Typhoon Yagi made landfall in Viet Nam on 7 September, leaving behind severe flooding and landslides, particularly in northern mountainous provinces and urban areas like Hanoi. The Viet Nam Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, aims to reach 130,000 of the people most affected by the typhoon with humanitarian assistance through shelter, food security, livelihood, health and water, sanitation and hygiene interventions in the seven targeted provinces.
Bangkok/Kuala Lumpur/Geneva, 13 September 2024– Super Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms to hit Vietnam in three decades, has left a trail of destruction and continues to threaten the lives of millions across northern and central parts of the country.After passing through China’s Hainan Island, Tropical Cyclone Yagi intensified into a super typhoon, making landfall in Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong City in Vietnam at 13:45 local time on 7 September 2024.With torrential downpours and powerful winds exceeding 200 kilometres per hour, the super typhoon has forced more than 50,000 people to evacuate their homes. It triggered widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides, causing severe damage to roads, bridges, and buildings, uprooting trees, and disrupting electrical and telecommunication networks. The affected areas are experiencing prolonged power outages, communication loss, and water supply disruptions.According to authorities, nearly 190,000 homes have been flooded, damaged or destroyed, with at least 325 people reported dead or missing, and an estimated 1.6 million people affected overall. These numbers are expected to rise as damage assessment continues, while the risk of further flooding and landslides remains high throughout the affected regions.Immediately after initial impact of the typhoon, the Vietnam Red Cross Society organised the mobilisation of relief items, such as food, medicine, and cash distribution worth up to VND 5.5 billion (190,000 CHF) to support affected communities. Red Cross staff and volunteers have been deployed to assist with debris cleanup and to provide psychological first aid, and disaster response teams are also continuing to collaborate closely with the authorities to conduct damage and needs assessments in the affected areas.Local Red Crossbranches are implementing measures such as early warning communication, supporting the reinforcement of houses, providing assistance at temporary evacuation and shelter points, and closely monitoring storm updates so they’re on standby for emergency response.Despite having now weakened into a tropical depression, Yagi continues to cause extended periods of heavy rainfall, leading to ongoing flooding and landslides across 26 provinces, including the capital city of Hanoi.Mr. Nguyen Hai Anh, Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Red Cross Society, said:“Nearly 19 million people are living in the affected provinces. We are deeply concerned about their health, well-being, and ability to cope with the impact and consequences of Super Typhoon Yagi, especially those in vulnerable conditions, such as the elderly and children.“The Vietnam Red Cross Society has been working closely with relevant authorities and organisations to support the national and local response efforts. We have launched resource mobilisation campaigns in a spirit of solidarity to support the affected populations in overcoming this deadly tragedy.”Kathryn Clarkson, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Head of Country Cluster Delegation in Bangkok covering Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam, said:“This extreme and prolonged weather event is continuing to have a widespread impact on many local communities, including in areas where we have rarely seen this kind of disaster occur previously. People’s resilience is being stretched, and there is an urgent need to provide both immediate relief and recovery support to the affected populations.“IFRC is working closely with the Vietnam Red Cross Society to mobilise international support to address the growing and evolving needs of the affected populations, especially with health services, water and sanitation as well as restoration of shelter and livelihoods.”Note to editors:Visuals: Additional photos and video available here:Dropbox – Viet Nam Typhoon Yagi 2024For more information or to request an interview, please [email protected] Bangkok: Kovit Pholsena, +66 (0) 81 837 8876In Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances, +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Hannah Copeland, +44 7535316633
Benghazi / Rabat / Beirut / Geneva, 4 September 2024 – One year after the devastating earthquake in Morocco and catastrophic floods in Libya, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), alongside the Moroccan and Libyan Red Crescents, remains committed to supporting the recovery and rebuilding efforts in these hard-hit regions. These disasters, which struck within days of each other in September 2023, left deep scars on the affected communities, but also demonstrated the strength and resilience of those impacted.Morocco: A Year of Recovery and ResilienceOn 8 September 2023, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the High Atlas Mountain range in Morocco, affecting over 660,000 people and causing widespread destruction. Over 59,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, leaving 380,000 people without shelter. From the outset, the Moroccan Red Crescent Society (MRC) mobilized to provide emergency aid, including search and rescue operations, first aid, and the distribution of essential relief items.Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Mohammed Bendali, Head of Disaster Management, First-Aid Volunteering and Youth for the Moroccan Red Crescent, said, "The scale of the devastation was immense, but so was the response. Our volunteers and staff worked tirelessly to support the affected communities, providing not only material aid but also mental health and psychosocial support to help people cope with the trauma of the disaster."The focus has now shifted to early recovery, with efforts concentrated on providing durable, insulated shelters, temporary classrooms and clinics, enhancing access to clean water and sanitation, and rebuilding livelihoods, while also looking to complement the support provided by the government to the affected families. Despite the challenges, the MRC remains committed to supporting the affected families for as long as necessary.Libya: Facing the Aftermath of Unprecedented FloodsIn early September 2023, Storm Daniel unleashed heavy rainfall on Libya's northeastern