Laws of nature: the Madagascar case for a Global Disaster Treaty

Heat Action Day 2026: Taking on the dangers of indoor heat

At a school on the Unguja Island, part of the Tanzanian archipelago known as Zanzibar, volunteers from the Tanzania Red Cross Society explain to a classroom full of students how to protect themselves from the dangers of extreme heat.The volunteers’ efforts were part of a larger heatwave awareness campaign in early 2026, led by the Tanzanian Red Cross, that has reached more than 4,000 people in schools, madrasas, markets, and communities around the island.This is just one of many ways Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies around the world regularly work to protect people from the dangers of extreme heat – including the very particular dangers of indoor heat.Why focus on indoor heat?When thinking about or preparing for heatwaves, people often think of blistering days outside in the hot sun. But people living or working indoors, in uncooled or poorly ventilated spaces, can sometimes be at even greater risk of heat stroke, dehydration and other heat-related risks.Those most susceptible to rising body temperatures — children and the elderly — are particularly vulnerable and, often, they must spend long periods of the day inside.These are some of the reasons Heat Action Day 2026 focuses on ‘indoor heat’— putting the spotlight on the health risks people face inside their homes, schools, workplaces, care facilities, transport hubs, prisons and even public vechiles such as busses and taxis. (Learn more about how to #BeatTheHeat and about how to take part in Heat Action Day 2026.)This threat is nothing new to Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers who often go door-to-door during heatwaves, visiting people who live in densely populated urban neighborhoods, work in poorly insulated industrial areas, or live in camps for people displaced by emergencies.Very often, such facilities or temporary shelters lack insulation or access to energy or water sources that can help keep people cool. Building materials, design characteristics, and urban heat island all play a role in determining indoor temperatures.Rising risksWithout respite and access to cooling, high day- and night-time indoor temperatures pose significant health risks, particularly for older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions. Beyond heat stroke, high temperatures can have a wide range of health effects.According to a 2020 study, for example, high indoor temperatures affect multiple aspects of human health, with the strongest evidence for respiratory health, diabetes management and core schizophrenia and dementia symptoms, according to one 2020 study.Other studies show that prolonged exposure to high indoor temperatures is also responsible for sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment of workers, reduced learning uptake in students, and domestic violence.More research needs to be done, however, so policy makers, urban planners and architects can better understand how to reduce extreme urban heat. At the same time, building standards and indoor heat policies need urgent updates. In many places, indoor heat standards do not exist, or they overlook vulnerable populations and climate projections.The good news is that it is possible to improve the way buildings and public spaces are designed and constructed to better protect people living and working indoors. Meanwhile, more governments, agencies and communities are taking action. For example: painting roofs white, keeping windows covered during the hottest times of day, and using passive cooling at night when temperatures outside cool down.There are also many low-cost actions one can take to cool the body: a cool shower, submerging feet in cool water, self-dousing with water, using an evaporative cooler or misting fan, ingesting cold water, wearing clothing made from natural fibres, and sleeping with a wet sheet, among other measures.As part of its 2026 Heat Action Day activation, the IFRC also encourages people to proactively reach out to support the elderly and chronically ill during times of extreme heat, especially those with limited mobility who may need help getting to a cooler space.How can you take part in Heat Action Day?As the organization that created Heat Action Day, the IFRC each year encourages more and more activities to raise awareness and encourage people to take concrete action to prevent heat related illness and death.Whether you're sharing life-saving tips on social media or organizing a community event, there are many ways to get involved and help#BeatTheHeat. Learn more here and register to participate and create your own Heat Action Day event or activity.

