Double disaster duty: Three months ago, a devastating typhoon hit a part of the Philippines that had just suffered a catastrophic earthquake. As always, volunteers in hard-hit communities played a critical role.

Climate of storms: A string of recent super storms expose the human costs of a warming world

Even in places where tropical storms are normal a part of life, the destructive power of Hurricane Melissa and the two recent Typhoons in the Philippines came as a shock to the millions of people who lived through them. When Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica, for example, it was classified as a Category 5 — the strongest storm the island nation has ever experienced. Why are tropical storms like Melissa becoming so severe? And why are they becoming so frequent? Perhaps most importantly, what can we do about it? These are some of the questions we tackle through recorded interviews with people on the front lines of the storm's impact and with three special guests who are experts in the field of emergency preparedness, disaster response and the science of climate change.

Philippines earthquake: 30 seconds and a life turned upside down

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

In the eye of Typhoon Kalmaegi

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

From earthquake to typhoons: Philippines struggles against relentless catastrophes 

Manila/Kuala Lumpur, 10 November 2025 – The Philippines is grappling with an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as back-to-back disasters devastate communities already struggling to recover. In just over a month, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Cebu, followed by Typhoon Kalmaegi (local name Tino), have left millions reeling. While on Sunday, Super Typhoon Fungwong (local name Uwan), passed over the country, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.In the face of these multiple humanitarian disasters, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched a revised Emergency Appeal, in support of the Philippine Red Cross, scaling up operations to assist 284,904 people across multiple provinces.The appeal seeks CHF 18 million (up from CHF 8 million) to provide emergency shelter, health and WASH services, and livelihood support. However, funding is critically low, threatening the ability to deliver life-saving aid.“Humanitarian needs are soaring, but resources are dwindling,” said Sanjeev Kafley, IFRC Head of Delegation for the Philippines. “Without urgent support, thousands will be left without shelter, clean water, or food. We cannot allow disaster fatigue to overshadow the suffering of millions.”“The resilience of communities is being tested to its absolute limits,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross. “We were already supporting families who lost everything in the earthquake, and now hundreds of thousands more people have been displaced by flooding and landslides. With another storm approaching, the situation is dire.”The people of the Philippines have endured much in recent weeks. On 30 September, an earthquake struck Cebu, killing 79 people, injuring 559, and damaging more than 134,000 homes, including 7,295 completely destroyed. Infrastructure losses are estimated at ₱6.76 billion (CHF92.2 million), and over 747,000 individuals were affected, according to government figures.As families began piecing their lives back together, Typhoon Kalmaegi slammed into the same region and beyond, making eight landfalls across Visayas and Palawan between 4–5 November. The storm affected more than 2.4 million people and the number of dead, injured and missing continues to rise as more information comes in from affected provinces.More than 377,000 people are still in crowded evacuation centres or temporary shelters days after the typhoon moved on, while residual floodwaters with strong current and massive amounts of debris are hampering search and rescue efforts. Lifelines remain disrupted, with power outages in 156 municipalities and water interruptions in seven cities, heightening risks of disease outbreaks.And now the country is reeling from the aftermath of Super Typhoon Fungwong – the 21st tropical cyclone this year. As of 10 November, Fungwong has affected 230,000 families across the archipelago and killed two persons.The Philippines is prone to disasters, but this sequence of catastrophes is not routine - it is a stark reminder of the escalating climate and seismic risks faced by vulnerable nations. Urgent support is needed to scale up relief efforts, prevent further loss of life and support the country as it recovers from this latest disaster.Note to editors:Visuals: Additional photos and video available here.For more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Manila: Ellie van Baaren, +63 960 665 9637In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 192 713 641 In Geneva: Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

Philippines: Earthquake and Typhoons

The Philippine province of Cebu was still reeling from the devastation of a magnitude 6.9 earthquake, when it was struck by a powerful Tyhpoon Kalmaegi (known locally as Tino) along with eight other nearby provinces. Since that time, Super Typhoon Fungwong (local name Uwan), also passed over the country, leaving a trail of devastation.  This revised emergency appeal expands the earlier Cebu Earthquake emergency operation from a single-province, earthquake-focused response to a multiple-province, multi-hazard intervention addressing the combined impacts of the earthquake, the recent storms, and typhoons still expected in this season. The scale-up prioritises integrated assistance – shelter and livelihoods, health, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene – to address rapidly rising needs among displaced populations and hardest-hit communities. Reflecting this significant scale-up, the overall funding requirement has increased from CHF 8 million to CHF 18 million. The target number of families to be assisted has also expanded from 14,588 to 56,981.

Philippines: Earthquake and Typhoons

Red Cross launches emergency appeal as needs soar following devastating Cebu Earthquake in the Philippines