coast, resulting in catastrophic floods that claimed over 5,900 lives and left more than 43,000 people homeless. The failure of two dams above the city – the first at about 11pm on 10 September, the second closer to 1am on 11 September – unleashed catastrophic amounts of water on the city of Derna.The Libyan Red Crescent Society (LRCS) was on the ground immediately following the disaster, providing critical emergency aid, including search and rescue operations, first aid, and the distribution of food, water, and shelter materials. Tragically, the disaster also claimed the lives of several Red Crescent volunteers who were working to save others."One year on, the pain of loss is still deeply felt in the communities we serve," said Omar Jaouda, Secretary General of the Libyan Red Crescent. "But the resilience of the people is remarkable. We have continued to support those most affected, including thousands who are still displaced, as they rebuild their lives and homes."Going forward, the Libyan Red Crescent is transitioning to long-term recovery and resilience by prioritising three key areas: first, increasing attention to recovery and resilience planning and implementation, ensuring that communities are equipped to withstand future shocks and recover effectively. Second, the National Society will bolster its capacity, preparedness, and readiness. And, third, the Libyan Red Crescent will enhance its security management practices to safeguard its operations and personnel, particularly in challenging environments, while also ensuring accountability in all its actions to maintain trust and transparency within the communities it serves.The IFRC’s Emergency Appeal for Libya, which aimed for CHF 20 million to address the extensive needs, has raised CHF 12.4 million to date. These funds have been critical in supporting 130,000 people with essential services, including shelter, health care, and psychosocial support. The IFRC is also working to enhance the LRCS’s capacity for future disaster response by renovating key facilities and equipping an Emergency Operations Centre in Derna.Looking Ahead: A Long Road to RecoveryBoth Morocco and Libya face long and challenging roads to recovery. The IFRC, together with the Moroccan and Libyan Red Crescents and other Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world, will continue to stand by these communities, providing the necessary support to ensure that they not only recover but also build resilience against future disasters."The events of last year were a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by communities in disaster-prone regions," said Dr. Hossam El Sharkawi, IFRC Regional DIrector for the Middle East and North Africa. "But they also highlighted the importance of local preparedness and the incredible impact of collective humanitarian efforts. We are committed to supporting the Moroccan and Libyan Red Crescents in their ongoing work to help these communities rebuild and thrive."For more information or to request an interview on/from Morocco or Libya – or from an IFRC spokesperson able to talk about both - please contact: [email protected] In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa: +41 79 708 43 67Andrew Thomas: +41 76 367 65 87In Beirut: Mey Al Sayegh: +961 761 744 68
The water from Cyclone Remal was already up to their necks when35-year-old Tanya and herhusband had to evacuated their home and go to a storm shelter.“My house was destroyed and now I live with my in-laws nearby,” she says.“I have three children. Two daughters and a son, and taking care of another boy as well; four children in total. All my children were born in our house, that is now destroyed.”Tanya’s story is shared by thousands whose lives were dramatically changed when the cyclone made landfallnear the Mongla and Khepupara coasts in Bangladesh and West Bengal of India on 26 May, 2024.According to Bangladesh’s Department of Disaster Management (DDM), under the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR), about 4.6 million people were affected by Cyclone Remal in 19 districts.More than807,000 people were evacuated to 9,424 evacuation shelters across 19 districts. Over 173,000 houses were damaged, including 40,338 that were completely uninhabitable. Now families are struggling to get back on their feet.“Before the cyclone and flooding, my husband did daily tasks to help other families in the area — with things like farming,” Tanya continues.“He worked as hired support for other people in the village who need deliveries.“Options are not that many here for people who need to do day-to-day work for survival. So, my husband was already struggling beforehand. Now it’s worse, because everybody in the community is affected. If there is work, we can eat. Otherwise, we don’t get food.”The storm also had a devastating impact on food security and livelihoods. More than 50,000 fishing farms were destroyed, and more than 80,000 hectares cultivable land were inundated, by the high winds, waves and storm surges of cyclone Remal.In the wake of the storm, theBangladesh Red Crescent immediately began providing emergency food through its eight coastal branching, distributing a seven-day food package to 50,000 people. They also provided hygiene kits, tarpaulins and sleeping mats, among other things.Access to clean water is also critical, as over 20,000 water points and more than 134,000 latrines were damaged by the storm. In response, two mobile water treatment plants (reverse osmosis) for desalination were deployed in Khulna and Satkhira districts, distributing safe drinking water to more than 5,000 households.Two Mobile Medical Teams were also mobilized, providing primary healthcare services and psychosocial support.The immediate resonse was supported by a 1 million Swiss Franc allocation from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) and an emergency appeal that was launched by the IFRC seeking 12.5 million Swiss Francs to support ongoing operations.In the coming months, the focus will be on building back livelihoods and shelters. For many, the storm took away their single most important life investment: their homes.In the case of 65-year-old Yunus, a husband and father of two the storm took away the home he had been building and developing over ten years with his own hands.Since his family came back from the evacuation shelters to find their house destroyed and belongings gone, Yunus’ wife has been in complete shock and has been crying most of the time.“We have lived like this, with cyclones for years, so we thought that this would be a ‘normal’ one,”said Yunus.“We went to the shelter in a hurry, and we didn’t have the chance to protect anything. At 3 am I escaped from the shelter to see what was happening here, and I saw that everything was gone. The road was gone, and the house was covered in water.""I remained in the shelter for days because I literally could not return to my house. There was still a small rice paddy, but all the rice was gone. I got some chicken and hens as food support.”“I am literally living in a kind of hell. There is a temporary cooking station at the back of my house, but nothing to eat.”“Yesterday I built a new small area to sleep in, because it is not possible to live in our destroyed house. The remains of it are tilted and full of loose pieces of wood and aluminum; it is dangerous to be inside. So, I am building a new temporary place for us to sleep in as soon as possible."Story by Camilla Bruun SimonsenEditing by Rachel PunithaPhotos: Al-Shahriar Rupam (IFRC)
