IFRC continues delivering operational materials for the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Bunia/Nairobi/Geneva, 22 June 2026– The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies(IFRC)continues to deliveressentialmaterialstoareas affected by the Bundibugyo Ebola virus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is prepositioningsuppliesin neighboring countries(Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda,andSouth Sudan)as part of a2.9million CHFsupply chainoperation.Since the declaration of the outbreak, the IFRC has delivered 23 Safe and Dignified Burial(SDB)kits, which can support over450 burials, and over 300 body bags,in addition tothe essentialsuppliesprepositioned in the area.These early deliveriesfaced the complexities of testing new supply chain corridors,given the remote geography of the area,security challenges,theclosure of localairports,and thecomplexstatus of the road network.As needs are growing, the supply chain operation is scaling up. Bythe first half of July,the IFRCestimatesthe delivery ofa total of 181 SDBkits(supporting over 3,600 burials),16,450 body bags, 550 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, and24vehiclesin DRC and neighboring countries.These shipments willarrive in phasesin EntebbeInternationalairport, in Uganda,and inJomoKenyattaInternationalairport in Nairobiand will then be transported via land to Bunia,Ituriprovince; a trip that can lastoverseven days.Safe andDignifiedBurialand PPEkits, as well as bodybags,are not justoperationalgoods,butfrontline public healthtools that protect health experts,Red Crossvolunteers, and communities from the spreading of the virus.Importantly, they are alsoan act of respect for families in their most painful moments. Getting these supplies toRed Crossteams in eastern DRCiscritical to allow them tosafelyand respectfully serve their communities.The IFRC calls on the international community, donors and partners to support theregional emergency appealto ensure that communities in DRC and across the region receive the full scope of life-saving assistance they urgently need.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected]  In Bunia: Alex Lock, +243 859 795 302 In Nairobi:  Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654    In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367 | Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 8396 

Fighting Ebola: IFRC and Red Cross scale up in DRC and Uganda

'This gives us hope': How climate-resilient farming is helping communities in southeastern Zimbabwe reclaim food security in the face of drought and a capricious climate

IFRC delivers critical supplies to eastern DRC amid ongoing Ebola outbreak

Kinshasa/Nairobi/Geneva,04June2026-The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)has deliveredon 3 Junea critical shipmentofSafe and Dignified Burial (SDB) kits and body bagstoBunia, in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the ongoing Ebola outbreak continues to claim lives and strain already fragile health systems.Thisshipmentwas airlifted from Dubai to Entebbe (Uganda) andthendepartedfor Bunia by road on 29 May 2026. Itcontained13 SDB kits, supportingapproximately 300 safe and dignified burials. The land route from Entebbe to Bunia takes approximately seven days, underscoring the logistical complexity of reaching affected populations in this remote part of the country.A second shipment, pre-positioned in Kinshasa, is scheduled to arrive in Bunia by air within the week. With the airport now reopened, operational goods can be delivered more quickly. The cargo includes 10 SDB kits and 300 body bags.Theseshipments, part of a broader CHF 2.2 million procurement effort, willprovideoperational equipmentneeded by Red Cross teams tocontinue performingsafe and dignified burials,one of the most vital tools incontainingthe spread of Ebola.“EverySafe and Dignified Burialkit that arrives, and every burial conducted safely and respectfully, helps break a potential chain of transmission. Our volunteers are working in extraordinarily difficult conditions, and they need all the support we can provide, including these supplies, now,” said Bruno Michon, IFRC Ebola response Operations Manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo.Safe and dignified burials are not just a logistical task — they are a frontline public health intervention and an act of respect for families in their most painful moments. Getting these supplies to our teams in eastern DRC is a race against the virus.The IFRC calls onthe international community,donorsand partners to support the regional emergency appeal to ensure that communities in DRC and across the region receive the full scope of life-savingassistancethey urgently need.Link to photos: https://shared.ifrc.org/collections/~2e8af4bc27For more information or to set up an interview contact:[email protected] Kinshasa: Catherine Kamatu, +254 728 815 266In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654  In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 4367 | Paolo Cravero +41 79 894 8396

Uneven rains, unequal impact: Drought and hunger in Northern Kenya. The IFRC and the Kenya Red Cross respond.