Manila/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva,2 October2025–The 6.9magnitudeearthquake that struck off the coast of Bogo City, Cebu,in the Philippineson 30 September has left a trail of destruction-thousands of families are now in desperate need of food, clean water, shelter, and medical care. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for CHF 8 million to support the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), which is on the ground delivering lifesavingassistanceto affected communities. “Our teams were on the move within hours of the quake, thanks to our strong network of trained staff and dedicated volunteers,”said Gwen Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross.With the supportof IFRC, the PRC teams have been deployed toconductrapid assessments,providefirst aid, clean water,foodandpsychosocial support. It has alsodeployedrescue vehicles, generators, and blood units. “The needs areimmense, but we continue to strive to provide the much-neededassistanceto those affected by the earthquake.We urgently need support to sustain and scale up our operations.” Access to the most affected mountainous areasremainsasignificant challenge due to damaged roads, while ongoing aftershocks continue to pose a threat tosafety and delay rescue and relief efforts. Critical infrastructure and lifelines are currently non-operational in some areas. Despite having one of the most robust preparedness systems in the country,with 102 chapters nationwide, over 1,900 staff, and more than 541,000 volunteers,the PRCis under immense pressure. Just months ago, it was responding to multiple typhoons and storms across the country. Now, as it continues to aid earthquake-affected communities, PRCremainson high alert as new weather systems threaten otherareas. “This is a compounding crisis,climate emergencies, disasters, and now an earthquake,all hitting communities already under stress,”saidSanjeev Kafley,Head of Delegation for the IFRC in the Philippines.“We are committed to supporting the Philippine Red Cross in this emergency and throughout the long road to recovery. But we urgently need theinternationalcommunity’s help to meet immediate needs and support a sustainable, dignified recovery.” From Response to Recovery: A Two-Year Plan to Rebuild LivesTo ensure long-term recovery, PRC and IFRC are rolling out a two-yearcomprehensiverecovery plan that goes beyond short-term aid. This initiative will provide access to safe shelter, medical care, clean water, psychosocial support, and livelihood restoration,ensuring communities can rebuild not just their homes, but their lives. TheIFRCis calling on donors, partners, and the publicto help scale up its response, reaching more people, faster, and sustaining support well into the recovery phase.“Filipino communities are incredibly resilient,butwecannot recover alone,”Pang added.“With your support, we can rebuild stronger and ensure no one is left behind.”For more information or to request an interview, please contact:[email protected] Lumpur:AfrhillRances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva:Nora Peter, +36 70 953 7709

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

Ready for the rains: Philippine Red Cross scales up emergency preparedness ahead of typhoon season

As the Philippines prepares for another rainy season, which typically sees an average of 20 typhoons each year—of which eight to nine make landfall—the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is once again taking the lead in disaster preparedness and response. Supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and its membership, PRC is intensifying its efforts to protect the country's most vulnerable communities.According to the 2024 World Risk Index (WRI), the Philippines has been ranked as the most disaster-prone country in the world for the 16th consecutive year, facing a complex array of threats including typhoons, earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions, and conflicts. In anticipation of these challenges, the PRC has strategically prepositioned life-saving resources and activated community-based volunteer networks across the nation.“Preparedness saves lives, and PRC’s readiness today is a reflection of decades of investment in local capacity, supported by Movement partners,” said Gwendolyn Pang, Secretary General of the Philippine Red Cross.The PRC operates through its 101 chapters and a 24/7 Operations Centre, coordinating more than a million trained volunteers and staff. With support from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the PRC has increased its warehouse stock of relief items, ready for rapid deployment through its extensive logistics fleet, which includes eight regional warehouses, 140 ambulances, 29 water tankers, 36 food trucks, amphibious vehicles, rescue boats, response motorcycles, as well as a dedicated drone and satellite internet communications network. In addition, the organization maintains 17 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) hubs equipped with mobile purification systems and emergency water bladders—crucial resources as storm surges and floods increasingly impact coastal communities and landslide situations in mountainous areas.Emergency medical services have been fully mobilized, featuring three field hospitals, 128 medical tents, and 5,700 medical corps volunteers. These services are supported by 109 blood facilities, mobile health units and vaccination buses, along with agreements with the Department of Health and private transport companies to enhance mass casualty readiness. Central to the PRC's efforts is its Red Cross 143 program, which trains local leaders and at least 44 volunteers in each barangay (village). This grassroots network is essential for disseminating early warning messages, conducting rapid assessments, and providing first response during typhoons, floods, and landslides.Furthermore, PRC has pioneered anticipatory action with Early Action Protocols (EAPs) for typhoons and floods, enabling interventions up to 72 hours before a disaster strikes. In 2024 alone, shelter strengthening kits were installed in advance of Typhoon Marce in Cagayan and Super Typhoon Pepito in Aurora, Quirino, Isabela, and Northern Samar, minimizing damage and protecting families.These proactive measures have been made possible through the IFRC’s anticipatory funding mechanisms, which allocated nearly CHF 535,000 for readiness and pre-emptive relief. The Philippine Red Cross’s ability to act swiftly relies on the continued support of its partners.From early action financing to long-term resilience programming, sustained investments are necessary to keep communities safe as climate threats intensify.“We’re proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with PRC,” said Sanjeev Kafley, Head IFRC Country Delegation. “Their leadership in anticipatory action and community preparedness is not only saving lives but also setting a global benchmark.” He added “In light of the six consecutive cyclones in six weeks' time span that impacted the country last year, it is imperative that we collectively strengthen coordination among all stakeholders. Doing so will ensure effective resource mobilization and timely dissemination of critical information to those most in need. We reiterate the need to reinforce collaboration, invest in preparedness, and remain proactive in safeguarding the most vulnerable populations.”As the skies darken and storms loom, the Philippine Red Cross stands ready—not just to respond, but to take action before, during, and after disasters strike. Always first, always ready, always there.