Well before Hurricane Beryl made landfallon the Caribbean Island nations of Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Red Cross volunteers, local authorities and residents had been working hard to prepare for the worst.Anticipating road blockages, power outages and scarcity of clean water and food, Red Cross crews were preparing relief packages and moving supplies as close as possible to the places most likely to be in need after the storm.By the time HurricaneBeryl made landfall in Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Barbados,it was classified as a category 4 hurricane. High winds toppled trees and power lines, tore entire roofs from houses and in some cases, blew buildings completely off their foundations.On the islands ofCarriacou and Petite Martinique, more than95 per cent homes of were either damaged or destroyed, according to official estimates. Aerial photos showed large swaths of destruction where neighborhoods once stood. Nor did the storm spare health facilities, airport buildings, schools or petrol stations.When Hurricane Beryl arrived in Jamaica, it brought extensive damage across the island. Roads were blocked by fallen trees, downed power lines and landslides, while power outages and structural damage to important public facilities hampered response efforts.“This is the strongest hurricane to strike Jamaica in almost 17 years — since Hurricane Dean in 2007,” said Rhea Pierre,the IFRC’s disaster manager for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.On all the islands, relief and rescue efforts were complicated by continued bad weather, power outages, road blockages and damage to infrastructure. In many cases, the hardest affected areas were also cut off from basic services.Thanks to storm warnings, thousands of people gathered safely in shelters. But the storm also claimed lives.Authorities have so far confirmed at least 15 deaths:five in Grenada, five in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, two in Jamaica and three in Venezuela. But the number could still rise as the assessment continues.Preparation paid offDespite the damage, the advance work paid off. In the aftermath, volunteer crews were ready to act, visiting hard-hit communities and making detailed assessments of people’s needs. They handed out supplies, offered first-aid and lent a listening ear to people coping with their losses.“We are out giving out distributions such as tarpaulins and jerry cans, as well as cleaning tapes and food supplies for those families who were affected by the hurricane,” said Zoyer John, a volunteer for the Grenada Red Cross as she stood in front of a badly damaged house.“Most of the damage to our tri-island state occurred in the islands ofCarriacou and Petite Martinique. But here on the main island, on the north of the island, a lot of people were also impacted.”In Jamaica, Red Cross volunteers were also on the ground quickly doing rapid assessments and distributing supplies they had prepared at the beginning of the hurricane season. As the hurricane approached, those stocks were moved to safe storage facilities close to the places where the impact was expected to be heaviest.All this advance work was bolstered by an allocation of CHF 1.7 million from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), based on the anticipated needs of people in the storm’s path. This forward-looking outlay meant that communities could count on emergency assistance without having to wait for fundraising after the storm.In the days following the hurricane, the IFRC also launched an emergency appeal of CHF 4 million to provide immediate humanitarian assistance, protection and recovery support to the most affected families. The operation will support 25,000 people (5,000 households) over a one-year period.In the initial days, the focus will be on the distribution of relief items and short-term shelter solutions that will cover people’s immediate needs. Over time, however, the plan is to also carry out interventions that help people ensure access to dignified and safe shelter — focusing on building back better — as well as provision of cash and vouchers for specific goods.It will also offer various supports for restoration of livelihoods. Due to the storm’s impact on infrastructure, many people on the islands have been left without an income. In Barbados, the fisheries industry and small business owners along the southern coastlines were heavily affected by storm surges that caused widespread damage.Health interventions are also planned to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. National Societies will focus on supporting people’s hygiene needs as well as safe water, mainly through the delivery of household water-treatment kits.More storms to comeOn the minds of all Red Cross National Societies in the region is the fact that hurricane season is just beginning. This is one reason the emergency appeal also supports interventions aimed at reducing people’s vulnerability to future disasters and enhancing community disaster response.With Hurricane Beryl now one week in the past, residents must now try put their lives back on track while at the same time, getting ready for whatever might come next.This is the new reality that Caribbean small island nations face as hotter-than-normal water temperatures in the southern Atlantic and Caribbean act as fuel for storms, causing them to intensify quickly into major hurricanes. This gives communities less time in between storms to recover and prepare.“Events like these are no longer a one-off and this highlights the need for local actors to lead the way in preparedness and anticipatory action,” added Rhea Pierre,the IFRC’s disaster manager for the English and Dutch-speaking Caribbean. “We are seeing that kind of preparedness in action right now.”
Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Grenada and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on 1 July as a Category 4 hurricane and has since left a trail of devastation across the Caribbean. Through this emergency appeal, the IFRC and its membership aim to support the Red Cross Societies of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada, Barbados, and Jamaica in their response to the hurricane through the provision of immediate humanitarian assistance, protection, and recovery support for the most affected families. The IFRC and its membership will support 25,000 people (5,000 households) for a period of 12 months.
Dhaka/Kuala Lumpur/GenevaThe Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and others, has a launched an emergency response in the wake of devastation caused by Cyclone Remal. The IFRC launched a CHF 12.5 million Emergency Appeal that aims to assist 650,000 people in the 8 hardest-hit districts with clean water, food, medical aid and cash assistance.Cyclone Remal has left southern Bangladesh in a state of crisis, affecting over 4.59 million people and causing extensive damage to approximately 150,000 households in 19 coastal districts. Making landfall on 27 May near the Bangladesh-India border, the cyclone brought wind speeds of up to 111 km/h and storm surges of 5-8 feet, resulting in severe flooding and prolonged power outages for 27 million people.People were killed, homes destroyed, and the cyclone disrupted infrastructure, including airports in Chittagong and Cox's Bazar, leading to international flight cancellations from Dhaka.Alberto Bocanegra, Head of Delegation for the IFRC in Bangladesh, said,“The devastation caused by Cyclone Remal is immense, and immediate support is vital.Our Emergency Appeal will quickly attend to families with damaged houses, and the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities. Furthermore, critical assistance will be proved to those severely impacted in terms of livelihoods such as agriculture, fish farming, and marginalized groups, displaced individuals living in collective centers, with relatives, or in others’ houses, and families with vulnerable groups.”“We urge the international community to stand with Bangladesh during this critical time.”Kazi Shofiqul Azam, Secretary General of BDRCS, added, “Our volunteers have been on the ground from the onset, providing critical assistance. Support from our partners and the global community is essential for individuals affected and the community system to recover well.”In Cox’s Bazar, the cyclone caused minor landslides and damaged 500 makeshift shelters, affecting 3,000 individuals. In Bhashan Char, heavy rains led to waterlogging and minor infrastructure damage.Further crisis would emerge if we do not attend to all the above to well.”As the cyclone continues to wreak havoc, the Red Cross Red Crescent network calls for urgent global support to provide essential aid to those affected.Notes to Editors:For more information or to request interviews, please contact: [email protected] In Bangladesh:Areefa Sinha, +8801970089077, Al-Shahriar Rupam, +8801761775075,In Kuala Lumpur:Afrhill Rances, +60192713641In Geneva,Andrew Thomas +41 76 367 6587Tommaso Della Longa + 41 79 708 4367
An interview with Juan Bazo, climate scientist with the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, by Susana Arroyo Barrantes, IFRC Americas Regional Communications ManagerSusana Arroyo:In October 2023, Hurricane Otis caused a lot of astonishment after it went from a tropical storm to a category 5 hurricane in just 12 hours. According to the U.S. National Hurricane Center, it was the most powerful hurricane ever recorded on the Mexican Pacific coast. Did El Niño have something to do with the rapid intensification of Otis?Juan Bazos: It was a combination of warm oceans, along with El Niño. In addition, the entire Pacific coastline of Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, and the coasts of Costa Rica, have been very warm. This has allowed the formation of cyclones and storms. Some of these storms have even passed from the Atlantic to the Pacific.Regarding the intensification, this has happened before, Hurricane Patricia in 2015, also had this very rapid