IFRC mourns the passing of former President Tadateru Konoe

Geneva, 27 May 2026:The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Tadateru Konoe, former President of the IFRC and former President of the Japanese Red Cross Society, who died on 23 May 2026 at the age of 87.With the passing of Mr. Konoe, we have lost one of the most devoted and compassionate leaders — a man whose life was defined by humanity, humility, and service to others.For more than five decades, Mr. Konoe dedicated his entire life to the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. Joining the Japanese Red Cross Society at the age of 25, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to alleviating suffering and supporting people affected by disasters, crises, and conflicts around the world. Through decades of service in both the Japanese Red Cross Society and the IFRC, often in the field and close to communities, he developed a profound belief in the power of humanity, solidarity, and compassion.As President of the Japanese Red Cross Society from 2005, Mr. Konoe led the Japanese Red Cross to successfully deliver urgent and effective assistance in several emergencies, including the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami and nuclear plant accident in Fukushima in 2011.Elected President of the IFRC in 2009 and again in 2013, Mr. Konoe worked tirelessly to strengthen cooperation across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, reinforce the resilience and capacity of National Societies, and uphold integrity and accountability in humanitarian action – at all times embodying the “Spirit of Togetherness”. His longstanding advocacy for the elimination of nuclear weapons reflected his deep conviction that humanity must never again endure such suffering.Those who knew and worked alongside Mr. Konoe will remember not only his remarkable leadership but also his kindness, gentleness, and quiet presence.In recognition of his extraordinary service and unwavering commitment to humanity, Mr. Konoe was awarded the Henry Dunant Medal, the highest distinction of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement.The IFRC joins the Japanese Red Cross Society, the wider Red Cross Red Crescent family, and countless friends and colleagues around the world in mourning his loss.We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones, and all those whose lives were touched by his extraordinary humanity.Mr. Konoe’s legacy will endure in the millions of lives reached through the humanitarian work he championed, and in the values of humanity and compassion to which he devoted his life.For more information, please contact:[email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367

World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2026: United in Humanity. No Matter Where, No Matter When

The old and the (Re)new

By Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General and CEOOn 5 May 1919, in the aftermath of the First World War, a small group of National Red Cross Societies came together in France with a bold idea. They believed the compassion, solidarity and voluntary service shown during wartime should not disappear in peace. Instead, it should be organised, extended and made available wherever suffering occurred. That moment marked the birth of what would become the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.More than a century later, we mark that founding not only as a historical milestone, but as a reminder of why this network exists.The world we are operating in today is not the one imagined in 1919, nor even the one we knew a decade ago. Humanitarian needs continue to rise, while solidarity and funding are shrinking. Long‑standing assumptions about how international aid works are being tested, and in many cases overturned. Thingswill not go back to the way they were.This is the reality driving the IFRC’s Renewal, our strategic reorientation to double down on what we do best. Renewal is about becoming even more locally led, more focused, more accountable, and even better equipped to serve communities in environments often tougher today than they have ever been.But Renewal will only succeed if it is firmly anchored in ourFundamental Principles.In a world where humanitarian action is increasingly politicised, principles are sometimes treated as outdated or irrelevant. What matters, say some, is what works; not what lies behind, not the philosophy behind decisions. I disagree. Staying true to core principles, however contexts change, is what means organizations like ours maintain guardrails around our decisions. Even as we operate in a very different world to ones of decades past, we’re recognizable, and our work is extensive and impactful, because our principles remain consistent.Take neutrality. It allows our network to reach people others cannot. It allows us to stay when access narrows and pressure intensifies. It keeps our focus where it belongs – on the consequences of crises, not on assigning blame.Impartiality and independence are just as essential. They are what allow communities to see the Red Cross and Red Crescent as their own, rather than as an extension of any government, donor or agenda. Without that trust, access erodes. Without access, response becomes impossible.This is why Renewal is not a departure from who we are. It is a continuation of the founding vision of 5 May 1919 – a belief that a strong humanitarian network must be anchored in local action, global solidarity and shared principles. Renewal is about deepening localization. It is about focusing our efforts where our impact is greatest. It is about being more agile, more accountable, and more transparent in how we use resources entrusted to us. It is about using technology unimaginable in the past to enhance the very things our founders believed most essential.Renewal is also about shifting even further away from notions of community-dependency towards local ownership – supporting National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to lead, not follow, and ensuring that international support strengthens, rather than replaces, local capacity. Renewal means doing things differently, but always doing them with the same integrity our network has always held central.Choices ahead will not be easy. Which country gets support and which doesn’t? Who gets prioritized and who doesn’t? How do we apply our principles of impartiality when the fundings get even more earmarked? While we grapple with these questions, we must be absolutely clear about what does not change.Efficiency and principles as well as speed and trust must go hand in hand. A humanitarian system that modernises but loses credibility with communities is not stronger – it is weaker.More than a century after our founding, our relevance will be measured by whether people still trust the Red Cross and Red Crescent on their doorstep. Renewal is how we protect that trust for the future – by becoming more local, more focused and more accountable, while remaining true to the values that have sustained our network for generations.

