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

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

Hope flows back after the floods: Cash assistance from Viet Nam Red Cross and IFRC helps families recover their lives and livelihoods

Statement: The IFRC expresses its deep sorrow and sadness at the death of volunteer Samiha Rakhamiya of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent

Geneva, 8 February 2026 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies expresses its deep sorrow and sadness at the death of volunteer Samiha Rakhamiya of the Syrian Arab Red Crescent while carrying out a humanitarian mission to rescue people stranded by floods in rural Lattakia.The incident occurred at midnight between the 7 and 8 of February when a vehicle was swept into a valley in the Jabal al-Turkman area, resulting in the death of Samiha and injuries to four volunteers of varying severity. A fifth volunteer was injured during efforts to rescue a child stranded by the floods.Samiha served the Syrian Arab Red Crescent for more than 12 years, demonstrating remarkable dedication and courage throughout her humanitarian work. She was among the first responders to earthquakes and fires and most recently served as Disaster Management Coordinator in Lattakia, leaving a lasting impact on her colleagues and the communities she supported.The IFRC extends its heartfelt condolences to her family and to her colleagues at the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, and wishes a speedy recovery to the injured volunteers.For more information or to set up an interview contact:[email protected]

In the face of heatwaves and flooding, the Mexican Red Cross and the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance are promoting local solutions to measure and strengthen community resilience

This is an adaptation of the original article written by Brenda Ávila Flores, Francisco Gabriel Reyes Gil, Jessica Rosales, Karla Hernandez, and Daniela Aguilar, published on December 15, 2025.Mexico is vulnerable to a variety of climate-related risks. These include droughts in the northern desert region, frosts in the north-west and north-east, heavy rainfall in the south, and tropical cyclones along the coast.According to Mexico’s National Centre for Disaster Prevention, approximately 80 per cent of disaster-related costs in Mexico between 2000 and 2022 were associated with water-related events. Flooding in the country has consistently caused damage to infrastructure, loss of life, displacement of communities and economic losses.Heat waves are also common in Mexico during the summer; however, the National Water Commission reports that most of the country has experienced above-average temperatures due to climate change.Two contrasting locations are Mexicali and Veracruz (Sotavento). These locations differ widely in terms of their geography, the threats they face, their vulnerabilities and their capacities.Mexicali is an urban centre on the northern border where people work in agriculture, industry and services, but face extreme heat, scarce rainfall and limited cooling options.In contrast, peri-urban and rural communities in the Sotavento region depend on agriculture, experience abundant rainfall and have access to river systems. However, they are constantly exposed to flooding and tropical cyclones.Climate Resilience Measurement for CommunitiesIn recent months, the Mexican Red Cross has used the Climate Resilience Measurement for Communities (CRMC) framework to guide a holistic and participatory process. The CRMC is a data-driven process that help communities evaluate and measure their resilience to climate hazards. And then, using the results, they can identify and implement resilience-building interventions and run additional measurements to track improvements.This measurement process included people's concerns about flooding in Veracruz communities, as well as the health implications of heat-related vector-borne diseases in Mexicali. The framework enables context-specific information on climate resilience to be obtained. By linking local knowledge with regional action, the Mexican Red Cross and its partners are addressing the immediate risks of extreme heat and flooding while also shaping systemic solutions for Mexico's future.The programme works with local populations to strengthen flood resilience at household and community levels by implementing interventions such as forming community brigades, developing family emergency plans and raising risk awareness through community resilience fairs.In both rural and urban areas, the Mexican Red Cross facilitates collaboration and integration with various sectors, including health, education, universities, and civil protection. This knowledge and experience is shared with communities, professionals, and political leaders, and is used to promote better laws, policies, and plans.Heat wavesIn recent years, Mexicali has experienced record temperatures in summer and an increasing number of heat waves. In 2024 alone, 47 deaths were directly attributed to extreme heat, marking a notable rise compared to previous years. This trend highlights the urgent need to address extreme heat as a critical public health issue.In Mexicali, families and workers depend on improved infrastructure and protective equipment, such as air conditioning, thermally insulated buildings and public cooling centres. This is not only to safeguard their health, but also to maintain their livelihoods and economic activities.However, air conditioning is not accessible to all, and marginalised communities often experience power outages, which increases their vulnerability. This highlights the need to explore affordable, accessible alternative cooling solutions to ensure heat protection for the most vulnerable. The assessment conducted through the CRMC identified opportunities to improve understanding of, and implementation of, Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), which protect, manage and restore ecosystems in order to address climate challenges.“There is no single approach to increasing climate resilience”.Mexican Red Cross Resilience Programme TeamHurricanes and stormsThe municipalities of the Sotavento region in Veracruz are regularly affected by hurricanes and tropical cyclones. These events bring heavy rainfall, which causes flooding in the basin and in low-lying areas. A key factor in the region's resilience is the presence of community brigades: local groups trained in disaster preparedness and response. The CRMC analysis identified an opportunity to strengthen these brigades by providing them with training and coordination, and by linking them to Early Warning Systems (EWS), which currently have limited reach at the local level. This will ensure that the most vulnerable groups receive timely information that will prompt life-saving actions and reduce losses and damage. “While each community has its own particular circumstances, the CRMC's research in multiple communities reveals trends in the impact of floods and extreme heat on social and economic structures”.Mexican Red Cross Resilience Programme TeamA collaborative approachThe CRMC process generates localised, up-to-date information that provides valuable insight into both gaps and opportunities.The Mexican Red Cross uses these findings to design and implement resilience actions that address real needs while strengthening existing capacities. Guided by the programme's objectives, the Mexican Red Cross works to integrate climate resilience with disaster risk management and expand access to SAT for floods and heat among the most vulnerable populations. These findings emphasise the importance of promoting context-specific resilience measures and influencing local and regional stakeholders to address shared challenges.In implementing the CRMC, the Mexican Red Cross adopted an innovative approach to data collection, adapted to urban contexts and designed to protect staff and volunteers in complex environments. Rather than conducting door-to-door surveys, resilience fairs were organised in Mexicali and Veracruz. These events brought community members together to participate actively in measuring the CRMC and in interactive activities designed to raise awareness of the risks in their territories. Additionally, data was collected through focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders. These included community leaders and government authorities from various civil protection organisations.This timely engagement enabled critical stakeholders and potential partners to become involved from the outset, thereby building trust and credibility. This engagement continues today as the Mexican Red Cross communicates the main results of the CRMC to decision-makers and communities, strengthening shared responsibility, empowering local actors to lead resilience efforts and ensuring that actions are appropriated by those most affected.To complement the actions of the Mexican Red Cross at a local level, the IFRC will work to ensure that the lessons learned from this initiative are recognised, adopted and replicated internationally in various strategic areas.