Disaster preparedness: When help is far away, being ready is even more critical

Imagine being the person in charge of coordinating emergency response across a vast oceanic region in which it often takes weeks – and sometimes even months – for critical supplies to arrive by boat or plane.This is just one of the challenges that Maciu Nokelevu faces almost every day as IFRC’s Senior Disaster Risk Management Officer for the Pacific."Our daily job is to organize logistics and access to the most isolated islands in the Pacific, ensuring we are prepared to respond to emergencies,” says Nokelevu.While countries like Fiji have better access due to their long standing status as a hub for tourism, the vast Pacific Ocean region poses significant challengesfor National Societies on the smaller, lesser frequented islands. “When international procurement is needed, aid can take over three months to arrive, far too long for an urgent crisis,” says Nokelevu.On top of that, communication failures also disrupt response efforts. "After cyclones, damaged infrastructure often cuts off headquarters from affected islands, making coordination extremely difficult,"Nokelevu explains.In this context, strengthening the preparedness levels of local communities and Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies has proven to be key, particularly as climate-related emergencies are increasingly frequent and severe.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.For this reason, the IFRC and its network of volunteers have been working hard to ensure volunteers are well trained and ample supplies are stored close by. This allows response efforts to begin immediately, well before any external or international support arrives.“Through volunteer training, simulation exercises, and risk assessments, National Societies can identify vulnerabilities and enhance their response capacity,” Nokelevu continues. “Coordination with governments and humanitarian partners ensures a unified approach to overcoming logistical and communication barriers.”A decentralized, local and fast responseA half a world away, Munguntuya Sharavnyambuu faces similar challenges – albeit in a very different environment. AsDirector of the Climate Change and Disaster Management department for the Mongolian Red Cross Society(MRCS), she regularlyexperiences flash floods, sandstorms, snowstorms, and forest fires.These emergencies often strike in remote areas where access to basic services is limited. One of most challenges is something known as the “dzud”, an extreme cold spell.“A Dzud is one of the most devastating hazards in Mongolia, with temperatures dropping below -30°C," she explains, adding that cold spells often also bring heavy snowfall and strong winds. “The winter of 2023-2024 recorded the highest snowfall in 49 years, covering 90 per cent of the country. This severely impacted herder communities because it caused there to be very limited grazing opportunities for animals.”“To address these challenges, the MRCS prioritizes preparedness by training volunteers and staff, pre-positioning emergency supplies, and decentralizing response efforts to ensure aid reaches communities within the critical first 72 hours of a disaster.” Built on experienceBeing ready for potential emergencies is critical everywhere. But its importance is often heightened in a region where entire countries can be cut off from the outside world. That is something that emergency responders in Tonga experienced firsthand when the country experiencedvolcanic eruptionand tsunamiin 2022.When the disaster struck, it severed undersea communication cables and filled the atmosphere with volcanic ash, blocking satellite signals. For 72 hours, Tonga was completely cut off from the world.Despite the communication blackout, response efforts were already on the ground. According to Maciu, this case underscores the vital role of National Society preparedness.“Years of emergency response training, contingency planning, preparedness exercises, and readiness simulations ensured that volunteers on the ground could take immediate action such as clearing airport runways and coordinating relief efforts, even before external aid could reach the islands,” concludes Maciu.The effort to enhance preparedness in the region is not new, however. The IFRC’s 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference, held in Vietnam in 2023, served as a pivotal platform for National Societies to deepen their shared understanding of risk and preparedness strategies in an era marked by climate change and other emerging hazards.The conference endorsed the Hanoi Call for Action, which seeks to strengthen individual and collective preparedness for crisis response."It is critical to invest in preparedness to maintain an appropriate level of readiness for effective responses,”adds Felipe del Cid, Lead andThematic Expert on Evolving Crises and Disasters at the IFRC Asia Pacific office in Kuala Lumpur. “Investing in this today will define how effectively the world can respond to the crises of tomorrow.”By Olivia AcostaRead more:Disaster and crisis preparedness at the IFRCIFRC’s approach to localization

Philippines: Despite their own losses, volunteers kept showing up to help others

When six typhoons roared through the Philippines late last year, it was the Philippine Red Cross volunteers who showed up time and time again. Typhoon Kristine was the first to arrive, pounding communities with months of rainfall in just two days, triggering catastrophic landslides and submerging entire neighbourhoods.Barely had the storm passed when another hit, and then another. Typhoons Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito (all in local names) struck within days of each other, wiping out homes, possessions, and livelihoods.And as soon as there was access, Philippine Red Cross volunteers sprang into action. Equipped with boats and ropes, they started search and rescue efforts, pulling people to safety. Then, as people headed to evacuation centres, they served hot meals, provided clean water, conducted health checks, and offered psychosocial support to those overwhelmed by their losses.Many of the local volunteers and their families were themselves affected by the destruction, and after days and weeks of response, the level of exhaustion was beyond what anyone expected. And yet, they kept turning up day after day for their shifts.Ready to actOne of those volunteers was James Bryan Asma, a 22-year-old nursing student from Naga City. When Typhoon Kristine struck, James and fellow volunteers were already at the Camarines Sur chapter office, monitoring the weather.“It was raining. But we thought, ‘It's just rain, we are used to it,’ ” he recalls. “But it didn't stop.”When floodwaters rose to dangerous levels, James joined rescue missions around the town.“The highlight was saving a two-month-old baby,” he shares. “A grandmother approached us, desperate for help for her child and grandchild. We navigated through floodwaters to reach their home. To escape, the family climbed out of a small window and onto the roof, where we brought them to safety on our boat.”The rescue operations took days as floodwaters did not recede. Later on, James continued to support people at evacuation centres with information on how to stay safe from diseases and infections.Turning up every day, despite his own exhaustion, came at a cost for James. His family’s house and his university dorm were flooded, leaving him with a lingering sense of guilt for not being able to do more for his loved ones and friends. Fatigue hit hard, too.“I saw it in myself, and also in my co-volunteers that they are very exhausted. Our routine of operations every day, traveling far with barely any sleep —it's very tiring.”Despite the physical toll, James found joy in the gratitude of the people they helped. “Seeing their faces light up and hearing their thanks motivates me,” he said. “It uplifts their dignity and reminds me why I volunteer.”Providing health care around the clock For Leonard Ivan Barilla, a 38-year-old nurse and veteran Red Cross volunteer, Typhoon Kristine was a call to action. Week after week, he turned up everyday at the evacuation centre to help with health checks and hygiene promotion, only to head home for a few short hours sleep before his night shift at the hospital.“I only slept for four hours before going to the field,” Leonard explains. “My shift with the Red Cross was from 8 am to 5 pm. And then my work in the hospital was from 11 pm until 7 am in the morning. I did this schedule for one month during the height of the response for Typhoon Kristine.”“I checked vital signs, treated fungal infections and wounds, and provided medicine for high blood pressure, fever, and other ailments. Many seniors had lost their prescriptions, so we brought medicines to them from the provincial health office.”Leonard also focused on hygiene promotion to prevent diseases in the evacuation centres. “We taught people about handwashing, provided hygiene kits with soap, toothpaste, and towels, and distributed disinfectants,” he said. “We even implemented measures to prevent dengue by cleaning stagnant water and fogging affected areas.”Leonard’s dedication extended beyond medical care. “Every day, we travelled to remote areas, sometimes seeing 20 to 30 people,” he shared. “I always asked, ‘What do you need?’ before giving medicine. It wasn’t just about treatment—it was about understanding and addressing their root problems.”Despite the challenges and exhaustion after weeks of response, both volunteers expressed unwavering dedication. “We’ve built a family among the volunteers,” James explained. “It’s what keeps us going, even when we’re exhausted.”For both volunteers, their experiences underscore the transformative power of volunteerism. “This was my first time being deployed in a typhoon,” James said. “It showed me the depth of the Red Cross community and its commitment to helping people—not for politics or show, but to truly make a difference.”