Africa: Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak 2026

Africa: Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak 2026

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is rapidly escalating, with cases and deaths continuing to rise as the virus spreads across multiple provinces and into neighboring Uganda. Families and communities urgently need access to reliable health information, early detection, safe burials, and lifesaving public health support to prevent further transmission and protect overwhelmed health systems. Donate today to help the DRC and Uganda Red Cross Societies to provide life-saving assistance.Read more: IFRC delivers critical supplies to eastern DRC amid ongoing Ebola outbreak

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

'A crisis in motion': IFRC sounds alarm as Sudan's humanitarian needs escalate

Port Sudan/Nairobi/Geneva,13April 2026—The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) warnsthatshifting patterns of displacement and returnin Sudancreate rapidly evolving humanitarian needs across the country.Three years into the conflict, millions of people arenow bothfleeing violenceandmany arereturning to devastated communities. In contrast,others continue to be displaced,reshaping humanitarian needs and forcing aid actors to adapt in real time.Sudanremainsthe largest displacement crisis in the world, with millions forced from their homes and an estimated 33 million people in need of humanitarianassistancein 2026.Yetas needs continue to grow, funding is declining, threatening humanitarian actors' abilityto respond effectively.ThierryBalloy,IFRCHead of DelegationinSudan,said:“The needs are immense and changing every day. Many families, mostly womenalone with their children,have fled multiple times over the past three years. Today, we see people returning to areas where basic services no longer exist — no water, no healthcare, no schools.We call on the international community to show solidarity and support the humanitarian response.We cannot leave affected communities inSudan to face this crisis alone”.A crisis in motion: displacement and return collideThe conflict has continuously shifted across Sudan, from Khartoum to Darfur and the Kordofan states, driving repeated waves of displacement. At the same time, growing numbers of people are returning home,often to find their homesdestroyedandinfrastructure and basic servicesseverely diminished or absent. For many families, the choice isunimaginable: remain displaced with limitedsupport orreturn to communities where “there is nothing left to go back to”.Despite this, people continue to return,rebuilding their lives from scratch, often without access to water, healthcare, or livelihoods.Rapidly adaptingthe responseThe IFRC and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) are adjusting their operations to support displaced people,returneesand host communities at the same time. Flexible cashassistancehas become essential, enabling families to meet their most urgent needs.Expanding andmaintainingthis approach will be critical to meet rapidly evolving needs andpreventfurther deterioration of living conditions.AhmedAltayebSuliman,Secretary General, Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS) said:“Cashassistanceallows families to make impossible choices — whether to feed their children, access healthcare, or restart their lives. But the needs areoverwhelming. Sudan cannot be forgotten.”In this context,the IFRC isfocusing the response on:Health,waterandsanitation:Emergency health services, includingmental health, andmobile clinics to reach underserved areas.Water,sanitationand hygiene support to reduce disease risks Cash distribution. A safe,efficientand dignified way to support people in vulnerable situations. Immediaterelief,foodandwater forfamilies facing severe shortages.As needs evolve, so too must the response.A regional crisis: spillover across bordersAt the same time, growing insecurity, new displacement flows, and access constraints are compounding humanitarian needs across the region.More than4.5 million peoplehave fled toneighbouringcountries. Overcrowding,insecurity,and limited resources are deepening vulnerabilities for both refugees and host communities.The regional impact of the Sudan crisis continues to intensify, placing growing pressure on already fragile neighbouring contexts.Fundingurgently neededIn a crisis defined by constant change, the IFRC calls for increased, flexible funding that can be quickly redirected as needs shift.Thehumanitarian responseremainscriticallyunderfunded,and funds areurgentlyneeded.Without sustained international attention and support, millions of people will continue to face deepening humanitarian needs, both within Sudan and across the region.Note to editors:Visuals:Additionalphotos and video available here:From Sudan:LINKFrom the surroundingcountries: LINKFor more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Sudan: Anette Andresen,+47415 19 115  +249 11 005 9003In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu,+254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa,+41 79 708 43 67

Water without fear: Special World Water Day reporting from South Sudan, where local Red Cross teams provide water that helps thousands stay safer and healthier in the midst of conflict and drought.

Under pressure: Special World Water Day reporting from camps in eastern Chad, where refugees are coping with extreme heat, water scarcity, and rising food prices.

'It brings me peace of mind': Amid drought in southern Zambia, Red Cross support provided a 20-litre lifeline of hygiene and hope

The power of women and water: Special World Water Day report on the ways women in rural Togo are making their community safer through the power of easily accessible clean and safe water.

