFRC Head of Country Cluster Delegation for South Asia, currently in Sri Lanka. “While floodwaters are receding in some areas, humanitarian needs remain critical. People have lost loved ones and homes, and urgently need food, water, shelter, and medical assistance. Over 1.5 million people face food insecurity due to crop losses, disrupted livelihoods, and rising prices. The IFRC appeal will help us deliver life-saving aid now and support recovery for the long road ahead.” Authorities report hundreds of deaths with many people still missing as search and rescue operations continue. More than 230,000 people remain displaced, sheltering in overcrowded safety centres with limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene. Over 20,800 homes have been damaged or destroyed, while severe infrastructure damage—78 roads and 15 bridges impacted, nearly 278,000 buildings inundated, and more than 65,000 power and telecommunications outages—continues to restrict access to affected communities. Flooding remains a serious risk in downstream areas, with river levels in key basins still rising despite reduced rainfall.The IFRC has provided vital technical and financial support to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), enabling the pre-positioning of essential stocks such as shelter materials, hygiene kits, and health supplies in high-risk areas. This support also strengthened preparedness for disasters through Early Action Protocols and climate adaptation.To enable immediate action, IFRC has already released CHF 100,000 from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF), with a further CHF 1 million allocation underway to scale up operations ahead of the full appeal.The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has mobilized more than 3,500 volunteers, who are conducting rapid assessments, supporting evacuations, providing first aid, and distributing safe water, hygiene kits, bedding, and food rations.“Our volunteers are working tirelessly to support communities who have lost everything,” said Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, Secretary General of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. “Urgent needs include cooked food, safe water, medicines, and shelter, but the scale of devastation means sustained support is essential to prevent worsening food insecurity, disease, and poverty.”Essential services have been severely disrupted. Hospitals and health facilities remain flooded or damaged, limiting access to care and disrupting maternal, child, and reproductive health services. Overcrowded evacuation centres are struggling to meet the needs of pregnant and lactating women, older persons, and people with disabilities, while mental-health and psychosocial needs are increasing. Access to safe drinking water remains critically compromised due to damaged and contaminated water systems.The IFRC Emergency Appeal will support emergency shelter, health, water and sanitation, livelihoods, and protection services, while strengthening community resilience to future climate-related shocks.Note to editors:  Visuals from Sri LankaFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575 

Severe flooding across Asia: millions affected – urgent humanitarian response underway

Kuala Lumpur, Geneva 1 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is responding to severe flooding that has affected millions of people across Southeast and South Asia. Countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Viet Nam are reporting widespread devastation, displacement, and urgent humanitarian needs.Intense monsoon rains and climate-driven weather extremes have triggered rapid-onset floods and landslides, destroying homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Families have lost homes and incomes, and thousands are sheltering in evacuation centers. Health risks from waterborne diseases and sanitation challenges are rising, while flooded roads and damaged bridges are cutting off access to essential services.In Indonesia, severe flooding and landslides have impacted 39 districts across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, following high-intensity rains linked to Tropical Cyclone Senyar. Approximately 1.1 million people have been affected, with 290,700 displaced and 435 deaths reported. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has mobilized staff and volunteers to conduct evacuations, provide First Aid, distribute clean water, and operate public kitchens, but access remains difficult and resources are stretched.In Sri Lanka, more than 968,000 people across 25 districts have been affected, with 193 deaths and 228 missing. Over 41,000 families are sheltering in official safety centers, while thousands remain with relatives. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has deployed over 3,500 volunteers to provide First Aid and distribute water, hygiene kits, bedding, and clothing. However, road closures and the risk of secondary landslides continue to hamper relief efforts.In Malaysia and Viet Nam, localized flooding has disrupted transport and essential services, compounding vulnerabilities for communities already facing economic pressures and climate-related shocks. Recovery will be slow and difficult without sustained support.Beyond immediate response, these floods underscore the urgent need for stronger legal and policy frameworks to protect people in disasters. The goal of the ongoing negotiations towards a Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED) aims to establish binding international obligations for disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance. The Philippines and Thailand have played key roles in advancing this treaty, which would help ensure faster, more coordinated support and better protection for vulnerable communities in future crises.“The picture in Southeast Asia shows that you still need even better early warning systems. Even better shelter for people to go to in times of flooding if you're really going to mitigate these risks. Even more nature-based solutions - the planting of trees and mangroves in those places, particularly at risk of flooding to keep people safer. Better social protection systems in disaster so they can immediately get cash and get the food, the medicine, and the shelter they need when a disaster strikes. These are all things that the IFRC is working on and we'll continue to work on in the years to come,” says Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific.Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are on the frontlines of the response, but the scale of needs is growing faster than local capacity. IFRC calls for urgent international support to meet immediate humanitarian needs and help communities rebuild. These floods are a stark reminder that climate-driven disasters are becoming the new normal, and investment in resilience and preparedness is critical.Note to editors:Visuals:Sri LankaThailandViet NamPhilippinesFor 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 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