Philippines: Red Cross remains steadfast in supporting communities as they rebuild after six back-to-back typhoons

“Can we still handle this? Let’s just carry this burden. Just carry it, even if it's heavy. Let’s not give up — we can get through this somehow.”The words of Janet Menes from Camarines Sur resonate deeply across the Philippines, where families like hers are striving to rebuild their lives after an unprecedented six typhoons struck their country in just less than a month late last year.Three months later, Philippine Red Cross staff and volunteers continue to work tirelessly to help people to get back on their feet. In one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world — with an average of 20 tropical cyclones a year — they provide life-saving aid before, during and after emergencies.Critical support amidst the devastationBetween October and November 2024, typhoons and super typhoons Kristine, Leon, Marce, Niko, Ofel, and Pepito (all local names) tore through the country, leaving over 14 million people affected.Torrential rains, gushing winds, and landslides destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and disrupted livelihoods. Entire communities like Janet’s were hit repeatedly, barely recovering from one disaster before the next arrived.In Albay, Jeanette and Jefferson Mata Septo experienced a devastation they had never experienced before. “It was a severe storm. We didn’t expect that the water would rise so high in our area,” Jeanette recalls.The rising floodwaters forced them to seek refuge in multiple locations, including neighbours’ homes. When the waters were simply too high, there was nowhere else to go but the highway. There beside the road they waited — soaked, exhausted, and with only the few documents they had managed to save.When Jefferson returned to their home after the waters subsided to salvage what he could, he could not believe what he saw. “That morning, when he returned to our house, the floodwaters were still high. He was trying to save our belongings, and I think the stress from that situation triggered him having a stroke,” Jeanette says.After an emergency visit to the local hospital, Jefferson was put on critical, life-long medication to avoid another stroke.The Philippine Red Cross proved to be a lifeline, providing medication for Jefferson’s hypertension, along with kitchen and hygiene kits to help the family rebuild. “The medicine provided by the Red Cross was a huge help. Medicine is costly,” Jeanette explains.Helping families rebuildfrom scratchIn the neighbouring province of Camarines Sur, Janet, her husband Albiz and their six children, faced the same devastating situation caused by Typhoon Kristine. But as the heavy rains pelted down, Janet had developed a high fever and was too sick to evacuate to a proper shelter.“By evening, the water rose," she recalls. "My husband helped move our things to higher ground, but some of our belongings were lost. I couldn’t assist much due to my fever."The family sought refuge in the nearby cemetery, where they endured days of high waters and harsh conditions.The family returned home to find their house in ruins, with only the roof remaining. Again, the Philippine Red Cross provided critical assistance.“Before Christmas, we received 5,000 pesos (around USD 100) from the Red Cross," Janet explains. "We used it to buy plywood for the roof and lumber for the kitchen. Now we’ve made some quarters—a living room, a kitchen, and then the walls."Support for as long as neededThe Philippine Red Cross, supported by the IFRC Emergency Appeal, has been at the forefront of response and recovery efforts following Typhoon Kristine and the five other consecutive major typhoons that hit the country.From search-and-rescue missions to support for people living in evacuation centres, their efforts have been critical to maintaining health and wellbeing in the aftermath.In evacuation centres, hot meals composed of rice, boiled eggs and sardines were distributed, as well as clean drinking water. This is crucial because when people lose their belongings in a typhoon, cooking stoves and utensils are also often lost.Children were supervised in child-friendly spaces with colouring in, singing and dancing activities and the chance to talk to trained volunteers about their needs and concerns. Health desks provided checkups including testing blood pressure. Where needed, medicine was provided to prevent the spread ofdiseases and infections that often come with the extreme weather.As communities recover, the Red Cross will continue to deliver what people need: cash to rebuild homes and buy essential items, livelihoods support so people can go back to work, and the psychosocial support of staff and volunteers embedded in their own local communities.Janet says she talks to her children about preparing for future disasters now, and her words are as much for the children, as they are for her and Albiz.“Let’s not give up—we can get through this, somehow.”

International Day of Epidemic Preparedness 2024: Early detection, early action, healthier communities