Empress Shōken Fund announces 2026 funding decisions

The Joint Commission of theEmpress Shōken Fund (ESF) has announced a new distribution of funds, totalling 430,884 Swiss francs, which will support 15 projects run by 15 National Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies. The Commission is administered by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The projects chosen cover a variety of issues, including disaster preparedness, first aid and rescue, health, social welfare and youth engagement.The countries where the projects are being implemented are Botswana, Chile, Congo, Costa Rica, Denmark, Egypt, Guatemala, Iceland, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR), Latvia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania.The ESF received 68 applications last year for the 105th distribution of income, the highest number ever, reflecting growing demand for innovation across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.In 2025, the ESF continued strengthening its pipeline of innovation initiatives by reinforcing the rigour of its application, review and learning processes. This resulted in clearer selection criteria, structured experimentation and learning expectations, and stronger peer-to-peer support for applicants, including mentors from theSolferino Academy network, some of whom are past ESF grantees.As a result, the quality of applications continued to improve, with proposals demonstrating greater clarity, stronger learning intent and more deliberate approaches to replication. This positive trend confirms the value of the ESF’s focus on innovation, experimentation and learning. It also highlights the ongoing need to support National Societies as they test and scale new approaches to increase humanitarian impact.The first ESF grant was awarded in 1921 to help five European National Societies fight the spread of tuberculosis. Since then, more than 17million Swiss francs have been allocated to 175 National Societies for a total of 795 initiatives. The grants are announced every year on 11April, the anniversary of the death of Her Majesty Empress Shōken, known for her charity work and for being one of the founders of the Japanese Red Cross Society.2026 grantsDisaster preparedness and early warningCosta Rica: Resilient Indigenous TerritoriesIndigenous communities often face delays in emergency response due to their geographic isolation and limited access to services. This initiative strengthens local preparedness by training and equipping Indigenous volunteers as first responders, combining modern emergency practices with traditional knowledge. Its culturally grounded, community-led model improves response times while offering a replicable approach for other remote and marginalized communities.Sao Tome and Principe: Aqua-AlertCoastal communities face increasing risks from flooding, erosion and climate-related hazards but have limited early warning capacity. Aqua-Alert introduces enhanced digital monitoring and early warning systems to improve anticipation and response. By combining local data collection with accessible communication tools, it strengthens community resilience and offers a scalable model for small island contexts.Indonesia: AldebaranMany hazard-prone communities lack continuous access to preparedness information. Aldebaran addresses this gap through an AI-powered platform paired with youth-led “agents of change” who provide ongoing localized support. By combining technology with human engagement, it ensures accessible, real-time guidance and builds a sustainable, youth-driven preparedness ecosystem.Botswana: Circular Solutions for ResiliencePoor waste management contributes to environmental degradation and increased flood risks in vulnerable areas. This initiative establishes a recycling hub that transforms automotive waste into usable products, reducing environmental hazards while creating income opportunities. Its circular economy approach links climate resilience and livelihoods in a model that can be replicated in similar contexts.First aid and rescueLatvia: First Aid for Every ChildChildren often lack access to appropriate first-aid education despite being key actors in emergencies. This initiative develops an accessible, child-friendly training system tailored to different age groups. By making first-aid learning engaging and inclusive, it builds life-saving skills early and creates a foundation for long-term community resilience.Egypt: The Creative RescuerTraditional disaster preparedness approaches often fail to engage young people effectively. This initiative introduces creative, experiential learning methods to make preparedness more engaging and practical. By testing alternative education formats, it aims to improve retention and behaviour change, offering strong potential for adaptation across other National Societies.Health and well-beingDenmark: Y2Y-VOICESYouth perspectives are often underrepresented in mental health discussions and programming. Y2Y-VOICES addresses this gap through a peer-to-peer learning and mentoring model where young volunteers co-create advocacy campaigns. By combining storytelling, communication skills and psychosocial support, it empowers young people to shape mental health narratives while strengthening their own well-being and connectedness.Chile: Caring for CaregiversVolunteers face increasing psychosocial pressure, and this and the lack of structured support systems leads to burnout and attrition. This initiative pilots a preventive psychosocial support model across multiple branches, including peer support spaces, self-care training and psychological first aid. By institutionalizing volunteer care, it strengthens both individual well-being and overall organizational resilience.Social welfare and inclusionIceland: Project SamfléttaRefugee women often face isolation and barriers to accessing services and employment. Project Samflétta addresses this through an adaptive support model combining practical assistance, skills development and improved service navigation. Its iterative approach allows for continuous learning and adjustment, supporting long-term inclusion and empowerment.North Macedonia: House of OpportunitiesPeople experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty often struggle to navigate fragmented support systems. This initiative creates a multifunctional service hub that brings together essential services in one place, supported by a simplified mapping approach. By improving access and coordination, it offers a practical, replicable model for inclusive service delivery.Youth engagement and climate/environmental actionPakistan: YOUR-CAPUrban youth are often under-engaged in climate resilience efforts despite being key agents of change. YOUR-CAP supports youth teams in designing and testing local climate solutions through training, mentoring and small grants. With the addition of a Youth Wellness Corner, it provides light psychosocial support, recognizing the link between climate action and well-being.Lao PDR: Youth Engagement & Leadership StrengtheningYouth engagement is often informal and lacks continuity. This initiative builds a structured pathway from recruitment to leadership through orientations, camps, clubs and small grants. By systematizing youth engagement, it creates a sustainable model for long-term volunteer development.Tanzania: Youth-Led Climate Resilience Innovation LabsCommunities need locally adapted, low-cost climate solutions. This initiative establishes youth-led innovation labs where young people co-create and test practical adaptation measures with communities. By linking innovation and preparedness, it strengthens both local resilience and youth leadership.Guatemala: Blue GuardiansWhile water ecosystems are under increasing pressure, youth engagement in environmental action remains limited. Blue Guardians establishes a Youth Water Observatory and supports youth-led monitoring, clean-ups, reforestation and awareness campaigns. Its built-in learning design compares approaches to identify the most effective models for scale.Congo: J-INNOVCommunities affected by recurrent crises often lack access to affordable and repairable tools. J‑INNOV establishes humanitarian fab labs to train youth innovators and develop locally produced solutions. By combining innovation, skills development and micro-enterprise incubation, it creates sustainable, locally driven responses to recurring challenges.The Joint Commission of the Empress Shōken Fund warmly congratulates all the 2026 ESF grantees and looks forward to learning with them as they bring these initiatives to life across the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Women supporting women: On International Women’s Day 2026, we tell the stories of women around the world helping shape a safer, more equal future for the next generation