Beyond the blackouts: Ukraine facing its hardest winter yet, IFRC warns

Kyiv/Budapest/Geneva, 14 November 2025 – This coming winter may be the hardest one in years for many people in Ukraine, warns the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).With savings exhausted, prices soaring, and livelihoods destroyed, millions now face a season where survival depends on the support of others. The Ukrainian Red Cross and the IFRC Network are scaling up their efforts - helping communities prepare before the cold sets in and supporting communities to survive through the hardest months of winter.Last winter, 60 per cent of people surveyed by the Ukrainian Red Cross said that they did not have enough food, and 50 per cent did not have stable access to water, electricity and gas.i“Almost four years of conflict have eroded people’s resources. Many families are entering this winter with no financial buffer – seven out of ten people said they don’t have any savings left,” said Jaime Wah, Deputy Head of Delegation for IFRC in Ukraine.Across Ukraine, frequent power cuts plunge neighbourhoods into darkness, cut heating, and force hospitals onto emergency power. For older people and vulnerable people in high-rise buildings, blackouts can mean hours or days of isolation without elevators, heat, and often without food or medicine.But the impact goes beyond that: shops are closing early, restaurants are losing their food stock, and farmers can’t store what they produce. Prices continue to rise as small businesses are closing, and people are losing their jobs.A plan to keep families warm and safeTo meet the rising needs, the IFRC Network and the Ukrainian Red Cross have launched a 38 million Swiss franc winterization plan that aims to reach nearly half a million people. Red Cross teams are mobilizing to reach vulnerable households across frontline and affected regions, distributing basic items, insulation materials and lighting kits. They are also helping with small repairs and replacing broken windows to keep houses warm.People living in rural areas will receive small grants for agricultural projects and veterinary assistance to help restore their livelihoods. The Red Cross is also assisting with the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure and developing local emergency capacities in communities, so that they are better prepared for the cold months ahead.We have been providing support to people for several years, but our resources are also running thin. The scale of the needs is overwhelming, and with each passing day, those needs only grow. There are still millions who need our help, and we are calling on governments and donors to invest in emergency response and long-term recovery,” said Jaime Wah.Note to editors:Under the IFRC Network’s winterization plan:18,000 people will receive cash assistance to cover essential winter expenses117,000 people will regain access to heat, energy, and clean water29,500 people will be assisted through evacuation and preparedness activities3,310 rural households will benefit from livelihood grants, veterinary assistance, and agricultural training150 communities will be equipped to better respond to emergenciesVisuals: photos and videos available here: LINKAudio: An interview on IFRC News, IFRC’s new weekly news podcast – on help for Ukrainians to prepare for the winter ahead.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Bucharest: Diana Hohol, +40 730 865 106In Budapest: Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367

Kenya: IFRC launches CHF 15 million emergency appeal as climate extremes push millions to the brink

Nairobi, Geneva, 4 November 2025 — Kenya is in the grip of a worsening climate and humanitarian crisis. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a CHF 15 million emergency appeal to help the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) deliver life-saving support to 300,000 people affected by worsening hunger, water shortages, rising malnutrition and disease outbreaks across drought and flood-hit counties.Naemi Heita, IFRC Head of Delegation, Nairobi Country Cluster for Kenya and Somalia, said:“This is a complex emergency that goes beyond drought. Families are grappling with hunger, water scarcity, health risks, and displacement. Kenya Red Cross volunteers are on the frontlines every day, delivering life-saving assistance in some of the hardest-hit areas. Through this appeal, we aim to mobilize resources that not only address immediate needs but also strengthen communities against future climate shocks.”Escalating Humanitarian NeedsAcross Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), home to 16 million people, families are walking for hours each day to find water as rivers and pans dry up. Crops have failed, livestock are dying, and malnutrition rates are soaring among children and pregnant women. In some counties, intense rainfall is now bringing flash floods that destroy what little remains including landslides, while disease outbreaks such as cholera, malaria and Rift Valley Fever continue to spread.Forecasts point to below-average rains in 23 drought-affected counties and above-average rainfall in parts of Turkana and the Lake Basin, threatening further displacement and contamination of scarce water sources. Protection concerns, including gender-based violence and early marriage, are also increasing as families resort to desperate coping strategies. With limited humanitarian funding, health facilities in remote areas struggle to provide basic care, immunisation, and maternal health services.IFRC and Kenya Red Cross ResponseKenya Red Cross has over 262,000 volunteers and 700 staff across all 47 branches. KRCS has been delivering food, cash assistance, clean water, and emergency healthcare to those most in need. The IFRC appeal will boost these efforts, enabling the organisation to expand water trucking, repair and solarise boreholes, treat acute malnutrition, and deploy mobile health and nutrition teams to hard-to-reach areas. It will also support climate-smart agriculture, livestock protection, and livelihood recovery to help families rebuild.On 31 October 2025, heavy rains triggered deadly landslides in Moror and Chesongoch villages in Marakwet East, Elgeyo Marakwet County, killing 26 people, injuring 26, and leaving 25 missing, according to official figures. The landslides displaced 151 households and destroyed homes and vital infrastructure. Despite access challenges, the Kenya Red Cross Society, working with county authorities and other members of the multi-agency response team, evacuated the injured and delivered emergency relief to affected families. Authorities have since warned of further landslides as rainfall continues, compounding an already critical humanitarian situation across the country.KRCS is equally prioritising protection and inclusion, ensuring that women, children, and marginalised groups have safe, equitable access to assistance and that feedback from communities shapes ongoing response efforts.Dr Ahmed Idris, Secretary General, Kenya Red Cross Society, said:“Communities in Kenya’s ASALs are facing overlapping crises: prolonged drought, acute food insecurity, rising malnutrition, and protection risks, while disease outbreaks such as cholera and Rift Valley Fever compound the situation. In some areas, flooding adds further strain. Kenya Red Cross volunteers continue to reach the most vulnerable and hard-to-access areas, ensuring critical assistance gets where it is needed most. This appeal will enable us to scale up life-saving support and strengthen resilience against these multiple shocks.”A Call for Collective ActionThe IFRC and Kenya Red Cross are urging governments, donors, humanitarian agencies, and the private sector to step up support immediately. Every delay deepens the crisis and puts more families in danger. The appeal seeks to ensure that no Kenyan goes hungry, thirsty, or without healthcare as climate extremes intensify.Note to editors: Audiovisual materials of the emergency response are available for download.For more information, please contact: [email protected] NairobiTimothy Maina, +254 110 848 161Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In GenevaTommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67  Scott Craig: +41 76 370 35 75   