intensification in less than 12 hours off the Pacific coast of Mexico, but the impact was not in a very populated area.For a scientific point of view, it is increasingly difficult to forecast this type of intensification. Most, if not all, of the models failed in the short-term forecast, which is one of the most reliable forecasts we have in meteorology. This is due to several factors: the rapid intensification, very local atmospheric conditions, and the temperature of the ocean water in this part of the Mexican coast.Increasingly, intensification is not only occurring in the Pacific and Atlantic of our region, but also in the Indian Ocean. In The Philippines, this has happened many times. That is a challenge, both for the climate services and for the humanitarian response.SA: One thing we depend on to make life-saving decisions is rigorous, accurate, effective forecasts. If we are moving towards an era of greater uncertainty, then we must also look at how we anticipate on other fronts. What can we expect for this year?JB: In the following months, we would normally be entering a neutral period and quickly passing to La Niña phenomenon. And this will also bring its consequences, changing the whole panorama. It could be that this year we will have to prepare for a hurricane season that may be higher than normal. So, we must keep monitoring, considering the climate crisis and the Atlantic Ocean that is still very warm.SA: The IFRC has tried to make more alliances with meteorological institutions dedicated to researching, monitoring, and understanding the climate. Is that one of the paths to the future, to strengthen this alliance? JB: Increasingly, the IFRC has scientific technical entities as its main allies, to make reliable decisions, and I think that is the way we must continue to work. Scientific information will bring us information for our programs and operations at different time scales, in the short, medium, and long term.We must not ignore climate projections but plan how we can adapt knowing that the climate is going to change. This is part of our work, from our policies to our interventions and I think the Red Cross and Red Crescent network does this very well. However, we need to empower ourselves more, get closer to the technical scientific entities, the academia, which are our allies. They can bring us much more information — much richer, much more localized. And this is the next step we must take.SA: Many changes are also coming in the field of meteorology. Now, using artificial intelligence (AI) and increasingly large amounts of data, there will be changes and likely improvements in forecasting. Could we therefore get more reliable forecasts in terms of rapid intensification?JB: Artificial Intelligence opens a lot of room for innovation. Meteorology is not 100 per cent accurate. There is always that degree of uncertainty and there are going to be failures. It is part of our planet's atmospheric chaos, of its complexity and the many variables that play a role in weather forecasting. In that sense, AI will be a great added value for the improvement of forecasts.This brings to the table the need for 1) greater investment in forecast-based early action systems, 2) early warning systems that are more agile, flexible, and capable of informing and mobilizing the population in record time, and 3) humanitarian aid that is pre-positioned to respond to disasters as they occur.IFRC is a lead in the Early Warnings For All Initiative, which will provide early warnings to people across the globe by 2027. Learn more.
Tropical Cyclone Lola made landfall on the eastern shores of Vanuatu’s Maewo and Pentecost islands on the night of 25 October as a category 4 storm with 205 km/hr winds. Heavy rainfalls with flash flooding were experienced over low-lying areas and close to riverbanks causing coastal flooding. It is estimated that approximately 200,000 people were exposed to the effect of the cyclone, with estimates of 150,000 people (30,000 Households) being more directly affected (close to half the country’s population). The IFRC and its membership are seeking CHF 2.5 million to support Vanuatu Red Cross Society to provide support to 30,000 people in need of assistance following the cyclone.