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

IOM and IFRC Assume Co-Leadership of Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster

Geneva, 19 February 2026 – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have assumed joint leadership of the new Global Shelter, Land and Site Coordination Cluster, marking a major step forward in delivering faster, fairer, and more effective humanitarian assistance worldwide.“This is about putting people at the centre of humanitarian response,” said IOM's Director General Amy Pope. “When shelter, land and site coordination work together, families are safer, communities are more stable, and recovery can begin sooner. It gives people not just support in a crisis, but a stronger foundation to rebuild their lives with dignity.”The new approach brings together shelter assistance, site coordination, and housing, land and property support under a single, integrated framework. It is a critical outcome of both the Humanitarian Reset – the system-wide effort to simplify humanitarian coordination, reduce duplication, and make responses faster, more accountable, and closer to the needs of people affected by crises and displacement – and IFRC’s Renewal, the organization’s strategic reorientation to focus on where and how it can have the most impact at the local level.Building on their long-standing collaboration, IOM and IFRC will share responsibility for global coordination in both conflict and disaster settings. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) will continue to lead coordination on housing, land and property issues, ensuring continuity and strong technical leadership.The new global platform reflects the realities of how people in crisis live, whether in camps, informal sites, host communities, and urban neighbourhoods and rural areas. It recognizes the broader impact of shelter, not just in providing safety and stability, but also as a critical enabler of other humanitarian outcomes, such as health or education, and will serve as a key platform for coordination across different sectors in displacement settings. It also considers how climate change and environmental pressures shape where and how people live, and places a strong emphasis on community engagement and locally led responses. By involving communities directly in decisions that affect their lives, it supports solutions to displacement that are led by communities themselves and built to last.“This new cluster represents a shift in mindset to a truly place-based, people-centred approach. Its remit starts with where people actually live - their homes, neighbourhoods and communities - and organises support around that. And we shift leadership closer to those contexts, enabling national and local actors to lead coordination wherever possible, with international partners supporting rather than substituting local capacity,” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General and CEO of the IFRC.The impact of this closer collaboration is already visible. During the recent floods in Sri Lanka, IOM and IFRC worked side by side to support affected communities, combining emergency shelter assistance with site coordination and longer-term recovery planning, demonstrating how integrated coordination can accelerate support and improve outcomes for families.IOM and IFRC also thank UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, as well as UN-Habitat and NRC for their close collaboration throughout the transition and for their continued partnership as this new global approach moves forward.For more information, please visit IOM’s Media Centre and IFRC Media Hub, or email [email protected]