Epidemics and pandemics are some of the biggest threats to a safe and healthy world. They are on the rise, and in today’s connected world, they are spreading further and faster than ever before.  Known epidemics—such as cholera, measles, Ebola, and malaria—continue to threaten large parts of the world’s population. And, as we saw with COVID-19, the world is also at risk from new infectious diseases that can claim millions of lives, bring health systems to their knees, and reverse decades of development progress. But the good news is that with effective preparedness and response measures, we can reduce the impacts of epidemics and pandemics and even stop them in their tracks.  The IFRC and our member National Societies have long focused on helping people prepare for, respond to, and recover from health emergencies. Born in the wake of the 1918 influenza pandemic, at the IFRC we know from experience that communities can be the first line of defence against epidemics and pandemics when equipped with the right knowledge, behaviours, skills, and tools.   Through global programmes—such as the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) with USAID and the Programmatic Partnership with the European Union—we’ve been engaging and training people worldwide in epidemic and pandemic preparedness and response for many years. We help people prevent, detect and quickly respond to outbreaks—saving countless lives and building healthier, more resilient communities. Stepping up our efforts in 2024In 2024, the IFRC significantly stepped up our work in epidemic and pandemic preparedness:With support from the World Bank’s Pandemic Fund, and in collaboration with key national and international partners, IFRC was selected to launch two new regional epidemic preparedness programmes. In Africa, the Preparedness for Pandemic Response (PREPARE) programme will strengthen cross-border collaboration, disease surveillance and health systems in East and Central Africa to address health challenges such as the ongoing mpox epidemic. And in Asia Pacific, the Enhancing collaborative surveillance and diagnostic readiness for pandemic preparedness and response in South-East Asia Region will improve early warning and disease surveillance systems, laboratory systems and community health workforce capacity across eight countries.With USAID support, we were delighted to expand the CP3 programme this year into 11 new countries—Burundi, Cambodia, Ivory Coast, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Philippines, Tajikistan, Thailand, Vietnam and Zambia—to prepare even more communities for epidemics and pandemics.Together, these new commitments take the total number of countries where IFRC is directly supporting epidemic preparedness programmes up to 48. This figure doesn’t include the great work being done at the national level by many more Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.Trusted, local, and always thereAs trusted local actors embedded in their communities and permanently present in areas other organizations cannot reach, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are best placed to support community-level epidemic and pandemic preparedness. The IFRC works to strengthen National Societies’ ability to prepare for and respond to epidemics through training, technical assistance, advocacy support and coordination. Together, we also engage a wide range of stakeholders in epidemic and pandemic preparedness—such as governments, religious leaders, businesses and the media—because we know that all parts of society need to come together to keep people safe from epidemics and pandemics. The time to prepare is nowCOVID-19 was a wake-up call to the world to prepare now for the next health crisis. The pandemic claimed millions of lives and revealed major gaps in epidemic and pandemic preparedness around the world.The IFRC network is doing essential work right now to prepare communities for the next pandemic. But more investment is needed globally to strengthen health systems and ensure societies are prepared for an increasingly hazardous world.--To stay up to date with the IFRC’s work in epidemic and pandemic preparedness, sign up to our monthly newsletter which features highlights from Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world.And for practical epidemic preparedness resources, check out our Epidemic Control Toolkit—available in multiple languages—for guidance on evidence-based methods to prevent and control the spread of epidemics at the community-level.

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

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

Season of the floods: The Philippines Red Cross responds to the floodwaters that never went away

The floodwaters came, but they never left. In the region around Bulacan, a provincial area in Luzon, in northern Philippines, many communities have been literally knee-deep in water for more than three months plus now.Water that overflowed the banks of a river that surged in July, has remained, covering the landscape in a shallow pool ever since.“We got used to the flood waters stagnating in our homes,” saysMeldrid Liodel, a 53-year-old single mother. “We have tried not to get stressed about it. It is very difficult to stand up [due to the water], especially the cleaning, the cleaningof our homes [is difficult].”“I have six children and seven grandchildren.If you ask why we do not just move away, this is where we were born, we grew up, we made families, and we continue to fight for our lives.”Meldrid, as well as all her neighbours and communities, are learning to live their daily lives in shin-deep water. They get around in narrow canoes and many received boats from the local government to help with their daily commutes.The gardening they do for daily sustenance has also changed radically. They’ve started planting vegetables that grow well on water, and they began open air-drying fish that they catch from their rooftops. The fish and vegetables they use to earn a small income and feed their families.“These floods here started happening way back when Mount Pinatubo erupted many years ago,”Meldrid adds.“Before this, we had crops, we had a lot of rice fields, the farmers could farm, the fishermen could fish well.”Mount Pinatubo is just more than 90 kilometers from Bulacan, Central Luzon, where Meldrid’s community lives. Many years after the eruption, they realised that the entire local irrigation network, as well as the water channels and infrastructure in the surrounding regions, had been damaged by the volcano. Ever since, thousands of communities were suffering from continuous floods that would never subside.The floods are a result of a combination of back flooding, high-tide, and water brought in from storms and typhoons. This has occurred more frequently in the past decade.Just the beginningYet, this is not the full story. The Philippines sits one of the most disaster-prone zones in the world. Yearly, the country experiences multiple typhoons, floods, volcanic activity, and even earthquakes.By late November 2024, a total of six typhoons had pounded the Philippines back-to-back in various regions, dumping onto its land copious amounts of rushing water and causing widespread destruction. While international aid is vital for humanitarian purposes, it is not immediate, and affected people are in dire need of help the very hour the disaster hits.The storms only intensified the already chronic flooding problem. “Typhoon Carina was very strong, and it was sudden,”says Amelia Torres, who stands with her husband in their living room, which has been carpeted in to two feet of water since July 2024. “It suddenly intensified and didn’t go away and it didn't stop. The floods didn't subside.”All their belongings are hanging on the walls, dangling from the ceiling, or are perched on top of shelves and tables. Their bed and mattress are in the living room, about one foot above the water. “Sometimes, it's only dry for just 3 months of the year,” she adds.Rapid response fund to the rescueThis is where the IFRC DREF – Disaster Response Emergency Fund has been such a critical asset. This fund delivers financial support directly to local humanitarian actors—both before a crisis is expected to hit and after. These funds go directly to National Societies, and they are those that are very embedded in local communities.In the case of recent storms, the funds enabled the Philippine Red Cross to galvanize their response to quickly reach people while further funds are being procured globally. They were able to prepare evacuation centres,deploy evacuation teams, and quickly get hot meals, essential items, hygiene kits and more to the people.The IFRC-DREF mechanism was originally designed to respond to small- and medium-sized disasters, but it has evolved to include support for anticipatory action. By acting before disasters strike, IFRC aims for it to enable the saving of more lives and livelihoods and minimizing the devastating impacts.The Philippines have been a recipient of IFRC-DREF three times for the year 2024, and the Philippine Red Cross, along with the IFRC and partners, have been helping with relief, evacuation, hot meals, medical aid, and much more.That support is critical to people like Edgardo Sibbaluca, a construction worker in Rizal, another province in Central Luzon. His family of six experienced the full force of Super Typhoon Carina that hit in July this year.“We couldn’t save anything; we lost all our belongings,”he says. “We had to evacuate. We are now sleeping in the evacuation centre. Food is being brought to us, and that’s what we’re relying on. Fortunately, it occurred in the morning. If it had happened at night, many would have died.I felt weak; all I could see were piles of trash. I felt very weak. “But I’m thankful that at least our lives were spared. I’ll rebuild my house and fix my surroundings. I’ll plant again and go back to work. I’ll restore everything to how it was so I can get back on my feet.”“I feel like we have to be cautious now,”added Edgardo, who expressed gratitude for the support he received from the Red Cross. “We need to be prepared for disasters because we might have to evacuate again.I’m afraid of strong disasters that come suddenly.I want us to be strong and brave, to face challenges without fear and to be prepared.”By Rachel Punitha, IFRC Senior Communications Officer, Asia Pacific