Mozambique: Floods 2026

Since late December 2025, relentless rains and overflowing rivers have caused devastating floods across Mozambique. The floods have affected more than 650,000 people and destroyed homes, livelihoods, crops, water systems and critical infrastructure in seven provinces. With more rainfall forecast and the cyclone season underway, families displaced by the floods face rising risks of disease, hunger and prolonged loss of dignity, while national and local responders are overstretched. The Mozambique Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, is evacuating at-risk communities, delivering emergency relief, providing health and WASH support, and scaling up early recovery assistance. But the Mozambique Red Cross urgently needs more resources to continue reaching the most vulnerable with life-saving support.

Cape Verde: Red Cross helps flood-affected communities recover and rebuild

Four months ago, the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde were hit by torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin. Within hours, streets turned into raging torrents, sweeping away everything in their path.Thousands of homes and critical infrastructure were destroyed or severely damaged. Without strong national and international solidarity, and a rapid, coordinated response, many affected families would not have been able to cope with the impact.In Bela Vista, one of the hardest-hit neighbourhoods of Covada de Bruxa in São Vicente, the visible signs of the floods have slowly faded, but the invisible scars remain.Beyond the appearance of a return to normalcy, thousands of families continue to grapple with the long-term impacts of the disaster, struggling each day to rebuild their lives and restore their dignity.“When the flooding began, I wasn’t at home,” recalls Vera Lucia Andrade, a mother of six and a street vendor. “I ran back to try to save my child, who had stayed behind, and a few belongings, but the water was already everywhere.”A vital emergency responseIn the immediate aftermath of the floods, the Cape Verde Red Cross, supported by the IFRC, sprang into action. Hundreds of volunteers worked alongside local authorities to assist affected communities.The IFRC launched anemergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs and mobilized 565,000 Swiss francs from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in assisting those affected. Specialized teams, including Emergency Response Units (ERUs), were also deployed to strengthen the response.So far, more than 1,000 families have received assistance, including food kits and essential household items, while over 470 families have benefited from health support. Hygiene promotion activities have also reached more than 8,400 people, helping communities safeguard their health and well-being.Supporting the recovery of the most vulnerable familiesAs the emergency phase gradually transitions to recovery, efforts are now focused on restoring livelihoods. Some 580 households in São Vicente and Santo Antão have begun receiving cash assistance of 26,000 Cape Verdean escudos (CVE), or 235 euros, to help meet their basic needs.For Vera Lucia, head of household, this support is vital.“I truly appreciate the support from the Red Cross,”she says. “As a street vendor, I had not been able to work since the floods. With the money I received, I will be able to restart and expand my small business and provide for my family. I also hope later to build a protective wall behind my house to better withstand future floods.”Beyond cash assistance, the Cape Verde Red Cross, with support from the IFRC, is also helping to rehabilitate community water supply systems severely damaged by the floods in Santo Antão. Restoring these infrastructures is essential to prevent the risk of waterborne diseases and strengthen community resilience.“Here in Ribeira Da Cruz, people rely for potable water from the spring water catchment which has hardly affected,”says Vincenzo Buccheri, Team Leader of the ERU Water Supply Rehabilitation. “Thanks to our Cash for Work program, the community is rehabilitating infrastructure without the need for external contractors,”“We provide the materials, while residents, 50 per cent men and 50 per cent women, carry out the work themselves. This approach not only strengthens community resilience but also ensures sustainable ownership of the infrastructure.”Maintaining the momentum of solidarityFor Julio Mondlane, IFRC Operations Manager in Cape Verde, transitioning from emergency response to recovery requires sustained commitment.“The emergency response met the immediate needs of many communities,”he says. “Now, our priority is to help families recover sustainably and restore their livelihoods, while strengthening the Country Early Warning Early Actions Systems. This takes time, resources, and continued support from donors and partners. Without it, the most vulnerable communities risk remaining trapped in the crisis.”