Geneva, 22 September 2023 -As proved so tragically in Libya last week, while water holds the key to life, alltoo often it kills. Whether – like in Derna - it’s too much water leading to floods, or too little water causing droughts, or polluted water resulting in health risks, addressing the dangers that water poses can save lives. As climate change intensifies these threats, there is an urgent need for action. That is why a new collaboration matters so much. With funding and support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands ‘Water at the Heart of Climate Action’ is an ambitious partnership between the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), The Netherlands Red Cross, the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Systematic Observations Financing Facility (SOFF). This collaboration will combine local knowledge and global technology to help communities understand and act on the water-related risks they face - before they become disasters. The programme is focused on supporting the countries of Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan,and Uganda, which make up the Nile River basin. These countries are not only among the Least Developed Countries in the world but are also highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. To ensure the implementation of this five-year partnership, the Government of the Netherlands has generously committed 52 million Swiss Francs (55 million euros). The aim of the ‘Water at the Heart’ collaboration is to address climate-related risks that too often fall between the cracks of most country-level water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) policies. It will focus on practical, locally-driven action to better anticipate disasters and prepare communities well in advance. It will also use the latest science and technology to monitor and forecast weather and water-related hazards. It furthermore invests in communications technologies to warn communities of what is coming and enable early action. As a result, this programme is a direct contribution to the implementation of the UN Secretary General’s ‘Early Warnings for All’ initiative. Jagan Chapagain, the Secretary General of the IFRC said: “Water is life. But too much or too little water can wreak havoc on people’s lives and homes. Almost three-quarters of all recent humanitarian disasters were water related. This initiative makes mitigation of the impact of such disasters an absolute priority. With thousands of IFRC network volunteers across South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda, the IFRC network is uniquely positioned to deliver innovative and trusted local action. Through our partners, those actions can be informed by technology including the best forecasting and observation. This really is a ‘sandbags to satellites’ all-encompassing initiative.” Mami Mizutori, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the head of UNDRR said: “To save lives, lift people out of poverty and ensure that development gains are sustainable and irreversible, we must stop hazards from becoming disasters. Water at the Heart of Climate Action is a demonstration of the commitment of the Netherlands to helping some of the most vulnerable countries build their resilience in the face of climate change.” Maarten van Aalst, Director General of the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) said: “As a national Meteorological Institute, we see the rapid increase in weather extremes in our changing climate, and we realize that we need partnerships all across society to make sure our warnings lead to early actions. The Netherlands’ vulnerability as a low-lying delta is significantly reduced by the power of good data and predictions, and the ability to act on that information — from satellites to sandbags. Water at the heart will strengthen our peers in the Global South to deliver similar services, and KNMI is proud to be supporting those efforts with peer support.” WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas said: “The majority of hazards are water-related, particularly floods and droughts. Climate change will further increase the frequency and severity of these events. End-to-end early warning systems are critical to save lives and minimize the impact of disasters. WMO is working with SOFF to close the basic weather and climate observation data gap and strengthen the foundational element of better data for better forecasts. Water at the Heart of Climate Action will make a tangible contribution to the Early Warnings for All initiative.” Paul Bekkers, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the UN, WTO and other international organizations in Geneva, said: “Water should not be posing risks to vulnerable frontline communities! On the contrary, we can empower communities to transform water from a hazard into a valuable resource. By leveraging indigenous knowledge and investing in early warning systems. The Netherlands proudly supports this partnership that places the needs of local communities at the heart of water action!” REPRESENTATIVES WILL BE TALKING ABOUT ‘WATER AT THE HEART’ AT THE UN PRESS BRIEFING IN GENEVA FROM 10.30AM ON FRIDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER. THE VIDEO OF THE BRIEFING WILL BE POSTED HERE SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. FOR INTERVIEWS WITH THOSE INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT VIA THE DETAILS BELOW IFRC - Andrew Thomas / [email protected] / +41763676587 CLIMATE CENTRE - Alex Wynter / [email protected] / +447717470855 WMO – Clare Nullis / [email protected] / +41797091397 SOFF - Pauline Trepczyk / [email protected] / +41796407857 UNDRR – Jeanette Elsworth / [email protected] / +41766911020 PERMAMENT REPRESENTATION OF THE NETHERLANDS - Joyce Langewen / [email protected] / +41794486110 NETHERLANDS RED CROSS - Bastiaan van Blokland / [email protected] / +31704455612