Pacific Red Cross Leaders Unite in Fiji to Strengthen Regional Humanitarian Response  

Suva, Fiji, 17 October 2025 – As the Pacific grapples with intensifying climate risks, dwindling humanitarian funding, and rising disaster displacement, Red Cross leaders from across the region have convened in Suva to strengthen disaster preparedness, climate resilience and locally led humanitarian action.Kate Forbes, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) - on her first official visit to the Pacific - joined the meeting, underscoring IFRC's deep commitment to elevating Pacific voices and ensuring the region’s unique challenges are represented in global humanitarian priorities.“The Pacific may be on the frontline of the climate crisis, but it is also on the frontline of resilience, innovation, and hope,” said Forbes during her keynote address. “True humanitarian leadership is grounded in local realities, informed by cultural wisdom, and driven by compassion - not capacity alone.”A key focus of the meeting is the vital role of young people in shaping the future of humanitarian action. Forbes reaffirmed the Red Cross’s commitment not only to include youth in decision-making, but to empower them as leaders in community engagement, climate action, and digital innovation.“We must create spaces for youth to direct their energy and creativity toward building solutions for their communities,” she said. The active participation of Red Cross youth in this meeting highlights the Movement’s dedication to nurturing the next generation of humanitarian leaders.With more than four decades of experience in the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, Forbes is a long-standing champion of transparency, equity, and volunteer-driven impact. As former Chair of the IFRC Audit and Risk Commission, she played a critical role in strengthening accountability and ensuring humanitarian resources reach communities swiftly and responsibly.During her visit, Forbes will meet with volunteers and partners and participate in a community engagement visit to Moala village on 18 October - witnessing firsthand how local Red Cross initiatives are helping build community resilience in the face of overlapping crises.This meeting comes at a pivotal moment for the region, as Pacific communities continue to face more frequent and severe climate-related emergencies, all while operating with limited resources and growing international competition for funding.As Forbes emphasized, “Sustainability is not a luxury; it is a necessity for credibility and continuity of our efforts.” The IFRC remains committed to supporting Pacific National Societies in building strong, sustainable foundations that can meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s uncertainties.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Suva: Seci Burese, +679 9923937In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641

Urgent humanitarian needs remain in Myanmar, over six months after devastating earthquakes – IFRC.

Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 10 October 2025 – Six months after powerful earthquakes struck central Myanmar, thousands of families are still living in fragile and unsafe conditions, particularly households headed by women, the elderly, those with special needs, and those in hard-to-reach areas and with limited means to rebuild.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) urges continued attention on the humanitarian needs in Myanmar and seeks further support for meaningful assistance and recovery for affected populations.Since the earthquakes on 28 March 2025, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), working with the IFRC network and other partners, has reached more than 200,000 people across 30 affected townships.MRCS has been providing multisectoral assistance, including essential food and water relief, emergency shelter assistance, community health services through mobile clinics, assistance to address basic daily needs in a dignified manner that enables affected people to choose their own priorities, community-based initiatives such as water and sanitation solutions, psychosocial support, and child-friendly spaces which provide joy and respite to children and their carers alike.The IFRC has been working hand in hand with the MRCS throughout this response and will continue efforts to help the most vulnerable communities recover and rebuild their lives, working in a neutral and impartial manner.The IFRC emphasizes the critical importance of ensuring sustainability of humanitarian services through deepening localization and stronger community-based approaches, as the MRCS and IFRC network are promoting. Through local presence, strong community participation and acceptance, recovery activities must be based on dignity and protection for affected populations.Six months after the earthquakes, Mr. Xavier Castellanos, Under Secretary General for National Society Development and Coordination of the IFRC, met with earthquake affected communities, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) volunteers, and local community leaders in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Naypyitaw.In Sagaing Region, MRCS operates a community mobile clinic serving earthquake-affected and displaced communities twice a week. Many of the patients seek care for non-communicable diseases, underscoring the importance of continuous community health services in disaster-affected areas. In parallel, other communities are receiving essential relief items and assistance to address their immediate needs, and dozens of affected families in Amarapura and Sagaing are receiving support on safe shelter approaches. Elderly sisters in Tatkon township, Naypyitaw, point to the rubble of their destroyed home which they could not afford to clear, before they could even start thinking about rebuilding.“Affected families consistently told us about their top priority needs: repairing or rebuilding their damaged or destroyed homes, accessing healthcare and medicine especially for chronic illnesses among the elderly, accessing education and ensuring livelihoods to enable them to provide for their families and sustain themselves,” said Mr. Castellanos. “These choices reflect the dignity and priorities of people who know best what their families need.”MRCS volunteers, working tirelessly every day over the past six months, have delivered critical humanitarian assistance despite ongoing challenges: essential relief items, safe drinking water, psychosocial support, and care for children, creating child-friendly spaces of hope and humanity amidst crisis. Inspiring youth volunteers, motivated by wanting to be helpful to those in need, have a key role in growing understanding, trust and acceptance within communities.“Seeing the teams in action and meeting communities recovering from this devastating earthquake reconfirms the critical role of the Myanmar Red Cross Society in this complex setting, working alongside IFRC and our partners. I was very touched by the volunteers’ stories about how they provided any assistance they could, first to their families then to their communities, and how deeply that was appreciated by affected populations, both elderly and young,” Mr. Castellanos noted. “Their efforts are saving lives, restoring dignity, and giving people hope for the future.”Despite significant progress on the earthquake response, the damage was so massive in scale that considerable urgent needs remain. Too many families still live in damaged or unsafe shelters. Many more are affected by the multi-layered humanitarian situation in Myanmar, including unprecedented floods last year, with their vulnerability most recently impacted by the earthquakes. Damaging coping mechanisms are pushing these communities further into crisis.The Federation-wide Myanmar Earthquake Emergency appeal is currently 25% funded, with a significant funding gap. The IFRC expresses its gratitude for the generous funding received to date as well as the strong solidarity and humanitarian response capacities throughout the IFRC network. IFRC also underlines the complimentary work of the components of the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, based on their areas of expertise.Further resources and donor support are urgently needed to continue providing humanitarian services, to scale up support for recovery and resilience and to invest in long-term recovery for affected communities. Recovery will continue to take time and based on continuing exchanges with communities and market analysis, it will be more costly than initially planned. Linking sustainable recovery efforts with integrated community resilience, disaster preparedness and consolidation of community mechanisms will be critical to ensuring a safer and more dignified future for families affected by the earthquakes and other shocks.To support the ongoing response of IFRC and MRCS, please contribute to the Myanmar Earthquake Emergency Appeal.Audiovisual materials: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/5562For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 192 713 641In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575 Notes for editors:Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) Response (up to 30 September 2025) and the IFRC network’s support The earthquakes of 28 March 2025 are reported as having caused widespread damage, over 1.35 million people have been affected from more than 55 townships across five states and regions (Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyitaw, Southern Shan and Bago).  3,815 lives were lost, over 5,104 injured, and more than 200,000 people were displaced.Since 28 March 2025, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has reached more than 200,000 people across 30 townships with the support from Movement partners and external partners.More than 99,359 people have received health care, and more than 1.3 million liters of safe drinking water have been distributed. Sanitation and hygiene services have reached 170,961 people through the clean water supply, construction of latrines, distribution of water tanks and water filters, distribution of hygiene kits and cleaning materials, and hygiene awareness sessions.More than 157,904 people have received shelter and household items such as shelter kits, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and kitchen sets. Multipurpose assistance reached over 100,000 people. In addition, 150 households received assistance for latrine construction.More than 126,922 people have received food and livelihood assistance, mainly mobilized locally from individuals and non-Movement partners of MRCS.Considering protection, gender and inclusion (PGI), more than 19,220 people have been reached with gender and age specific items such as dignity kits, infant kits, and delivery kits.MRCS received 300 metric tonnes of relief and goods in country, from the IFRC Network, other partners, and donor governments.32 National Societies globally have, to date, supported MRCS in this operation (financially, with in-kind donations, or with technical support).MRCS has deployed over 698 volunteers from its network of trained and experienced volunteers countrywide. 

Pakistan floods: Escalating humanitarian crisis amid climate extremes

Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 3 September 2025 – Thousands of families across Pakistan are facing a deepening humanitarian crisis in the wake of devastating monsoon floods and other climate-induced disasters. Homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure have been swept away, leaving communities without access to food, clean water, healthcare, and shelter. In response to the rapidly escalating needs, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is intensifying its emergency operations in the affected areas.To bolster these life-saving efforts, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a 17 million Swiss Francs emergency appeal to support the PRCS in expanding its relief operations. This builds on an initial allocation of CHF 1 million from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF).“This is an urgent humanitarian emergency. Each passing hour is crucial. We are calling on our partners and the international community to stand with the people of Pakistan,” said PRCS’s chairperson, Mrs. Farzhana Naek. “We are actively responding on the ground, but more support is urgently needed to save lives and prevent further suffering.”Red Crescent on the Frontlines of the ResponsePRCS has mobilized teams of staff and volunteers, delivering clean water, cooked meals, medical care, emergency shelter, and essential supplies to the hardest-hit areas. Emergency Control Rooms have been activated nationwide to coordinate the response and ensure aid reaches those in greatest need.“Our teams are working around the clock, side by side with affected communities,” said Mrs. Farzhana Naek. “Unfortunately, the affected people are disproportionally the poorest of the poor, therefore we are committed to supporting them through recovery,” she added.A Call to Rebuild and Prepare for a Climate-Challenged FuturePakistan remains one of the countries most affected and vulnerable to climate change. In the past few months alone, extreme weather, including cloudburst floods and record-breaking monsoon rainfall, has impacted millions. According to World Weather Attribution scientists, the recent monsoon rains were intensified by up to 15% due to human-induced climate change.“Pakistan contributes little to global emissions yet bears the brunt of the climate crisis. Our emergency appeal is not just about saving lives today, it’s about helping communities build resilience for the harsher climate realities of tomorrow.”, says Farid Abdulkadir, IFRC Head of Delegation in Pakistan.With more extreme weather events projected in the years ahead, the IFRC and PRCS are committed to supporting both immediate humanitarian relief and longer-term resilience building, helping communities withstand future climate shocks.Note to editors:Visuals: Photos available here: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~301ac4f9ae For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances: +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