A race against time: How a shepherd’s quick thinking saved a village in Pakistan from a sudden, devastating flood.

Early action in Yemen: How Red Crescent volunteers protected families from the floods

When heavy rains swept across Abs district in Yemen’s Hajjah governorate last August, thousands of internally displaced families - uprooted by conflict and living in fragile shelters - found themselves exposed within minutes.Tents collapsed, roofs made of lightweight materials disintegrated, and families woke up surrounded by mud and rising water with nowhere to go.For many, the night felt endless. For some, it was life-threatening."It was very intense and very frightening." — A father’s night of fearHadi Mohammed Shaer Al-Aslami recounts the fear:"The rain was heavy and frightening. From 9 at night until 3 in the morning, it didn’t stop. It felt like a hurricane, extremely scary. I was holding onto the door with my young son next to me, crying. My mother’s shelter collapsed completely over her head. We never know how strong the rains will be each year, but this year, they were very intense and very frightening."Early preparedness supported by IFRC-DREFIn the days before the heaviest rains, Yemen Red Crescent Society (YRCS) teams had already been monitoring alerts, identifying at-risk areas, and encouraging families to move away from flood channels.These steps - supported by IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) - helped position teams and materials closer to high-risk communities.Dr. Ahmed Abdulkarim Nassar, Executive Director of YRCS in Hajjah, explains: "We were able to anticipate the disaster. We prepared our teams and identified the communities most at risk. We didn’t wait, we acted early."A race against rising waterWhen the rain intensified overnight, volunteers moved immediately. Thanks in part to the DREF allocation, YRCS teams reached displacement sites within the first hour, while the flooding was still unfolding."The response was quick and humane. Our teams were distributing relief items, providing first aid, and setting up temporary shelter," Dr. Ahmed recalls.Across the district, the destruction was severe.Volunteer Nasser Al-Adba'i describes: "Homes were destroyed and many families had nothing left. People were in the open, without shelter or food."YRCS was the only actor able to reach the sites in time."We were the only ones in the field at the right moment. We assessed the needs and started distributions right away," he says.Volunteers standing by familiesPreparedness measures taken days earlier, including awareness sessions, simple protective barriers to divert floodwater, and helping families move away from dangerous flood paths, reduced the impact in several high-risk areas."These early steps really helped," Nasser says.Volunteer Jaradah Abdullah recalls how a small protective barrier built earlier prevented an entire displacement site from being swept away: "Without it, we could have lost lives, not just homes."Shelter, cash, and relief for families who lost everythingYRCS volunteers worked around the clock to provide emergency shelter materials, transitional tents, mattresses, blankets, and cash assistance to help affected families buy food and essential items.Volunteer Lina Mohjib says: "The damage was huge, but the support gave people hope again. Without shelter and cash assistance, many would have had to leave the area completely."Volunteer Khaled Sultan also recalls families sleeping in the open, waiting for help: "People were outside with no shelter and no food. We were able to provide transitional shelters during those first days to protect them from the ongoing rains."Local action, strengthened by timely supportThe August floods in Abs highlighted the importance of local presence, early preparedness, and fast mobilization. Volunteers - many from the same communities affected - moved quickly to reach those in greatest danger.As Dr. Ahmed reflects: "This response strengthened our confidence in our ability to protect people early, before the situation becomes a tragedy."Preparedness and early action like this save lives.To see how the IFRC and its member National Societies help communities act before hazards turn into disasters, explore:• Early warning, early action at IFRC• How the IFRC-DREF supports rapid local response

Sri Lanka: Tropical Cyclone Ditwah

Cyclone Ditwah has slammed Sri Lanka with catastrophic rainfall and severe flooding, leaving more than a million people affected and forcing over 218,000 into crowded safety centers. Entire communities are cut off as roads and bridges remain impassable, while thousands of homes lie destroyedand the risk of further landslides and rising waters persists. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society is delivering first aid, assessments, and essential household items, but it urgently needs support to scale up assistance for the hardest-hit families. Your donation can make a difference – donate now to help the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society provide life-saving assistance.