Nairobi, Kenya. 17 February 2022 – As parts of Southern Africa are reeling from the impacts of tropical storms and cyclones and other parts of the continent are facing severe droughts, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is calling for urgent investment in local action to combat the effects of climate change. The call comes ahead of the 6th European Union-African Union (EU-AU) Summit which gets underway today in Brussels, Belgium. Recently, tropical storm Ana in Mozambique, Malawi, and Madagascar, and cyclone Batsirai in Madagascar again, left hundreds of thousands of people displaced, homes destroyed, and infrastructure worth billions of dollars damaged. At the same time, humanitarian organizations in Africa warned this week of a catastrophic hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa (Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia) where more than 20 million people are feared to face starvation because of prolonged drought. The Sahel and West Africa, particularly Nigeria, also face a deteriorating food security situation. Mohammed Mukhier, the Regional Director for IFRC Africa said: “What we are witnessing is a manifestation of the impact of climate change on the continent. We need to strengthen investments in local preventative measures that build people’s ability to cope with these intensifying disasters.” Countries in Africa are only responsible for four per cent of global carbon emissions, and at the same time disproportionately affected by the widespread consequences of climate change and accelerated environmental degradation. Yet, climate financing pledged by world leaders is slow to reach the people on the ground who are most exposed to climate risks. Ahead of the Summit, the IFRC calls for renewed efforts to build and implement a new Africa-EU Partnership that would answer to the needs of the most vulnerable people exposed to the impacts of climate change and the environmental crisis, strengthen food and health security and address forced migration. In the longer term, the role of local actors should be strengthened to support communities in building resilience and addressing humanitarian and development challenges on the continent. Communities in Africa and elsewhere are also increasingly impacted by multiple hazards in addition to the changing climate, which are compounding their vulnerabilities and affecting their capacity to cope. “Communities can hardly recover before they are hit by another disaster. Madagascar is a case in point where we saw a devastating drought last year, and before those effects could be relieved, some of those same communities have been impacted by cyclone Batsirai recently.” said Andoniaina Ratsimamanga, Secretary-General of the Malagasy Red Cross Society. To support countries to cope, there is an urgent need to address underlying vulnerabilities in communities, including poverty and marginalization, and providing support to those most exposed to the impacts of climate change. At the same time, there is incredible potential that lies within the African continent to address these challenges, including innovative approaches by young people and women to issues such as land restoration and the use of digital platforms. For more information, or to request an interview, please contact: In Nairobi: Euloge Ishimwe, +254 735 437 906, [email protected] In South Africa: Thandie Mwape, +27 66 486 8455, [email protected]
Antananarivo/Nairobi, 4 February 2022—Tropical Cyclone Batsirai, is expected to strike the Atsinanana region of Madagascar tomorrow, only weeks after tropical storm Ana wreaked havoc in the country. Ahead of its landfall, Madagascar Red Cross Society’s teams in the region are preparing emergency relief items and helping communities in the path of the cyclone to move to safe areas. Andoniaina Ratsimamanga, the Secretary General of Madagascar Red Cross said: “Communities across the Atsinanana region are worried about the potential widespread damage the cyclone could cause. Many families urgently need temporary shelters, especially those whose homes are located in the areas that are likely to be impacted by the cyclone. It is predicted that about 4.4 million people are at risk across 14 districts; with about 595,000 expected to be directly affected, and more than 150,000 likely to be displaced. Red Cross teams Atsinanana region are rushing to make necessary preparations, with a view to saving as many lives as possible. “Madagascar Red Cross Society’s teams and partners are on high alert and are deployed in communities, warning them of the approaching storm. Red Cross teams are moving prepositioned emergency stocks from Grand Tana area (Ananalamanga) to Tamatave (Atsinanana), for ease of access. We are concerned by the size and projected impact of this intense cyclone. Our immediate response activities will focus on saving lives, and they will include search and rescue operations,” added Ratsimamanga. Moreover, Red Cross teams are working with the Government to identify and set up safe buildings which will be utilized as emergency accommodation centres. With emergency response efforts still ongoing due to the impact of tropical storm Ana that hit the Madagascar in late January, the impact of Batsirai could worsen the overall country’s humanitarian situation. The country’s emergency response efforts are overstretched, and the situation remains critical due to the impact of the recent widespread flooding, water stagnation and landslides caused by tropical storm Ana. At least 55 deaths have been recorded and more than 130,000 people have been forced to flee their homes to temporary shelters or host families in the last few weeks. The country is still grappling with a prolonged hunger crisis since 2021. IFRC and its partners are stepping up preparedness and response efforts, to assist more people—both those affected by Ana and those that are likely to be impacted by Batsirai IFRC’s Programmes and Operations Coordinator in Madagascar, Denis Bariyanga, who is overseeing emergency preparedness efforts, said. “We are already helping 2000 families affected by tropical storm Ana to meet their immediate needs. With the landfall of Batsirai, many more families in the country will require emergency relief items, including blankets, sleeping mats, kitchen sets, water, sanitation and hygiene, among others.” The IFRC had already released 428,609 Swiss francs from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) on 26 January 2022, to support Madagascar Red Cross to provide water, sanitation, and hygiene services, healthcare, and psychosocial support, as well as cash assistance for shelter, livelihood and basic needs. More financial resources are needed to meet the increasing needs on the ground. IFRC is revising its emergency appeal for funding the crisis response. For more information, or to request an interview, please contact: In Madagascar Mialy Caren Ramanantoanina, +261 329 842 144, [email protected] Ny Antsa Mirado Rakotondratsimba, +261 34 54 458 76, [email protected] Denis Bariyanga, (WhatsApp: +250 786 527 056), [email protected] María Mercedes Martínez; +261 32 1132 624, [email protected] In Nairobi Euloge Ishimwe, +254 735 437 906, [email protected]