'They know I will come': How a unique initiative – powered by local women – improved community health and left a lasting legacy of trust in central Zimbabwe

Cameroon: Food Insecurity 2026

Life after Ebola: The stories of survivors highlight the pain people have endured — and the work still to be done.

Mauritania: Vital aid strengthening solidarity between people on the move and the families who host them

In Rosso, Mauritania, on the banks of the Senegal River, the constant back and forth of pirogues and ferries shapes daily life. Every day, hundreds of people cross the river, linking this Mauritanian city to its Senegalese twin of the same name on the opposite bank.Rosso’s strategic position makes it a major economic and migratory crossroads between Mauritania and Senegal—a gateway to the south and a transit point for sub-Saharan migrants heading towards the Maghreb and Europe.In recent months, the city has faced a growing influx of people on the move. Many arrive exhausted from long journeys, lacking access to drinking water, sufficient food, or safe shelter.Humanitarian service points: Lifelines in transitTo respond to these urgent needs, the Mauritanian Red Crescent has established two Humanitarian Service Points (HSPs)—one at the Rosso pier and another at the local committee headquarters. For many migrants in transit, these spaces have become lifelines offering essential services.“We provide them with food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and phone services for those seeking to contact loved ones,” explains Mohamed Ould Lemine, Head of Volunteer and Migration Programmes at the Mauritanian Red Crescent. “But the daily increase in arrivals quickly overwhelmed our capacity.” Host families: The front line of solidarityBehind this visible humanitarian emergency lies another, quieter strain—that faced by host families in Rosso. These households, already struggling with limited resources, are often the first to extend a helping hand to migrants and displaced people, embodying the spirit of solidarity.To support both migrants and the communities that welcome them, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mobilized 375,000 Swiss francs through its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF). This assistance aims to reach 4,500 migrants and 600 vulnerable host families, thereby strengthening local mutual aid capacities and social cohesion.A more equitable and inclusive responseFar from the bustle of the river crossing, dozens of Mauritanian Red Crescent volunteers are at work across several neighborhoods of Rosso-ville, distributing cash assistance to 600 vulnerable host families. This financial support helps households meet their most urgent needs and regain a sense of stability.“It was time for humanitarian actors to think of us too. This is the first aid we have received,” says Mohamed Tahet Ould Sidi, head of the Haye Nezaha 1 neighborhood in the outskirts of Rosso, expressing a long-felt sense of neglect.In the courtyard of his home, temporarily transformed into a distribution site, hope flickers anew. Under the scorching sun, women—many of them the sole breadwinners for their families—line up to receive support that can make a world of difference.“Before, we lived simply but managed to get by,” says Salma Hemet, 54, a mother of seven from the Jadida neighborhood. “Then everything became difficult: the prices of rice and sugar went up, and our income disappeared.”Building shared resilienceFor the IFRC and the Mauritanian Red Crescent, this integrated approach reflects a long-term vision—one that sees assistance not as charity, but as an investment in shared resilience.“By supporting both migrants and host families, we recognize their crucial role,” explains Makan Boubacar Sissao, IFRC Migration Programme Officer, referring to the support that host families provide.“We are not just distributing aid; we are strengthening social cohesion and helping communities build resilience together.”

'Life feels more stable': In Zimbabwe, Red Cross helps farming communities cope with prolonged drought