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

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

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

Kuala Lumpur, Geneva 1 December 2025 - The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is responding to severe flooding that has affected millions of people across Southeast and South Asia. Countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Viet Nam are reporting widespread devastation, displacement, and urgent humanitarian needs.Intense monsoon rains and climate-driven weather extremes have triggered rapid-onset floods and landslides, destroying homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Families have lost homes and incomes, and thousands are sheltering in evacuation centers. Health risks from waterborne diseases and sanitation challenges are rising, while flooded roads and damaged bridges are cutting off access to essential services.In Indonesia, severe flooding and landslides have impacted 39 districts across Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, following high-intensity rains linked to Tropical Cyclone Senyar. Approximately 1.1 million people have been affected, with 290,700 displaced and 435 deaths reported. The Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) has mobilized staff and volunteers to conduct evacuations, provide First Aid, distribute clean water, and operate public kitchens, but access remains difficult and resources are stretched.In Sri Lanka, more than 968,000 people across 25 districts have been affected, with 193 deaths and 228 missing. Over 41,000 families are sheltering in official safety centers, while thousands remain with relatives. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has deployed over 3,500 volunteers to provide First Aid and distribute water, hygiene kits, bedding, and clothing. However, road closures and the risk of secondary landslides continue to hamper relief efforts.In Malaysia and Viet Nam, localized flooding has disrupted transport and essential services, compounding vulnerabilities for communities already facing economic pressures and climate-related shocks. Recovery will be slow and difficult without sustained support.Beyond immediate response, these floods underscore the urgent need for stronger legal and policy frameworks to protect people in disasters. The goal of the ongoing negotiations towards a Treaty on the Protection of Persons in the Event of Disasters (PPED) aims to establish binding international obligations for disaster risk reduction and humanitarian assistance. The Philippines and Thailand have played key roles in advancing this treaty, which would help ensure faster, more coordinated support and better protection for vulnerable communities in future crises.“The picture in Southeast Asia shows that you still need even better early warning systems. Even better shelter for people to go to in times of flooding if you're really going to mitigate these risks. Even more nature-based solutions - the planting of trees and mangroves in those places, particularly at risk of flooding to keep people safer. Better social protection systems in disaster so they can immediately get cash and get the food, the medicine, and the shelter they need when a disaster strikes. These are all things that the IFRC is working on and we'll continue to work on in the years to come,” says Alexander Matheou, IFRC Regional Director for Asia Pacific.Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are on the frontlines of the response, but the scale of needs is growing faster than local capacity. IFRC calls for urgent international support to meet immediate humanitarian needs and help communities rebuild. These floods are a stark reminder that climate-driven disasters are becoming the new normal, and investment in resilience and preparedness is critical.Note to editors:Visuals:Sri LankaThailandViet NamPhilippinesFor more information or to request an interview, please contact: [email protected] Kuala Lumpur: Afrhill Rances +60 19 271 3641In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa, +41 79 708 4367 Scott Craig, +41 76 370 3575

A journey to recovery: A story of homes, family, livelihoods and hope in the wake of overwhelming floods in Bangladesh

Pakistan floods: Escalating humanitarian crisis amid climate extremes

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

Pakistan: Monsoon Floods 2025

Relentless monsoon rains and glacial floods have devastated Pakistan, killing over 800 people, displacing tens of thousands, and destroying homes, roads, bridges, crops, and livestock. Communities face acute shortages of safe water, food, shelter, and healthcare, while rising disease outbreaks add to the crisis. The Pakistan Red Crescent Society, with IFRC support, is providing emergency relief and working to restore livelihoods and bolster the resilience of affected communities. But emergency responders urgently need more resources to reach the most vulnerable.Your donation can make a difference – donate now to help the Pakistan Red Crescent Society provide life-saving assistance.

IFRC launches emergency appeal to respond to devastating floods in Cape Verde

Praia/Nairobi/Geneva, 29 August 2025 – Heavy rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin on the night of 10–11 August unleashed devastating flash floods across Cape Verde, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people, with 5 still missing.More than 119, 000 people have been affected mainly due to damage to water systems, with over 5,500 households severely impacted, and the floods causing the displacement of 1,500 people in São Vicente.Thousands of homes have been destroyed or severely damaged, leaving many to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters. Livelihoods have also been decimated, plunging already vulnerable households into deeper crisis.The scale of destruction has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. Arlindo Carvalho, President of the Cape Verde Red Cross, says: “The scenes following the floods in São Vicente are heartbreaking. In just a few hours, the torrential rains turned streets into raging torrents, devastating everything in their path. Many families have lost everything.”The floods have also caused extensive damage to critical infrastructure. Five bridges have been destroyed, over 60 kilometres of roads damaged, and health facilities badly hit, including the complete loss of vaccines in São Vicente and partial losses elsewhere. Markets and supermarkets were also inundated with flood water, compounding the situation.A major and growing concern is the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a nation already struggling with prolonged drought and food insecurity, the disruption poses a severe threat of waterborne disease outbreaks.The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is launching an emergency appeal for 3 million Swiss francs to support the Cape Verde Red Cross in responding to the urgent humanitarian needs of 40,000 affected people.The funds will be used to deliver life-saving assistance, including shelter, essential household items, cash, food, clean water, and sanitation services. To support the immediate response, the IFRC has released CHF 565,565 from its disaster response emergency fund (DREF). Specialist teams have also been deployed to reinforce local response efforts.Alexandre Claudon de Vernisy, IFRC Head of Delegation for Cape Verde, Gambia, Mauritania, and Senegal says:“The scale of this disaster demands an urgent and robust response. It impacts every facet of life—shelter, food, water, sanitation, and livelihoods. The needs are vast, and immediate action is essential. With more rain forecasts in the coming weeks, swift intervention is critical to avert further suffering”.For more information or to set up interview, please contact: [email protected] Praia: Veronica Ramos Oliveira Custódio, +238 954 33 00/913 42 46 In Dakar: Moustapha Diallo, +221 77 450 10 04In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, +254 733 827 654In Geneva: Tommaso Della Longa +41 79 708 43 67 Hannah Copeland +41 76 236 9109

Cape Verde: Floods

Torrential rains triggered deadly flash floods across São Vicente and Santo Antão in Cape Verde, leaving over 119,000 people affected, with homes destroyed, health facilities flooded, and communities cut off. Thousands have lost access to safe water, food, and healthcare, while more heavy rains remain a looming threat. The Red Cross of Cape Verde, supported by the IFRC, is providing emergency relief, clean water, shelter, and health support but urgently needs resources to reach more families in crisis.