Beyond limits: Part 2 in Red Vest podcast's series for the International Year of Volunteers

Local, Everywhere

Rooted in communities, present in 191 countries, and backed by global coordination and influence. These are the essential elements that define the IFRC Network of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and its 16 million community based volunteers. Trusted, local faces delivering life-saving support before, during and after crisis, in every corner of the globe. At a time when the humanitarian sector is under scrutiny, we are proving every day that our local, everywhere presence is having a life-saving and life-changing impact.

IFRC unveils 2026 Global Plan to address rising humanitarian needs with stronger locally led action

Geneva, 12 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has today launched a summary of its Global Plan for 2026, outlining the organisation’s operational priorities for the coming year as humanitarian needs reach unprecedented levels - while funding for humanitarian action continues to shrink.The plan highlights the urgent challenges facing communities worldwide, from more frequent climate related disasters to protracted conflicts, rising displacement, health emergencies and growing vulnerabilities. In many crises, IFRC, Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers are increasingly the only humanitarians still present as other actors scale down or leave.“Humanitarian needs are rising, challenges are growing and funding is shrinking. Many organisations have to leave communities just when they are needed most. Not us,” said IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain. “The IFRC network is local, everywhere, and in 2026, that is not going to change.”A 3.4 billion CHF plan focused on protecting people most at riskThe IFRC network’s total funding requirement for 2026 is 3.4 billion Swiss francs (a breakdown is available in the Global Plan summary document). Some of the key areas of IFRC investment include:• Disasters and crises• Health and wellbeing• Migration and displacement• Climate and environment• Values, power and inclusion• Emergency appeals• Scaling special purpose funds including the IFRC DREF (Disaster Response Emergency Fund) and the National Society Investment Alliance.Increased support for locally led actionUnder the Global Plan, the IFRC will channel 75 percent of all internationally mobilised resources to the national level, placing more people and expertise closer to communities. It will strengthen National Societies’ ability to lead in emergencies, expand volunteer networks and deepen accountability to affected communities.The plan builds on IFRC’s ongoing ‘Renewal’ process, a transformation started by the IFRC Secretary General to make the IFRC Secretariat more agile, locally led, impactful, efficient and accountable, with wide consultation amongst staff, National Societies and Partners.Doing things differently with lessWith 191 National Societies, 17 million volunteers and 289,000 local branches, the IFRC remains the world’s largest humanitarian network. Yet the context in which it operates is becoming more fragile, with rising humanitarian needs and risks to humanitarian personnel. Fifty-seven Red Cross and Red Crescent staff and volunteers have been killed in the line of duty in the past two years. Protecting humanitarian personnel to deliver effectively on our mandate is a key priority for the IFRC in 2026.A call to invest in proven and cost-effective local actionInvestment in locally led response remains one of the most cost efficient and high impact ways to address humanitarian needs. Regular Resources, the IFRC’s unearmarked funding, will be especially important in 2026, providing the flexible resources needed to anchor locally led action, sustain core services and support National Societies on the frontlines of rising humanitarian needs.With the Global Plan 2026, the IFRC renews its commitment to being local, everywhere, ensuring that communities have trusted support close to home when it matters most – and we invite our donors and partners to fund the Plan.Read the summary of the Global Plan for 2026.The full plan will be published in January 2026.More information, visit the Global Plan 2026 web page.For media requests, please contact: [email protected] Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

The Global Migration and Displacement Platform

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

'Serving with the heart': International Volunteer Year 2026 honours the dedication and bravery of volunteers around the world, saving lives and making an impact in their communities

IFRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund 2024 Annual Report

Climate of storms: New Red Vest podcast episode explores link between a warming world and a recent string of super storms

Ahead of COP30, IFRC warns against slowing climate action amid multiple global crises