Red Cross Mobilises as Storms Slam the Philippines

Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 24 July 2025 – The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding on the ground as Severe Tropical Storm Co-may (local name: Emong) and Tropical Depression Francisco (local name: Dante) continue to impact wide areas of the country. Heavy rain, strong winds, and dangerous sea conditions are affecting Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, placing many communities at serious risk. The combined force of these storms is causing flooding, landslides, and coastal disruptions. Metro Manila is experiencing strong rains, flash floods, and heavy traffic due to waterlogged roads and poor visibility.Red Cross on the FrontlinesThe Philippines Red Cross (PRC) is actively responding to support evacuation efforts, rescuing people stranded by floods, distributing food, clean water, and essential relief items, and coordinating closely with local authorities. Its resources are sufficient at this stage, but with multiple weather systems in recent weeks, the team is stretched. Continued operations like these will need strong support in the coming days if conditions worsen.“We deployed to the most impacted areas. Our local preparedness and readiness have been adequate to ensure that our lifesaving assistance are not disrupted due to flooding, landslides and continuous torrential rainfall,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross, the country’s largest humanitarian organisation covering all provinces and major cities.PRC teams from both local chapters and the National Headquarters remain on full standby to reinforce response efforts as needed. “At the Philippine Red Cross, we prioritise people’s lives and livelihoods above everything. Our volunteers are working around the clock to save lives, alleviate suffering, and uphold the dignity of their fellow Filipinos,” Dr. Pang added, urging the public to remain vigilant, follow official warnings, and support each other, especially the most vulnerable members of their communities.More Storms May Be on the WayFrom June to the present, six low-pressure systems have developed within the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), with some evolving into full storms — such as Wipha (local name: Crising), Francisco, and now Co-may. Experts expect the typhoon season and Southwest Monsoon (commonly known as Habagat in the Philippines) rains to continue through October, meaning more heavy rain and flooding could still come.“Thanks to the strong preparedness and planning of the Philippine Red Cross, urgent relief stocks are sufficient for now,” said Sanjeev Kafley, Head of Delegation for the IFRC in the Philippines. However, he noted that ongoing emergency operations in recent weeks are beginning to stretch available resources. Kafley emphasised that the IFRC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Philippine Red Cross and stands ready to provide additional support through the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) should any supply gaps arise.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Lili Chin, +6016 2340872 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 35 75

Just the beginning: IFRC urges Europe to prepare as heatwaves and wildfires intensify this summer

Budapest, Geneva - 04 July 2025 – Wildfires are raging in Greece, Türkiye and other parts of Europe as a deadly heatwave is gripping the continent, causing loss of life, mass evacuations, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) network has mobilized to support emergency responders and vulnerable communities affected, including migrants, older people, children, and those with chronic illnesses.The IFRC warns this is only the beginning. With multiple heatwaves and fire risks expected through September, there is an urgent need to shift from reactive response to proactive preparedness. Governments, municipalities and communities must take early action now—because when we prepare better, we save lives.In Türkiye’s Izmir region, wildfires have tragically claimed two lives and forced the evacuation of 50,000 people, with hundreds of houses damaged. On the Greek island of Crete, over 5,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated as fires approach residential and tourist areas. Eastern Germany has seen more than 100 people displaced due to advancing flames.In Greece, Red Cross volunteers are working alongside firefighters, providing critical first aid to both emergency personnel and evacuees, including care for displaced pets.In Türkiye, Red Crescent teams are delivering essential food, water, and relief supplies to firefighting crews and those forced to flee their homes.In North Macedonia, mobile teams are addressing the severe risks faced by people on the move, distributing hydration supplies and sun protection while coordinating with authorities to ensure safe transit amid extreme heat.These efforts are part of a broader humanitarian response to the escalating climate crisis in Europe, where rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are contributing to intensified wildfire risks. The IFRC is committed not only to immediate relief but also to building community resilience through health support, preparedness, and climate adaptation initiatives.“Heatwaves and wildfires are no longer isolated events; they are becoming the new reality for millions across Europe,” said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbeson, IFRC Regional Director of Europe. “Summer after summer, we’re seeing preventable deaths, loss of livelihoods and impacts to people’s health. Heatwaves are becoming deadlier, fires more intense, and the people most at risk are often the least prepared. While our teams are stepping in, we need longer-term readiness across the board.”The IFRC urges governments, local authorities, and communities to prioritize climate adaptation and invest in early warning systems, health services, and disaster risk reduction to mitigate the humanitarian toll of these increasingly frequent disasters.Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers on the ground are available for interviews.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] Budapest:Corrie Butler, +36 70 430 6506Anastasia Sharkova, +7 916 040 1972In Turkiye:Sevil Erkus, +90 536 644 91 22In Geneva:Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