Cape Verde: Thousands of people devastated by sudden, severe floods

For many inhabitants of the Cape Verde archipelago, the night of 10-11 August 2025 will never be forgotten. Never before had they faced such devastation. In just a few hours, torrential rains brought by Tropical Storm Erin turned streets into raging torrents, triggered landslides, and destroyed vital infrastructure.Countless homes were destroyed or severely damaged, and the livelihoods of hundreds of families were wiped out. At least nine people lost their lives, and thousands were forced to seek refuge with relatives, neighbours, or in temporary shelters after losing everything.“My house collapsed in just a few hours. My children lost everything… and so did I,” says Alcídia dos Reis Fortes, a mother of five now sheltering in a school converted into a reception centre managed by the Red Cross.In the face of such destruction, the government declared a state of emergency and two days of national mourning. The islands of São Vicente and São Antão have been the hardest hit.Red Cross volunteers in Cape Verde were mobilized as soon as the first warnings were issued.“We immediately informed communities and helped evacuate families at risk,” explains Jamilson José Dos Santos Rodrigues, a volunteer, youth representative and currently head of operations for the local committee in São Vicente. He has been on the ground with a Red Cross team since the first hours of the disaster.The floods also caused the collapse of the central water supply system, leaving thousands without access to safe drinking water. In a country already weakened by drought and food insecurity, this disruption poses a serious additional threat: the spread of waterborne diseases.“Many families have nothing left to drink or cook with. We are distributing emergency kits, drinking water, and clothing, as well as providing psychosocial support. But the needs are far greater than what we can cover,” says Jamilson.“Today, every vital sector is affected—shelter, water, health, and food. International support is essential to meet the scale of this crisis,” stresses Sadrack Matanda, an emergency preparedness and response specialist deployed by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Cape Verde Red Cross.As an initial response, the IFRC plans to release emergency funds to assist affected families by providing shelter, water and sanitation services, and livelihood support. Shelter and water and sanitation specialists will also be deployed to strengthen the response.“We are continuing our assessments and do not rule out launching an emergency appeal to help communities overcome this unprecedented crisis,” Sadrack added.On 13 August, the Cape Verde Red Cross launched the national campaign #ReconstruirComEsperança to support affected.

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

Guinea: Community comes together to reduce disease and disaster risks

For as long as they can remember, the people of Dalafilani—a small, rural village of 2,000 people in central Guinea—have faced a recurring and significant problem: flooding.Every time heavy rains came, water coursed through the village, damaging homes and leaving large pools of polluted, stagnant water—the perfect breeding ground for waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases.Not only did the floods jeopardise people’s homes and health, they also caused economic pressures. Villagers used to have to frequently buy medicine to treat relatives who fell sick from flood-related diseases, diverting precious income from other daily needs.So when local Guinean Red Cross volunteers rallied the community together to discuss potential solutions, the community decided it would do whatever it takes to keep the floods—and diseases—at bay.A community diagnosis at the heart of changeThrough the Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3), trained Guinean Red Cross volunteers led the community through a participatory risk assessment to understand the problem, discuss the community’s needs and resources, and come up with a workable solution.“As members of this community, we worked together to identify the priority problems. During a community diagnosis, the residents recognized that flooding and wastewater were a major source of disease, and that their environment had a direct impact on their health, safety and livelihoods,” explains Guinean Red Cross volunteer, Sekou Oularé.“Together, we came up with the idea of constructing a system of canals through the village to evacuate flood and wastewater. The Red Cross facilitated this process, providing tools and logistical support,” he adds.Taking collective actionWith a plan of action agreed, villagers in Dalafilani quickly got to work turning their idea into reality.“We decided to mobilize the whole community. Men and women worked hand in hand to build the canals. We made bricks, dug trenches and transported materials. This work has enabled us to create a functional drainage system that carries rainwater and domestic wastewater away from our village,” explains Fanta Bö Kourouma, president of the Dalafilani youth group.Guinean Red Cross volunteers were on hand throughout the process—helping to build the canals, map out where they should run to most effectively carry water away from the village, and procure the necessary materials.A healthier, safer community in the long-termFollowing the construction of the canals, it didn’t take long for the community to see a positive change. The village is cleaner, there are no more pools of stagnant water following the rains, and families are relieved to see their children in better health.“Before, we had problems with illness, especially among children. They used to play in the dirty water and it made them sick. It was a heavy burden on our finances because of the cost of medicines. Today, thanks to the drainage system, there are fewer mosquitoes and fewer children are getting sick,” says Gbè Traoré, a resident of Dalafilani.Local health authorities have also reported a decrease in diseases, with head of the Dalafilani health post, Bernard Camara, recording significantly fewer medical consultations relating to malaria and water-borne diseases.Guinea Red Cross volunteers continue to support people in Dalafilani, conducting regular community meetings to raise awareness of epidemic risks and reinforce cleanliness efforts.Dalafilani village chief, Fodé Oularé, is relieved to see improvements to his community’s health, and understands they need to keep working together to keep disease risks at bay in the long-term.“Before, rainwater was running off in all directions, creating puddles of stagnant water. Now, with the system we've built, the water is drained away and we have a cleaner environment. The Red Cross has been working with us to raise awareness and maintain this progress, but it's up to us, the residents, to keep things clean to prevent disease,” he explains.--The activities featured in this article were delivered as part of the multi-country Community Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Programme (CP3) which ran from 2018-2025. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), CP3 supported communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and other partners to prepare for, prevent, detect and respond to disease threats. If you enjoyed this story and would like to learn more, sign up to the IFRC’s Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter.    