Rising temperatures and increasingly erratic rainfall have reshaped Zimbabwe’s climate, with droughts now striking every two to three years instead of once a decade. The result: 2.7 million rural Zimbabweans face recurrent food insecurity.As the global climate crisis accelerates, hitting the South earliest and hardest, humanitarian responses are evolving from short-term relief to long-term resilience.“We are now moving from responding to disasters to addressing them proactively and also building the capacities of our communities to be resilient,” says Thulani Sibanda, Provincial Manager withthe Zimbabwe Red Cross Society.That shift underpins the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society’s contribution to the Africa Zero Hunger campaign.Recently launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Africa Zero Hunger reframes food security interventions away from episodic relief and toward long-term, community-driven projects.“Our animals are stronger and fetch better prices . . . With the extra income, we can pay school fees and buy inputs for the next season. Life feels more stable now.”Kelias Munkuli, a farmer in Siameja Village, ZimbabweStrengthening livelihoodsZimbabwe’s approach to food insecurity involves several concrete interventions that combine local knowledge, anticipatory action, and practical support.The Climate Smart Resilience Project, rolled out by the Zimbabwe Red Cross in Binga District in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North, is one such example.Using El Niño forecasts and satellite data, the Climate Smart Resilience Project team is able to direct specific resources to the right communities before droughts strike.In 2023, when drought conditions worsened, the project focused on livelihood protections like drought-tolerant seed distribution, livestock deworming, and community education.Over 4,000 households received training in climate-smart agriculture along with seed packs, and 2,800 cattle were vaccinated and dewormed.“The quality of cattle and the reduction in deaths in those areas are evident compared to others. We also trained local para-vets to support animal health,” says Thulani.“Communities practicing conservation farming with pearl millet had better yields than other regions. These success stories encourage replication elsewhere.”The farmers who benefited from these interventions have found renewed independence:“Our animals are stronger and fetch better prices,” explains Kelias Munkuli from Siameja Village. “With the extra income, we can pay school fees and buy inputs for the next season. Life feels more stable now.”“With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children. It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”52-year-old Monica Mpande, from Mupambe village, ZimbabweAdapting to changing needsWhen drought conditions worsened again in 2024, focus group discussions held by the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society revealed deep community concerns about children’s well-being, particularly the growing risks of hunger and malnutrition.The school feeding program was launched to make sure that children facing hunger received nutritious, fortified meals that helped them stay healthy and keep attending school. This became a vital lifeline to protect the most vulnerable while longer-term solutions took root.The intervention provided daily Corn Soya Blend (CSB) meals to over 5,378 children. Beyond schools, 3,400 vulnerable families also received life-saving food aid.For 52-year-old Monica Mpande, who lives in Mupambe village, food aid is more than just a meal. It provides parents with the means to prioritise their children’s education.“With this food assistance, I can save a little money to buy books for my children,” she says. “It gives me hope that we’ll get through this.”Looking aheadAs the Africa Zero Hunger campaign grows, collaboration remains central: building durable livelihoods, strengthening community ownership, and ensuring that adaptation strategies are designed with those who know the land best.“Communities are stakeholders, not passive recipients of aid. They’re at the center of our planning, programming, and implementation,” says Thulani.“We are now in a position to apply for early action funds to start community preparedness in the likely events we’re predicting, for instance, drought next year. We can start now by teaching adaptive agricultural practices, like conservation farming.”Join us in ending food insecurity in Africa. Explore the Africa Zero Hunger Campaign, share our stories, and be part of building resilient, self-reliant communities.

Farmers in Kenya fight food insecurity by making their own, low-cost animal feeds