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

Super Typhoon Yagi causes severe flooding across Southeast Asia

Bangkok/Yangon/Kuala Lumpur 17 September 2024 – Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest typhoons to hit Southeast Asia in decades, has left a trail of destruction in multiple countries, with severe flooding, landslides, and widespread infrastructural damage. The typhoon affected the Philippines, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar, triggering both immediate humanitarian responses and long-term recovery efforts. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), in collaboration with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, is mobilising resources to assist those in need.Regional impact of Typhoon YagiSuper Typhoon Yagi initially made landfall in the Philippines on 2 September. Locally known as Typhoon Enteng, it resulted in landslides and flooding, killing 21 people in its wake, prompting school and office closures and disrupting power and telecommunication services.Three days later, it traversed through southern China before landing in Vietnam on 7 September. Typhoon Yagi caused massive destruction in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city. With continuous heavy rainfall, flooding, and landslides affecting 26 provinces, including the capital city of Hanoi, the typhoon left 344 people reported dead or missing. Over 235,000 homes were damaged, and the economic impact is so far estimated at USD 1.6 billion.The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC) has been on the front lines, distributing emergency relief items, food, and cash assistance. The IFRC is launching a CHF 4 million emergency appeal to aid recovery efforts in the worst-affected areas, focusing on shelter restoration, health services, and livelihood recovery​.Myanmar also faced unprecedented flooding starting on September 8, as the remnants of Typhoon Yagi triggered heavy rains, displacing over 320,000 people and causing 113 reported deaths across nine regions. The Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) has been actively conducting search and rescue operations, providing first aid, and distributing vital supplies such as food, water, blankets, and hygiene items. The IFRC, in collaboration with MRCS, has launched another emergency appeal, aiming to raise 2.5 million CHF to assist 25,000 people over the next 12 months​.While the direct impact of Typhoon Yagi was less severe in the Philippines, and later on in Laos, both countries experienced significant flooding and infrastructural damage. The local Red Cross Societies responded to urgent needs, and both countries are working to mitigate further risks posed by prolonged flooding and landslides.Flooding in Southeast Asia: A Regional CrisisSuper Typhoon Yagi’s impact has caused extensive flooding across Southeast Asia, affecting millions of people. Prolonged rainfall, soil saturation, and the sheer magnitude of the typhoon have exacerbated the already vulnerable situations in many communities. Local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies across the region are responding to immediate needs, while the IFRC is coordinating support for large-scale recovery operations, including emergency shelter, healthcare, and psychosocial support.With emergency appeals being launched in Vietnam and Myanmar, the IFRC is calling for international solidarity to ensure a rapid and effective response to help affected communities rebuild their lives. The IFRC’s Regional Director for Asia Pacific, Alexander Matheou, says:"This year alone, the Asia Pacific region has faced an unrelenting series of climate-related disasters. The devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yagi is just the latest example of the compounding effects of the climate crisis on people who are already in vulnerable situations. From typhoons, floods, and heatwaves to droughts, these crises hit one after another, leaving little room for recovery.“The IFRC and our Red Cross and Red Crescent partners remain committed to providing life-saving assistance and long-term support. As we face this escalating climate emergency, our work is more critical than ever in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from these frequent and severe disasters."The IFRC is working closely with national authorities and humanitarian partners in the region to coordinate efforts and scale up operations. The immediate focus is on providing life-saving assistance, restoring critical infrastructure, and supporting long-term recovery. Cash assistance, emergency shelters, and health services are among the priority needs as floodwaters continue to rise, threatening food security, sanitation, and public health.For more information or to request an interview, please contact [email protected] Media Inquiries:In Bangkok: Kovit Pholsena | +66 (0) 81 837 8876 In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances | +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Hannah Copeland | +44 7535316633Visuals: Additional photos and video available here: Viet Nam , Myanmar

World Immunization Week: Delivering vaccines and trustworthy information to communities around the world