Brazil: Red Cross financial aid boosts recovery of thousands of families affected by floods in Rio Grande do Sul

A year ago, the world watched in disbelief as the modern city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, was submerged in one of the worst floods in its history. Between 29 April and 4 May 2024, it rained non-stop in the south of the country.Bridges collapsed, roads were washed away and stadiums were covered by water that almost reached the level of traffic lights. Entrances to public transport stations, schools and hospitals were invisible.Just a few weeks later, in June, new rains exacerbated the crisis. In total, more than 2.3 million people were affected, 182 died and more than 422,000 were forced to leave their homes.In the face of this emergency, the IFRC activated anEmergency Appeal, in order to expand the humanitarian response of the Brazilian Red Cross. Thanks to this effort, more than 14,000 people have received humanitarian assistance.As part of its humanitarian response, the Red Cross has distributed hygiene, cleaning and household disinfection items; and facilitated access to health services. In these first 12 months after the emergency:Nearly 5,000 people received comprehensive health care and first aid training.More than 4,500 people received hygiene and cleaning kits, jerrycans to store water and filters to make it safe to drink.About 7,200 people in nine communities received items such as mosquito nets, tarpaulins, solar lamps, kitchen sets, blankets and tool kits to repair homes.In addition, throughout the recovery process, the Red Cross has offered psychosocial support, information to prevent disease and a key service: cash transfers.Cash in hand to decide with autonomyIn times of crisis, every family has different needs. While some prioritise buying food, others need to repair their homes or pay off accumulated debts.This is why cash assistance is so important. Rather than receiving pre-selected items, families can choose where to spend the money based on their most pressing needs. Nobody knows them better than they do.By shopping at local markets, sales are restored and flood-affected businesses are able to purchase new stock and generate employment. This also supports the recovery of the socioeconomic backbone of the communities affected by the disaster.In southern Brazil, the cash transfer program began its pilot phase in July 2024. Priority was given to single-parent households with children under seven years old, the elderly, people with disabilities and/or chronic diseases, families affected by the floods in Porto Alegre and the metropolitan area, as well as in the Serra area.The articulation of the IFRC team deployed for the immediate response with the Brazilian Red Cross branches has been fundamental to reach the most vulnerable families, strengthen the capacities of local volunteers and move towards the recovery of the affected populations.‘An important aspect of this flood response operation in Rio Grande do Sul is our close collaboration with the Red Cross to identify local partners,’ comments Roxana Trigo Ballivian, IFRC Operations Manager for the emergency.‘One example is the Women in Construction Institute, a local NGO that identified women heads of households affected by the floods in the metropolitan region of Porto Alegre.’Thanks to the Red Cross's relationship with community actors, collaborating with this organisation's leaders enabled 215 households headed by women in Canoas to receive monetary assistance.To date,over 4,800 people have received financial assistance to meet their most urgent needs.How do families invest financial assistance?The families who receive assistance are free to decide how to use it. The Red Cross only maintains contact with them to receive recommendations on future deliveries, improve the experience of communities using our services, and ensure they are not exposed to any risks as a result of receiving this assistance.Six months after implementing this programme, we anonymously asked about the main uses of the money received. The majority of families invested in purchasing food and water, making home repairs, buying furniture, paying for basic services and paying off debts.Other expenses included buying clothes, medicines and hygiene products, paying rent, sending remittances to relatives and funeral costs."Cash assistance is an innovative approach that, in addition to being a practical solution, promotes personal autonomy while empowering communities and reviving local markets," explains Trigo.If you would like to learn more about how cash assistance is developed and delivered, we recommend visiting ourcash and voucher assistance page and watching the following video:

Cash assistance in Costa Rica and Panama: A tale of two towns with the same name and a common story of resilience, recovery and solidarity