Kenya’s food crisis has deepened, with an estimated 2.8 million people facing severe acute food insecurity in 2025, according to the Global Report on Food Crises 2025. For many farmers in Kenya, the struggle isn’t just about growing food; it’s about keeping their livestock alive when feed prices soar beyond reach.That’s what inspired a group of farmers in Taita Taveta County to start producing their own animal feed: a simple yet powerful idea supported by the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) through its Integrated Food Security and Livelihood (IFSL) Project.“Most Kenyans are practicing subsistence farming,” explains Lucy Sembei, programme manager at the Kenya Red Cross Society.“They may never get to place where farming allows them to meet their economic needs. So at Kenya Red Cross, we took a moment to think strategically about how to better support communities in slow-onset emergencies as well.”Innovation at the grassrootsInitially, the Kenya Red Cross provided poultry feed as part of its emergency relief support. But as drought worsened and feed prices climbed — a 90-kilogram bag of maize reached nearly USD 50 in early 2025 — communities found themselves dependent on aid once again.“As long as they depended on the Red Cross to buy feed, their food security would last only as long as the project. Beyond that, they wouldn’t be able to continue poultry farming,” says Sembei.So, rather than stepping in with another short-term fix, Sembei and her team decided to work with farmers and technical experts to design a lasting solution.Together with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and input from the community, the Kenya Red Cross introduced farmers to two game-changing feed ingredients: black soldier fly larvae and azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern. Both are high in protein, easy to cultivate locally, and require minimal inputs.“[The black soldier fly] is a type of insect that’s extremely rich in protein,” says Sembei. “The eggs produced by hens fed on black soldier flies are far more nutritious than those raised on commercial feed, and the feed itself is cheap and easy for farmers to produce.”Training sessions helped farmers learn how to set up small-scale production systems, using simple materials to cultivate both the larvae and azolla at home. Soon, farmers were experimenting with different feed combinations and sharing their success with neighboring communities.“We went for training and received a donation of 30 chickens. Now I have sixty chickens. I sell eggs, I sell chicks. I can now pay my bills and school fees for my grandchildren.”Jane Mbula, one of the participants in the Kenya Red Cross programmeA meaningful impactThe project has had a meaningful impact on both food security and local livelihoods since its launch in 2021. Now, the 135 farmers supported by the project produce an average of six trays of eggs per month, using them for household consumption and selling the surplus at KSh 450 per tray.Through project-backed innovations, such as egg incubation for chick production and Azolla farming for protein-rich, low-cost feed, farmers have boosted egg yield and quality while cutting commercial feed use from four bags per week to just one in areas like Bura Ndogo and Malukiloriti.One beneficiary, Jane Mbula, explains: “We went for training and received a donation of 30 chickens. Now I have sixty chickens. I sell eggs, I sell chicks. I can now pay my bills and school fees for my grandchildren.”Beyond poultry farming, the project has achieved broad, far-reaching results across Taita Taveta County.So far, 3,405 people have participated; including 600 crop farmers, 2,000 sunflower growers, 80 beekeepers, 300 goat keepers, 40 rabbit farmers, and 150 mothers and 250 youth engaged in nutrition and savings schemes.As Sembei explains: “As we work in this space, our focus is on making food production more affordable for communities. Now that we’re encouraging durable, sustainable solutions, we’re also asking: how can communities produce without having to invest more than they can afford?That’s something we’re doing very deliberately — not on our own, but in close consultation with communities, research institutions, and learning centers across the country. The goal is to identify what’s already within reach, so that communities can continue their work independently, even beyond project funding.”The road to Zero HungerThe Integrated Food Security Project is one of several programs receiving support from the Africa Zero Hunger campaign, recently launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).The campaign shines a light on sustainable, community-driven solutions, highlighting the importance of investing in programs that strengthen local resilience and address the root causes of food insecurity across Africa.

Somalia: Complex Emergency

Somalia is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with over 2.5 million people in Puntland and Somaliland struggling to survive amid extreme drought, collapsing health systems, and severe food and water shortages. Families have lost their livelihoods, children are at risk of malnutrition and disease, and women and girls face heightened protection risks as community coping mechanisms collapse. The Somali Red Crescent Society is on the ground providing life-saving water, food, health services, and cash assistance, but urgent support is needed to scale up and reach more families in need.Donate now to help the Somali Red Crescent provide life-saving assistance.

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

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

Fighting hunger through the power of motherhood and fatherhood

This episode Red Vest podcast takes you on an immersive audio journey to remote villages in northern Nigeria. There, you will meet groups of mothers and fathers who are challenging social norms in order to tackle a severe, persistent hunger crisis and improve the health of their communities. We’ll also introduce you to another very important character known as “Tom Brown.” But you’ll have to listen to the episode to learn how Tom Brown is helping to bring thousands of children back from the brink of severe malnutrition.

New podcast episode: Fighting hunger through the power of motherhood and fatherhood

Somalia: IFRC launches CHF 25 million appeal as drought deepens humanitarian crisis