By Robert Kaufman, Head of Philippines Country Office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Imagine getting hit by six typhoons during a deadly pandemic. For millions of people in the Philippines, this is their reality as 2020 comes crashing to a close. Predictions of the increasing severity and frequency of emergencies have come true. It’s heart-breaking, exhausting, and scary. But most of all it’s frustrating as much of this human and economic toll can be prevented. We have known about the brutal effects of climate change for a long time, yet we haven’t been doing enough to fix it. Debates about the effects of climate change or whether partners should support more preparedness are failing people. If your roof blows off three times in one month and this extreme weather happens with relentless certainty, there’s nothing to debate. It is time to prepare more for what’s coming. We know that the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world, topping the charts with the most disasters of all countries the past two years. It’s number two for the past decade just behind China. We know the number of climate-related disasters has risen almost 35% since the 1990s. The stuff of Hollywood movies has become a reality for tens of millions of people around the world, as they face bigger, more violent storms and more disease outbreaks. For decades we anticipated another pandemic. Hollywood blockbusters told horror stories of contagious diseases. Since 2008, we’ve seen fantasy become reality with several pandemics, the H1N1 flu virus, SARS and now COVID-19. Yet somehow, the world has been taken by surprise. Let’s make no mistake, we have made inroads. Governments, humanitarian agencies and countless communities deserve credit for helping to save lives. Just seven years ago, the most destructive typhoon to hit the Philippines on record, Haiyan, killed close to 7,000 people. When Typhoon Goni hit in 2020, a storm as strong as Haiyan, less than 70 lives were lost. Still, I’m frustrated. Early on in management, I learned that when you spend significant time and money on something, it is a priority. Most of the time and money in the aid sector is still spent on response, as if we don’t know what’s coming; neither the humanitarian community, the policymakers, nor the big donors. Why are we not using our extraordinary capacity to anticipate crises to prioritize our time and money? What price do we need to place on the lives of people who have died or had their livelihoods ripped apart by disease and disaster before we change our priorities? Today, we largely know the types of risks we are going to face, where they are going to hit and even in many cases, when. Many of the answers are clear as day.Typhoons strike the Philippines every November and December. Floods always follow drought in East Africa. We know the risks and we know what to do about it. The latest study on the value of preparedness confirms what we already knew. Every dollar invested in reducing risks from climate-related disasters saves us $6 when we are fixing up the mess, according to the United States Institute of Building Sciences and the United Nations. Super Typhoon Goni packed the most powerful winds of any storm in the world last year. Together with typhoon Vamco and other major storms, they came at a huge cost, seriously affecting the lives of more than 8.1 million people. More than 425,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. Among the millions whose livelihoods were disrupted, at least 200,000 farmers and fishermen lost their only source of income. The cost of agricultural damages totalled more than ₱12.3 billion (US260m) according to the Philippines Department of Agriculture. Together, the storms were considered the secondmost expensive typhoons on record, costing more than $US 1 billion. Money normally reserved for responding after disasters strike needs to be made available earlier and for longer-term solutions. We need to stop soil erosion, plant trees and improve drainage. We need to avoid crop wastage with better grain storage and irrigation. We need to build safer houses with stronger and more permanent foundations. We need to protect land rights and strengthen economic development and social protection programs so that people are not dependent on aid when disaster strikes. There needs to be a public accounting of how well resource allocation aligns with scientific prediction and the lessons we have learned. We must put our money where our mouth is. Failing is a dereliction of our responsibility to those most at risk and to ourselves. This past year, millions have faced often insurmountable hardships and heartache. We have a duty to protect the hope and dignity of those we pledge to support by ensuring everyone has a fair chance of a decent life. There just can’t be any more excuses.
Photo by Palestine Red Crescent Society Words by Ra’ed Al Nims, Palestine Red Crescent Society "We are drowning… Help us!" Palestine Red Crescent Society's Operations Room in Gaza received this distressing call during heavy rains, strong wind and cold weather in late January 2020. A team from the Red Crescent’s Disaster Management Unit (DMU) was immediately sent to the scene. What they found was an old, broken-down house with a roof that had started to cave in, causing mud, water and stones to fall into the rooms. "We were totally shocked by what we saw. Four brothers with their wives, children and their parents, 24 people in total, lived in this place that looked like it was slowly falling apart. Rain was falling down in torrents, and the children were terrified and crying", says Saleem Abou Ras, 26, a member of the DMU team. The team carried out a rapid assessment of the family’s needs and handed them tarpaulin sheets, cleaning tools, mattresses and blankets. "I live with my wife and five children in one room in this tiny house. Heavy rain made the roof of our room collapse and water, mud and stones fell on us while we were sleeping. My children were terrified. I did not know what to do. With the support from the Palestine Red Crescent, we managed to get through that horrible night", says Maher Al Kishawi, 38, one of the four brothers. "Our family is very big and we have no source of income. Without the help from the Red Crescent, our lives would have certainly been in danger", his wife, Suad Al Kishawi, 35, added. After that night, Red Crescent team visited the family again and provided them with additional relief items. "We are safe, at least for the time being. Most importantly, my children can now sleep in a warm room", Suad Al Kishawi says. The Red Crescent teams have distributed tarpaulin sheets, blankets, mattresses, heaters, hygiene kits and other relief items to around 450 families affected by cold weather in the West Bank and Gaza. Palestine Red Crescent Society continues to monitor the situation and to support people affected.