A mother of four and restaurant owner from Dabola, in central Guinea, Diaraye says she felt scared about vaccines. She didn’t think she had enough information and she’d heard rumours about harmful side effects.Several health workers came to visit her to try and convince her to vaccinate her newborn, Madiou, but she still felt uneasy.That was until she met Bérété, a Guinea Red Cross supervisor with theCommunity Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3).A mother herself, Bérété connected with Diaraye and patiently explained how vaccinating her own children has kept them safe from diseases. She responded sensitively to Diaraye’s concerns.Newly informed and confident, Diaraye agreed for Bérété to take baby Madiou for his first immunizations. Since then, Diaraye has become a champion for vaccination within her community.“My advice to mothers is to agree to their children getting vaccinated," says Diaraye. "Since the Red Cross came to help me vaccinate my baby, I’ve seen that it’s good for children. And I tell all mothers to go and get their children vaccinated at the health centre.”A global story, playing out locally, house-by-houseDiaraya’s story is far from unique. People around the world often don’t have access to life-saving vaccines, do not have all the facts about how they work, or don’t know who they can trust to give them accurate and unbiased information.This is why trusted community organizations, like Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, are playing a critical role in reaching out at the local level, providing trustworthy information while enabling access to vaccines in places that are underserved by health services. In many cases, they are in the midst of ongoing emergencies.This year, World Immunization Week revolves around the theme of Humanly Possible, also the name of a global campaign to celebrate and build on the achievements made in protecting people from preventable diseases during the last 75 years.For its part, the IFRC is redoubling efforts to bring awareness and vaccines to people in vulnerable situations — conflict, outbreaks, forced migration, natural disaster — or who lack access to immunization services for whatever reason.The approach varies to meet the specific situation of each county. They also span the globe, from National Societies in Guinea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, andKyrgyzstan,and many others. Here are a few more examples of the ways Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are taking on a wide range of very different immunization challenges.Philippine Red Cross takes on another measles outbreakThe Philippine Red Cross Society (PRCS) has been supporting the government of ThePhilippinesin responding to a measles outbreak by vaccinating more than 15,000 children ages 6 months to below 10 years old with measles vaccine.As of April 14, 2024, the Philippine Red Cross has vaccinated more than 15,500 children, mobilizing a total of 131 volunteers (35 vaccinators and 96 support volunteers) in 85 communities in four provinces.The PRCS’ measles outbreak response is being donein collaboration with the ICRC, which also has a long-time presence in theBangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, an area where people are impacted by internal conflict. Because of low immunization rates in the area, It's also one of the main places in the country where the measles outbreak is happening.The PRCShas been part of other polio and measles outbreak responses and plans to expand this current operation by deploying vaccination teams from other chapters, with the help ofresources from the IFRC and the United States Center for Disease Control.Using innovation to improve access to immunization in ThailandThe Thai Red Cross Society (TRCS), meanwhile, has been using technology in innovative ways tobring immunization services to people who would not otherwise have access to immunization services.In Thailand, many displaced people and undocumented residents are living without proper forms of identification required to access vaccination services. To address the health gap, TRCS partnered with the Department of Disease Control of the Ministry of Public Health and Thailand’s National Electronics and Computer Technology Center to develop the Thai Red Cross Biometric Authentication System.This system uses a biometric authentication system, using face and iris recognition technology — while still ensuring data privacy — to accurately identify and register vaccine recipients.This allows people without official documentation to still receive vaccines and it enables a way to keep a record of the vaccinations received.Using this technology, TRCS reached 20,000 adolescent girls (specifically ethnic minorities, migrants, and refugees) living in temporary shelters across the country with 40,000 doses of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This helped to significantly decrease their chances of getting HPV, a major, but vaccine-preventable cause of cervical cancer.If this can be expanded, more displaced persons and undocumented residents can be assured to have access to their next essential vaccine, such as a booster shot.Local presence, ready to prevent and respondOver the long term, immunization campaigns are only fully effective if they are of high quality and result in high rates of coverage. The challenge now is to improve and strengthen routine immunisation to better prevents future outbreaks, while also ensuring there is capacity in place to respond quickly and engage communities — if and when outbreaks occur.This is why the work of National Societies is so critical. As national organizations with widespread local presence, they are ideally suited to work with local and national health authorities and communities to build trust while delivering consistent access to immunization. The video below shows how the Pakistan Red Crescent brings immunization through local clinics.Back in Guinea, Red Cross volunteer Bérété continues to visit Diaraye to make sure her son Madiou is doing well, as part of her work engaging members of her community on how to protect themselves and their families.“We keep supporting her, because every time I send her child to hospital to be vaccinated, I never forget to follow up,”explains Bérété. “Every morning I come to see her to check on the child. Because you can’t just vaccinate a child and leave without following up. If she can see that you are there for her at all times, she will have the courage” to keep up with necessary immunizations in the future.

Flooding around the world: Red Cross and Red Crescent teams responding

In recent weeks, floods have been hitting communities and making headlines around the world. Let’s take a look at some of the countries dealing with flooding and see how Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are helping people who have been affected. Slovenia Torrential rains over the past couple of weeks have affected two-thirds of Slovenia, prompting the country’s Prime Minister to declare it the ‘biggest natural disaster’ in the country’s history. The floods have killed three people and destroyed bridges, roads and houses - causing an estimated 500 million euros of damage. Volunteers from the Slovenian Red Cross have been delivering food, water and medicine to people affected by the floods – often on foot, since it’s the only way to reach many isolated communities. They’re also accompanying people staying in temporary shelters. The Czech Red Cross, Croatian Red Cross, Hungarian Red Cross and Polish Red Cross have all shown solidarity by sending additional food, water and hygiene items into the country to help with the response. Norway In Norway, Norwegian Red Cross volunteers are helping people affected Storm Hans, which is causing havoc across the south of the country – bringing extreme rain, landslides and floods. Volunteers are assisting with evacuations, running emergency ambulances, delivering food to isolated people and building sandbag flood defences. Many local branches remain on high alert, with more volunteers standing by to support as the situation develops. Sudan With millions reeling from the ongoing conflict in Sudan, communities across White Nile state have also now been impacted by heavy rains and flash floods. Torrents of water swept away and destroyed everything in their path. Families have lost homes and belongings, and many are resorting to sleeping outside in the open air. Shelter and clean water are needed urgently. Sudanese Red Crescent Society volunteers, who have already been responding to people’s needs during the conflict, are assessing the situation closely to provide additional support. China Torrential rains and floods have hit East Asia severely this summer, including areas of north, northeast and southern China. Beijing has seen the largest rainfall experienced in the city in the past 140 years. Disaster relief teams from the Red Cross Society of China are helping people in flood-stricken areas – supporting with clean-up and recovery, as well as distributing household items, quilts, waterproof jackets and more. Philippines In the Philippines, Typhoons Doksuri and Khanun (known locally as Egay and Falcon) have brought devastating floods. An estimated 313,000 people have been displaced by Doksuri alone, and more than 25 people have sadly lost their lives. Philippine Red Cross volunteers have been bringing relief supplies, meals, medical assistance and psychosocial support to affected communities. Afghanistan Flash floods and heavy rainfall have caused loss of life, injuries and severe damage to hundreds of households in Afghanistan – a country already experiencing complex humanitarian crises. Afghan Red Crescent and IFRC emergency teams are providing urgent relief – including blankets, jerry cans, tarpaulins and shelter kits. And mobile health teams are bringing medical services to remote communities. Iran In Iran, Iranian Red Crescent Society teams have been responding to flooding in Sistan Balochistan, North Khorasan and West Azerbaijan provinces – deploying 35 response teams and providing support to hundreds of people. Volunteer teams have been rescuing people stranded in the flood waters, setting up temporary shelters, and providing essential items. Honduras In western Honduras, localized flooding caused by rainstorms hit the town of Copan Ruinas – damaging homes and local businesses. The local Honduran Red Cross branch responded quickly to distribute relief items to local people and help clear up debris and fallen trees. -- Thank you to all our National Societies for supporting communities affected by floods in recent weeks. If you'd like to learn more about floods and how you can prepare, click here.