Nairobi, 7 October 2025— The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 25 million Swiss francs to help the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) respond to a worsening humanitarian crisis that has left millions struggling for survival amid failed rains, food shortages, and collapsing local systems.Naemi Heita, IFRC Head of Delegation, Nairobi Country Cluster for Kenya and Somalia, said:“This climate-driven drought is deepening an already complex humanitarian crisis, stripping communities of water, food, and fodder. SRCS volunteers remain on the frontlines, committed to helping their neighbours.”A crisis that’s far from seasonalSomalia remains one of the world’s most complex humanitarian contexts, shaped by decades of conflict, economic fragility and climate extremes.The country is grappling with the aftermath of its worst drought in 40 years and catastrophic floods in 2023. The failedGurains (April – June) triggered new drought declarations, while forecasts warn thatDeyrrains (October – December) will also fall short. More than 2.5 million people are facing severe shortages of food, water and essential services.Health centres are closing, displacement is rising, and community coping mechanisms – once a vital safety net – are now at a breaking point. Some communities have been relying on sharing scarce resources, migrating in search of water and pasture, selling livestock, and reducing meals, but these strategies are no longer enough.After years of recurring droughts and limited recovery time, these traditional safety nets are collapsing, leaving families with no options and in urgent need of sustained, life-saving support.Local responders on the frontlinesDespite insecurity, damaged roads and shrinking funds, the Somali Red Crescent Society continues to reach those most in need.With over 1,000 staff and 20,000 volunteers across 18 branches, SRCS provides health care, clean water, sanitation, shelter, and food support, often in areas inaccessible to others. In 2024 alone, SRCS reached 1.2 million people, demonstrating its unmatched community reach and trust.Yusuf Hassan, President, Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS), said:“This appeal is an urgent call to the international community to help sustain life-saving operations, as communities exhaust their final coping strategies and essential services scale down. We must act now to protect lives, save livelihoods, and offer a chance for recovery and hope.”Scaling up the responseThe IFRC emergency appeal will enable the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) to scale up life-saving and early recovery efforts across the country. This includes restoring clean water, improving sanitation, supporting food and livelihood recovery, and delivering essential health and nutrition services.All activities will integrate protection, gender, and inclusion to ensure communities are supported safely and with dignity. The IFRC and SRCS are urging donors, governments, and partners to stand with the people of Somalia and help close the growing funding gap.Note to editors:Audiovisual materials of the emergency response are available for download.For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Nairobi:SRCS:Abdulkadir Afi:+254 725 687 768IFRC:Timothy Maina:+254 110 848 161 Susan Mbalu:+254 733 827 654In Geneva:Tommaso Della Longa:+41 79 708 43 67 Nora Peter:+36 70 953 7709

Africa Zero Hunger campaign: The post-aid approach to food insecurity

Food insecurity is an escalating crisis on the African continent. Many of its most vulnerable people are reliant on emergency aid, which does little to address the systemic causes of widespread hunger.For Pierre Kremer, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Regional office, Deputy Regional Director, the Africa Zero Hunger campaign represents something completely different: a shift from short-term fixes to investment in long-term solutions.Solutions backed by local knowledgeWith 48 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, more than 16,000 local branches, and more than 16 million volunteers deeply embedded in communities, Kremer and his colleagues have a unique vantage point on how hunger is lived and solved in Africa.When Kremer talks about tackling food insecurity, he doesn’t start with aid shipments or top-down plans. He starts with people.“The goal is to give a voice to communities that are well placed to ‘engineer’ or co-create solutions to meet their multifaceted needs based on their local knowledge,” he explains.In this way, the Africa Zero Hunger campaign represents a “solutions bank”, a growing collection of proven, community-led initiatives that show what works against food insecurity on the ground. From livestock sharing schemes in Rwanda to Mother’s Clubs in Nigeria, these solutions are practical, replicable, and already changing lives.“This campaign reflects a post-aid approach, focusing on durable solutions generated by the impacted communities themselves,” says Kremer.Building a coalition of the willingBut for these local solutions to move beyond a single village or district, they need more than recognition. They need investment, partnerships, and political will.“The objective is to create a coalition of the willing, from local communities to national governments and global actors, working alongside African institutions, the private sector, and UN agencies to ramp up efforts toward Zero Hunger,” Kremer explains.The first phase of the campaign is already underway, with case studies, media assets, and community stories being documented across six priority countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, Mali, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria.The mid-term plan is to expand this into an online multi-agency platform. This digital hub would act as the home of the solutions bank, a space where the National Societies can deposit solutions, and where donors, investors, and partners can connect directly with them.What’s missing is not ideas, but the support to take them further. Creating a bank of solutions offers a ready-made platform for governments, donors, and partners to back what works, directly at community level. For Kremer, this will allow us to move beyond aid and build the foundations for lasting food security across Africa.Ways to get involvedYou can help take community-led solutions from one community to many. Donors can support Africa Zero Hunger directly and help turn local solutions into wider change. And if giving isn’t an option, you can still make an impact by sharing these stories, sparking conversations, and adding your voice to the call for Zero Hunger in Africa.Join the Zero Hunger Campaign:Africa Zero Hunger: United for durable solutionsConfronting alarming food insecurity trends in Africa: An expert’s viewFrom short-term aid to long-term strength: Launching Africa Zero Hunger