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

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

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

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

Myanmar earthquake one-month on: needs remain massive

Mandalay/Yangon/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 28 April –One month after the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck central Myanmar on 28 March 2025, humanitarian needs continue to be immense in a country that is both grieving and grappling with new threats - with the imminent arrival of the cyclone and monsoon seasons. The IFRC, Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) and Red Cross and Crescent partners continue to work intensively at the heart of the communities most affected to ensure critical needs are met.Conditions on the ground continue to be very challenging. More than 50,000 buildings have been destroyed, and many more have partially collapsed or are at risk of collapse. Over 198,000 people have been displaced and continue to live outdoors in temperatures of up to forty degrees Celsius, living with an overwhelming fear of further aftershocks. Myanmar’s cyclone season starts within days, exposing coastal populations to strong winds and rains – leaving families to face the risks of floods, landslides and extreme heat.Immediate humanitarian aid remains vital, with IFRC’s efforts also now shifting to focus on early recovery needs. This includes access to more permanent shelter with people’s basic needs being met, as well as sustainable access to water and sanitation and support to help restore shattered livelihoods. These medium and longer-term needs are becoming an important focus of IFRC’s efforts, working alongside the Myanmar Red Cross Society and Red Cross and Crescent partners, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The sheer geographical scale and magnitude of the disaster – with over 1.3 million people affected over five states and regions of the country - means more international funding is urgently needed.The IFRC launched a 100 million Swiss Francs Emergency Appeal in the immediate aftermath of the disaster – most of which will be invested over two years to reach 100,000 people. This, in a country where people have faced multiple shocks in recent years, including unprecedented floods only seven months ago and ongoing hostilities. But to date, this IFRC appeal is only 15% funded, leaving a massive gap.IFRC and MRCS have been active since day one and are continuing to provide comprehensive humanitarian services in Bago, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Sagaing and Southern Shan. The MRCS has access to the vast majority of the areas impacted by the earthquake and has conducted rapid needs assessments with the IFRC and in coordination with humanitarian agencies. The main needs identified are healthcare, shelter, food, water and sanitation, providing cash and emergency relief items, while addressing specific needs of the young, elderly or disabled.MRCS has reached over 84,000 people with assistance to date. Over 20,000 litres of clean drinking water are being distributed daily, and 250 metric tonnes of relief items have arrived in the country. The IFRC has also deployed 24 Rapid Response personnel from its network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies – some 65 per cent of whom are women. But while immediate needs remain critical, Myanmar’s recovery will be a long road, with strong international support needed in the months ahead.“Initial assistance and comprehensive coverage of needs are essential to enable people to begin rebuilding their lives and livelihoods in a context where time is of the essence”, said Nadia Khoury, Head of Delegation of the IFRC in Myanmar.“Before the earthquake, the Myanmar Red Cross was already present in so much of the affected areas and will continue to remain present - assisting communities in temporary camps, monasteries, mosques, and churches. Its inspiring and dedicated volunteers have the trust, reach and local knowledge to make a real difference in affected communities. But this is not only about immediate needs – the road to recovery for these populations will be long. Investment is critical, not just for today but for the future.”The recovery work constitutes the bulk of the CHF 100 million appeal. This includes restoring livelihoods and community resilience - cash and voucher assistance, transitional shelter, sanitation, agricultural support and vocational training. Community based disaster risk reduction, addressing public health in emergencies, rehabilitation of community infrastructure such as clinics, schools, access to water will also be planned through investment in national humanitarian actors such as the Myanmar Red Cross who are able to provide the most effective and impactful humanitarian assistance.IFRC thanks its donors and its member Red Cross Red Crescent Societies for their valued support through in-kind resources and funding.IFRC continues to call on donors, partners and the international community to provide support to meet the needs of the people of Myanmar, now and in the months ahead.For more information on the ongoing relief efforts in Myanmar or to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected] Yangon:Swe Zin Myo Win,+95 979 595 6050In Kuala Lumpur:Maryann Horne, +61 476 006 007In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09Note to editorsAV materials are available in this link.

Gruelling conditions in Myanmar as humanitarian needs remain high following devastating earthquake