Geneva, 6November 2025 – As the world prepares to meet at COP30, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warns that amid multiple overlapping global crises, the world cannot afford to lose focus on the climate emergency, as climate-related humanitarian needs escalate.Across the world, the IFRC network is responding to more frequent and severe floods, droughts, storms, heatwaves and wildfires, as climate-related humanitarian needs rise, threatening health, food security, water supplies, lives and livelihoods. Without urgent action to reduce emissions and strengthen local resilience, these needs will only continue to rise.Investment in early action and preparedness for climate-related disasters is key to saving lives – as demonstrated recently with Hurricane Melissa where preparedness and early action gave teams on the ground valuable time to build shelters, evacuate people out of harm’s way, preposition aid and help to prepare communities to weather this unprecedented category 5 hurricane. “Hurricane Melissa is the latest reminder that the humanitarian consequences of climate change are becoming ever clearer. It also shows how being prepared before climate-related disasters strike can save many lives. At COP30, we need action and investment that strengthen community resilience to climate extremes, because if we fail to do so, these humanitarian needs being driven by climate change will only continue to rise,” said Jagan Chapagain, IFRC Secretary General.At COP30, IFRC will call for urgent climate action, focused on three priorities:Health and well-being: Protecting people from the health impacts of climate change by building climate-resilient cities and health systems. Extreme heat, water scarcity and climate-related diseases are already affecting millions, and climate-related health risks are expected to rise sharply if action is delayed. Investment in people and communities: Scaling up locally led climate action and ensuring climate finance reaches the communities who need it most. Less than 10 per cent of global climate finance is estimated to reach the local level, leaving many of the most affected communities without the resources they need to adapt. A more ambitious adaptation finance target would ensure resources reach communities who need them most, especially those in fragile and crisis-affected settings. Timing: Getting ahead of disasters. Investing in preparedness, early warning and anticipatory action to save lives and livelihoods before climate-related disasters strike. IFRC continues to lead global efforts to ensure everyone has access to early warnings and can take action to reduce loss and damage.People are already facing the limits of adaptation and experiencing loss and damage from climate impacts. Some areas are becoming too hot to sustain livelihoods, while rising sea levels are destroying farmland and freshwater supplies. The IFRC is calling for predictable and accessible support for communities most affected, particularly those that have contributed least to the climate crisis and have the fewest resources to recover.At COP30, the IFRC will work with a wide range of partners, governments and donors to ensure that the voices of Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, and the needs of the communities most at risk, are front and centre in the global climate agenda and to deliver on commitments to protect those most at risk.More information on IFRC’s climate programming - including data, reports and stories - is available here.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Panama:Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199María Victoria Langman, +507 6550-1090 In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

Statement by the Governing Board of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on the 60th Anniversary of the Fundamental Principles

Sixty years ago, as a response to profound human suffering, the Fundamental Principlesof the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement were adopted. They wereborn from the conviction that humanitarian action must transcend politics, borders, anddivisions - anchored in humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntaryservice, unity, and universality.For our National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, these principles are not abstractideals. They are the foundation of their daily work in communities across the world,enabling them to respond to disasters, conflicts, health crises, and the challenges ofmigration and displacement with compassion and fairness, regardless of who isaffected.Today, in a world facing unprecedented crises, these principles remain our strongestcompass. They allow National Societies to act swiftly when earthquakes strike, whenfloods devastate, when droughts destroy livelihoods, and when pandemics disrupt lives.These principles ensure that our volunteers and staff can help people withoutdiscrimination, and that every individual is seen as a human being with dignity, rights,and aspirations.Yet principles alone are not enough. Living by them requires courage, humility, andresolve. National Societies need an enabling environment in which they can carry outtheir auxiliary role to public authorities in the humanitarian field - fully recognized,respected, and supported.Therefore, we, the members of the Governing Board of the International Federation ofRed Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in line with the resolutions of the 2024 Council ofDelegates and 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, callupon all governments and partners to:• Ensure the legal recognition of National Societies and their ability to act accordingto the Fundamental Principles.• Respect their independence, impartiality, and neutrality at all times.• Facilitate their humanitarian mission and guarantee safe and unhindered accessto those in need.On this 60th anniversary, we honour not only the vision that gave birth to these principles,but the daily courage of millions of Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and staff wholive them out.The Fundamental Principles are not relics of the past; they are living commitments. It isour shared responsibility to ensure that they remain the guiding light for us for thedecades to come.

IFRC-DREF Stories

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

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

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

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

Faster, closer, safer: Local action backed by global solidarity.

IFRC Annual Report 2024 Executive Summary

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

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

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