Ana Grace Solís and Leonel Rodríguez live more than 800 kilometers apart and they’ve never met. But they have a few interesting things in common.First, they both live in towns named Bebedero, which as the name would suggest are located on the banks of a river. (In Spanish, bebedero usually means a place where people can access water – a fountain, a well or even a river).Second, they both suffered the severe consequences brought on by the heavy rains from tropical storm Sara in November 2024, as well as several other low-pressure systems that recently caused historic floods in Central America.While the towns are far part – one in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica and the other in the province of Los Santos, Panama – both were hit hard.That month, more than 1.1 million people were at dire risk due floods, river overflows and landslides caused by extreme weather events.It was a very scary time."You don't know how high the water will get," said Ana Grace, who lives in Bebedero in Costa Rica. "We used to watch the water rise and lift things to a certain height. Now, every time there is a flood, you lose things."Along the Pacific coast – from Guanacaste and Puntarenas in Costa Rica to Veraguas, Panama Este and the Ngäbe-Buglé comarca in Panama – entire communities were evacuated, cut off from communications, and they suffered severe economic losses.Fortunately, the two towns share another important point in common: they both received support from local Red Cross teams before, during and after the emergency."We are grateful for their support because they managed to get to where we were stuck and give us the help we needed," said Leonel, from El Bebedero, Panama.Two operations, one fund: IFRC-DREFThat support came largely from the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), a resource that finances rapid emergency response using funds already provided by donors in case of emergency.Faced with this multi-country crisis, the Costa Rican Red Cross and the Panamanian Red Cross, with the support of IFRC-DREF, implemented two humanitarian operations, one in each country.Their response included health care, access to clean water, protection of the most vulnerable, and an increasingly valued tool for its positive impact: cash transfers.The Costa Rican Red Cross aimed to help 7,500 people, focusing on the provinces of Guanacaste and Puntarenas. Of these, 4,000 received cash transfers, a strategy that allowed the people impacted by the disasters to prioritize and make decisions about their own needs.Following community censuses to identify the most vulnerable households, the Costa Rican Red Cross organised the delivery of debit cards in safe and accessible places, always respecting the dignity and privacy of the families."Providing them with financial assistance also allows the family to manage their own needs in a more independent and autonomous way, but also more adapted to their own context," explains Abigail Lopez, IFRC-DREF Emergency Coordinator in Costa Rica.For Fidel Espinoza, a dialysis patient who was evacuated during the emergency, the money allowed him to replace at least some of what he had lost. "I lost the washing machine and the chairs, the table, the kitchen. Now the only thing I have left is to buy a washing machine because the lady who helps me washes by hand," he said.The Red Cross humanitarian response also included health fairs to promote hygiene, post-flood waste management and disease prevention. Cleaning kits, jerry cans for drinking water and repellents were also distributed to strengthen communities' capacity to prevent further health crises.The Panamanian Red Cross was able to assist 2,500 people thanks to an operation structured in the same way as the Costa Rican Red Cross.The process for delivering the monetary assistance was participatory: socioeconomic evaluations were carried out, household data were validated, debit card distribution days were organized, and advice was given on the safe use of the money. During distribution, children participated in mental health activities.The families then invested in whatever they deemed necessary: food, medicines, tools for rebuilding or school supplies."It has been an excellent help that they have given to the community of Flores, including the emotional one," said Marisin Pimentel, who was affected by the floods. "The Red Cross guided us on issues that we did not know about at the time of the floods, and we really thank them from the bottom of our hearts. If there is another flood, we already know what to do”.Read more about cash and voucher assistance: A key tool in modern humanitarian action that allows a rapid and flexible response, empowers people to make their own decisions, and boosts local economies.The IFRC’s approach to cash and voucher assistanceDignifying, diverse and desires: Cash and vouchers as humanitarian assistance for migrantsBelize: After a season of drought and fire wiped out farmlands, Red Cross help farmers sow the seeds of recovery

Nepal floods: ‘I just want a safe place to live.’

A 75-year-old independent farmer, Gopi Lal Sapkota has spent his whole life caring for livestock and cultivating his land. On this small tract of land, he and his wife raised six sons, all of whom are now adults.Now, everything the couple owned — their house, the supply shed, and years’ worth of harvest that he had stored — are buried under layers of mud and rock.“It felt like the entire hill broke down and fell above us,” he said, his eyes reflecting the fear he felt that day.Amid the scattered rubble and debris, it’s hard to imagine this scene of destruction was once filled with lush, green plants and trees. The floods didn’t just wash away the topsoil needed to grow crops, they also destroyed hundreds of homes.A mother of two, Asha recalls the day when flash flood came, leaving her family with only the clothes on their back. Her husband, who worked in a nearby mine, was injured while desperately trying to escape the rising waters.The mine is now closed, and Asha worries about how long it will be before her husband can return to work, given his condition and the fact that medical attention is kilometers away over badly damaged roads.The road to recoveryTo help people like Asha and her husband, the Nepal Red Cross Society is providing a wide range of support, backed by the IFRC and numerous other Red Cross National Societies from around the world. A key element of that support is small cash grants that gives people flexibility to get the supplies they need to sustain their families and start to rebuild. With the support of an emergency allocation from IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the cash support is being distributed by the Nepal Red Cross Society and other Red Cross National Societies from the United Kingdom, The United States, Denmark, Switzerland, Singapore and Finland.As one of the people receiving multi-purpose cash support, Asha feels overwhelmed by the many responsibilities on her shoulders — with two small children to care for and her husband in the hospital.“I plan to use the funds for my husband’s medical attention; that’s what we need the most now,” she says.A married couple who tragically lost their 12-year-old eldest son in the flash flood, Bodh and Binda then had to search through the rubble to see if anything from their home could be salvaged.“The 15,000 rupee support means a lot to us because right now we are unable to cover our rent,” Binda adds. “Receiving cash allows us to spend on what we truly need, such as buying rice and hiring labour to dig out our belonging buried under the rocks.”Rehabilitating water systemsThe Red Cross is also helping communities repair damaged water and sanitation systems, or create new, safe water sources and hygiene facilities.This supportis expected to rehabilitate 100 water systems in six districts that benefit over 30,000 people.In one village, for example, they helped build a temporary reservoir that holds around 5,000 litres of water to support the daily water supply for about 25 nearby households.Red Cross teams are also promoting good health and sanitation practices to help people reduce the risk of infectious, water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever.Meanwhile, people face an uncertain future, and the government has recommended that many families to relocate as the area is no longer safe.75-year old farmer Gopi Lal Sapkota is not sure what path to take. “My wife still cries thinking about all that we have lost. I do not know who will cultivate my remaining land if I also leave? Where will I go?”