Typhoon Noru batters Philippines as people evacuate to safety

Kuala Lumpur/Manila 25 September 2022 – People in northern Philippines are scrambling to safe areas and evacuation centres as Super Typhoon Noru (locally named Karding) begins to batter thousands of cities, homes, and infrastructure. The typhoon, hit maximum wind speeds of 260km per hour has made landfall at the Polillio islands, north-eastern Philippines this Sunday afternoon, local time. Philippine Red Cross teams are on the ground, mobilised to assist and evacuate people to safety. Typhoon Noru will be the strongest storm hitting the country this year and it is as intense and destructive as last year's Super Typhoon Rai which wrecked 1.5 million houses in December. Richard Gordon, Philippine Red Cross Chairman said: “This storm is the strongest one yet this year to hit us. It is critical that we move everyone to safety right now as this Typhoon is set to cause devastation in all Central Luzon, including our capital, Manila. “Our volunteers are on full stand-by mode working with authorities to move people to evacuation centres with all their necessities. We also pre-positioning emergency relief, hot meals, and medical supplies in anticipation. Our water tankers for drinking water and payloaders to quickly clear off debris, mud and fallen trees and make roads accessible to reach communities are also in place. “We are advising people to charge their phones, pack food, and grab their important belongings. There is no telling of the extent of the disruptions.” The eastern seaboard Luzon island, (facing the Pacific ocean) is already being hit with strong winds and heavy rains. Hundreds of people in ports are left stranded as air and sea operations halt. The island is the country's largest and most populated island. Alberto Bocanegra, IFRC Head of Philippine Country Office said: “We have learned from responding to last year's strongest typhoon, Rai. We believe we are continuing to adapt our emergency responses and are prepared to handle to the intensity of this storm. “These weather-related events are intensifying and becoming more frequent. The super storm that hit south-eastern Philippines was a mere ten months ago, and the people affected are barely picking up the pieces. We must be effective and quick to adapt no matter how bad the situation will be. “IFRC is working closely with the Philippines Red Cross and helping with relief and providing support." Philippines is hit with torrential rains, strong winds, floods and tropical storms multiple times in a year. For more information, contact, Asia Pacific Office: Afrhill Rances, +60 19-271 3641, [email protected] Rachel Punitha, +60 19 791 3830, [email protected] Soneel Ram, +679 998 3688, [email protected]

Philippines: 2 million exposed to climate disasters 3 months after Typhoon Rai

Kuala Lumpur/Manila, March 16, 2022 – More than 2.4 million still need ongoing relief and are left exposed to extreme climate disasters more than three months after Super Typhoon Rai ravaged the eastern Philippines. Typhoon Rai severely affected 11 million people and smashed over two million houses in December 2021. Most affected families are still living under roofless or makeshift homes made of tarpaulins and salvaged iron sheets while others remain displaced and are forced to live with relatives and friends. Millions of people lost income and have disrupted livelihoods made more difficult due to the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising prices of food, construction materials and other basic commodities. Philippine Red cross Chairman Richard Gordon said: “Months have passed but we are still assisting communities hit by Typhoon Rai, one of the most destructive storms in our lifetime. The help of the Red Cross doesn't stop with providing hot meals, relief items, and giving access to safe and clean water. “We will be here to help people recover every step of the way, but we need to mobilise much more support to help people rebuild safer and stronger shelters to withstand the next storm.” Red Cross volunteers are providing food packs, clean water supplies, tarpaulins, iron sheets and shelter tool kits to repair damaged homes, and other essential relief supplies. Cash grants are helping families access basic needs, kickstarting the local economy. More than 400,000 people have been supported by Red Cross since the typhoon hit. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is concerned that greater action is needed to protect millions of people at risk due to the typhoon. IFRC Philippines Head of Delegation Alberto Bocanegra said: “This is a critical time for people whose homes were torn from their foundations by typhoon Rai. The longer it takes for people to recover, the more they become susceptible and exposed to the risks of extreme weather events. “We must not let these families who are most vulnerable to climate change be reduced to statistics.” IFRC is appealing for 20 million Swiss francs to provide more than 400,000 people with immediate relief, including food supplies, restored access to clean water, and longer-term support to help families rebuild their homes and shattered livelihoods. To date, the Emergency Appeal has received 35 per cent of funds needed for the response. For more information or to arrange an interview, contact: Asia Pacific Office: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, [email protected] In Manila, France Noguera, +63-998-9606-291, [email protected]