The latest photos and videos from Myanmar (including B-roll of flooding in Mandalay) are available at: https://tinyurl.com/3rfunfahSagaing/Mandalay, Kuala Lumpur, Geneva, 16 April 2025 – Humanitarian efforts are intensifying despite difficult conditions in Myanmar. IFRC rapid response teams and specialists have joined hundreds of staff and volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross during what is normally the country’s most joyful time.On the ground, conditions are challenging. It has been raining heavily, flooding streets and camps, and more downpours are forecast. There have also been over 400 aftershocks, one of which registered 5.5 on the Richter scale on Sunday morning and caused buildings to collapse in Mandalay city and the surrounding areas. Temperatures have reached forty degrees Celsius and the start of the monsoon season is only weeks away.The Thingyan festival, which started on Sunday, normally celebrates Myanmar’s new year with water-splashing rituals, symbolising cleansing and renewal. Instead, those worst affected by the earthquake continue to live in the open, close to the ruins of their homes, schools and hundreds of pagodas, monasteries, churches and mosques reduced to rubble.Aftershocks are causing widespread fear. As a result, hundreds of families continue to live outside their homes, fearing the remaining buildings may collapse. The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS), alongside IFRC and other National Societies and the ICRC have been on the ground across Sagaing, Mandalay, Naypyidaw, Bago and Southern Shan, to distribute prepositioned supplies that were already in country while new supplies are being dispatched. They are providing shelter, food, safe drinking water, relief items specific to young children and pregnant or lactating women, hygiene items, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, and health care through mobile health clinics and psychosocial support.A humanitarian airbridge from Kuala Lumpur has also enabled the Red Cross and its partners, to coordinate and facilitate the provision of 150 metric tonnes of additional supplies. In the first week since the earthquake, eight charter flights and six cargo shipments - equivalent to 50 fully loaded trucks and a convoy stretching over 1.2 kilometers – were facilitated. Since, a total of 150 metric tonnes of goods, including hygiene kits, jerry cans, tents, tarpaulins, blankets and mosquito nets have arrived in country“Since the first hours of this response, generous individuals, national actors and those who are part of the affected communities have provided the most impactful and rapid support. What I am witnessing is an extraordinary spirit of solidarity and humanity where organisations such as the Myanmar Red Cross and their incredible volunteers are working flat out to ensure needs are met, as fast as possible. This is normally a time for celebrations. Instead, it is a time of mourning and loss. The energy, selfless dedication and determination of these individuals and humanitarian workers are a beacon of hope to these communities who have lost everything,” said Nadia Khoury, IFRC Head of Delegation for Myanmar. She is currently with the IFRC and Myanmar Red Cross rapid response teams and local volunteers in Mandalay and Sagaing regions.Interviews can be arranged live in country with:IFRC Regional Director, Asia Pacific, Alexander Matheou in Mandalay IFRC Head of Delegation for Myanmar Nadia Khoury, in MandalayInterviews with IFRC staff in the field can also be arranged in French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and regional languages such as Bahasa.For more information or to set up an interview contact: [email protected] Earthquake response:Maryann Horne, Communications delegate for the Emergency response +60 19 227 62 90 or WhatsApp or Signal +61 476 006 007In Kuala Lumpur: Li Li Chin +60 234 0872In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367 Scott Craig: +41 76 370 3575

Early warning systems only way to begin tackling unprecedented number of Philippines typhoons

Manila/ Kuala Lumpur/ Geneva, 18 November:Six tropical typhoons have hit the Philippines in a month in an unprecedented pattern of extreme weather, not seen since records in the Pacific basin began in 1951. While the overall impact caused by the latest Super Typhoon Man-Yi (local name Pepito) is still being assessed, the previous five typhoons - Trami (Kristine), Kong-Rey (Leon), Yin-Xing (Marce), Toraji (Nika) and Usagi (Ofel) - have already caused extensive destruction across the region, bringing torrential rains, landslides, widespread flooding and damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, stretching local resources to their maximum. Over 1.4 million displaced people have faced limited access to water, sanitation, nutrition and health care. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is urgently appealing for more aid, increasing its initialEmergency Appeal for 7.5 million Swiss Francs, launched for Typhoon Trami, to 9 million Swiss Francs with the aim of enabling the Philippine Red Cross to widen its scope of assistance to over 86,000 people in the 12 most impacted provinces by allsix typhoons.Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), said: “While providing lifesaving support, we have initiated early actions to help at-risk communities to reduce damage. But no one can be well prepared for such an unprecedented number of storms in this short span of time. We need help to reduce the humanitarian impacts of these typhoons.” She also pointed out that the PRC has been responding to disasters from the beginning, alongside local authorities, to meet the immediate needs of the most vulnerable communities.Gopal Mukherjee, Programme Coordinator and IFRC Acting Head of Delegation for the Philippines highlighted the urgent need for more aid as local resources are stretched thin, including that of the Philippine Red Cross:“Already the recovery of impacted communities is interrupted by these typhoons and their compounding effects. The humanitarian situation is worsening as Super Typhoon Man-Yi is making its impact,” he added.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] In Kuala Lumpur: Lili Chin: +60 162340872In Geneva: Hannah Copeland, +41 76 236 91 09

IFRC calls for local level investment to scale up early warning systems in disaster response

Manila, Philippines – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, disaster risk reduction practitioners, governments, civil society and other international organisations met in Manila last week at the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) 2024. The event brought together these key stakeholders to share knowledge and accelerate action towards a resilient global future.This year’s theme, ‘Eyes on 2030: Enhancing Ambition in Asia-Pacific to Accelerate Disaster Risk Reduction’, strongly aligns with IFRC’s long-standing commitment to improving disaster preparedness and community resilience across the region.In collaboration with the IFRC, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) also aims to showcase the power of locally-led action and anticipatory approaches, emphasising the importance of inclusive and sustainable solutions to reduce disaster risks. As the Asia-Pacific area remains one of the most disaster-prone regions in the world, the participation of the Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement at APMCDRR is crucial to driving forward local initiatives that build safer, more resilient communities.The IFRC, which serves as a global leader in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian response, supports PRC and 37 other National Societies in Asia Pacific in promoting community resilience, disaster law, early warning systems, and gender-responsive disaster governance. The IFRC will advocate for stronger policies that integrate DRR into national and local development plans and sustainable financing mechanisms ensuring that women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities are at the heart of these efforts.During the event, the Secretary General of Maldivian Red Crescent, Fathimath Himya, was announced as one of the finalists for the Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR) Excellence Award. Nominees are celebrated for their exceptional professional success in disaster risk reduction, representing the expertise and experiences needed to find solutions to understanding, preventing, and reducing the increasing disaster risk in the most disaster-prone region of the world. Throughout the conference, under the fourth pillar of the Early Warning For All initiative by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the IFRC co-leads discussions and shares best practice in DRR, focusing on anticipatory action together with the World Meteorological Organisation and International Telecommunication Union.In addition to its contribution to DRR policy discussions, the IFRC leverages the APMCDRR as an opportunity to reinforce partnerships with governments, donors and other stakeholders, with the goal of increasing funding for locally-led disaster resilience programmes. The IFRC also co-hosted a series of side events focusing on anticipatory action and the role of women in leadership in disaster risk reduction.Looking Ahead: APMCDRR and the Road to GenevaThe outcomes of APMCDRR 2024 will feed into broader global efforts to enhance disaster risk reduction. The commitments made in Manila will be vital in shaping discussions at the upcoming Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which will take place in Geneva in June 2025. The Geneva conference will build on the outcomes of regional platforms like APMCDRR, further aligning them with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).Juja Kim, Deputy Regional Director for the IFRC who was also in Manila, said:"The increasing frequency and severity of extreme weather and climate events poses severe humanitarian challenges that are already affecting millions of lives and livelihoods around the world. What we achieve at APMCDRR will resonate globally, including at the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent in Geneva at the end of October, where we, together with States, are set to pass important resolutions regarding locally-led action, disaster law, and anticipatory action addressing extreme climate and weather events. Anticipatory action saves lives and livelihoods and massively reduces the need for post-disaster reaction. Some estimates suggest that 95% of people who might otherwise need post-disaster humanitarian aid would not need it if the right anticipatory action is taken in advance. So together, we must ensure that disaster risk reduction is fully integrated into every level of policy and planning.”About APMCDRR 2024Hosted by the Government of the Philippines in partnership with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (APMCDRR) is the region’s largest gathering on disaster risk reduction. The event aims to review DRR efforts, share innovative solutions, and commit to accelerated action toward reducing disaster risk in the world’s most disaster-prone region.For media inquiries please contact: [email protected] Manila/Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Frances, IFRC Regional Communications Manager, +60 19 271 3641

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),

Red Cross swings into action immediately after Japan earthquake

Tokyo/Beijing/Geneva, 3 January 2024 - Responding to a devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in the Ishikawa Prefecture, the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) has mobilized swiftly. The events of New Year’s Day have caused extensive damage, disrupting power, water supplies, communications, and transportation. Tragically, at least sixty-two lives have been lost, with many more injured. In the immediate aftermath, JRCS's nationwide network was activated, with staff from the Tokyo headquarters rapidly deployed for assessment and coordination. Local chapters, supported by Red Cross hospitals and Blood Centres, initiated response actions. Echoing the spirit of solidarity, neighboring JRCS branches have dispatched additional relief teams. Nobuaki Sato, Deputy Director General of the International Department of the JRCS, said: “The earthquake shook the country to its maximum intensity and triggered the highest tsunami alert, and people could not help but be reminded of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami 13 years ago. We did not encounter a major tsunami, but there is a long way to go to promote the more rapid evacuation of people, search and rescue for missing people, support for evacuees and their recovery. The Japanese Red Cross Society will stay close to the people affected and provide support.” The JRCS’s robust disaster preparedness, marked by a well-orchestrated deployment of resources and personnel, has been crucial in this rapid response. This readiness is vital in a country like Japan, frequently confronted with seismic activities. Alexander Matheou, Regional Director for Asia Pacific of the IFRC, remarked: “We are with the Japanese Red Cross Society during these trying times, especially those displaced and traumatized by the earthquake. Although the Asia-Pacific Region is prone to frequent disasters, it has also proven itself to be leading the way in life-saving prevention, preparedness, resilience, and humanitarian innovation, sending us a strong message about the urgent need to strengthen humanitarian responses to disasters and crises. We thank our teams on the ground for the swift response, and we acknowledge that the impact will be psychological not just physical. The IFRC stands ready to support.” The IFRC, through its East Asia Delegation, remains closely engaged with the JRCS, ensuring a coordinated approach in addressing both the immediate and future challenges posed by this disaster. More information: To request an interview, please contact:[email protected]  In Kaula Lumpur: Afrhill Rances: +60 19 271 3641 In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67 Mrinalini Santhanam: +41 76 381 50 06

Homa Nader: Bringing hope to the people of Afghanistan

In this episode, we explore the dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan with Homa Nader, Manager of Strategic Engagement and Partnership in the IFRC country office in Kabul. Four years of drought, economic sanctions and the legacy of conflict are just a few of the factors that have left some 34 million Afghans facing extreme hardship. We spoke with Homa about the daily challenges for average Afghans, theparticular difficulties for women, and about the critical and inspiring work of Red Crescent volunteers in helping people cope.