Ecuador: Floods and environmental contamination

Ecuador is facing a severe crisis due to extreme flooding and an oil spill, which has impacted over 200,000 people and damaged homes, roads, and water systems. The disaster has devastated agricultural operations, displaced thousands, while health risks have increased due to the accumulations of stagnant water. Ecuador Red Cross’ emergency response efforts aim to provide shelter, medical aid, safe water, and cash assistance to affected communities. Donations to this emergency appeal will help the Ecuador Red Cross provide urgent support to those in need.

IFRC supporting communities affected by major oil spill and floods in Ecuador

Quito/Panama City/Geneva, 25 March — The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 4 million CHF to protect the health and livelihoods of communities in Ecuador affected by the ongoing floods and the devastating oil spill which occurred there on 13 March. The accumulation of these disasters has impacted over 500,000 people in the provinces of El Oro, Esmeraldas, Guayas and Manabi. The IFRC has also allocated from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) 497,000 CHF of the 4 million CHF needed to ensure aid reaches communities immediately.In Esmeraldas, the oil spill has contaminated the Esmeraldas River, several of its tributaries and the country's northern coast, forcing the government to declare a state of emergency. Since day one, Ecuadorian Red Cross volunteers have been on the ground distributing emergency water supplies, providing first aid, and assessing the spill’s impact. Mitigating the risks associated with traces of hydrocarbons in drinking water is a priority. The spill has forced the local authorities to suspend the supply of piped water and activate distribution via water trucks. Three Red Cross water purification plants have been installed and have produced 152,000 liters of clean water in two days, enough to address the basic needs of 10,000 people.“The oil spill in Esmeraldas is an environmental and humanitarian catastrophe, with a profound impact on local communities. The Ecuadorian Red Cross has deployed all its resources to provide immediate relief, but international support is critical to help more people, ensure a more effective response and speed up long-term recovery. Only by working together can we ensure a safer future for the affected communities and our environment,” said Dr. Roque Soria, President of the Ecuadorian Red Cross.The IFRC emergency appeal will allow the Ecuadorian Red Cross to expand its response to both crises, with the aim of assisting over 175,000 people during the next 12 months. The operation will focus on providing clean drinking water and offering medical care, including mental health support. Red Cross volunteers will also provide shelter assistance for those whose homes have been damaged, essential hygiene and household items and cash transfers for the most affected families. "The country is facing a public health emergency. Toxic exposure, water contamination, disease proliferation and food insecurity caused by the floods and the oil spill are threatening entire communities, and if we do not act now, the long-term impacts will be devastating. We need urgent, coordinated action to protect people’s health, secure safe water, and prevent further harm," said Loyce Pace, IFRC Regional Director for the Americas.The Red Cross will focus its response to both disasters in the hardest-hit areas, addressing the needs of displaced families in temporary shelters, particularly single-parent households with young children, older adults, and people with disabilities. The Red Cross efforts will also support rural and riverine communities, including indigenous populations facing environmental risks and loss of traditional livelihoods.For more information and to set up an interview, please contact: [email protected] Panama - Susana Arroyo Barrantes +50769993199In Geneva – Tommaso Della Longa +41797084367 Hannah Copeland +41762369109

Best friends forever: Two women, friends since childhood, dedicate their lives to helping others

Cho Cho Aye and Phu Ngon Wai have been best friends since childhood.Now both at 26 years old, they share more than just childhood memories; they share a deep commitment to humanitarian service as volunteers at the Kyite Ma Yaw Township Red Cross Branch in Mon State.Their journey with the Red Cross began in 2014, right after completing high school and attending a Red Cross basic training session in their community. Beyond their humanitarian work, Cho is a tailor who designs and makes clothes, while Phu runs an online business selling women's apparel.A shared commitmentThey also share a deep commitment to supporting their community through their humanitarian volunteer work. And they share a first-hand understanding of the severe impacts that climate-related crises like storms and floods can have on people and communities.Cho vividly recalls one harrowing experience during the floods in June 2024.“The ground floor of my house was flooded, and my family was trapped inside,”she recalls. “I couldn’t go out, but I was certain my friends were out there, rescuing people. Compared to other houses, mine was still in good condition. As soon as I got in contact with them, I joined the rescue efforts, evacuating flooded neighbors and distributing food and water”.“It’s about recognizing the unseen efforts … I always try to be the one who can give support so that they can live without relying on anyone.”Myanmar Red Cross volunteer Phu Ngon WaiMyanmar is one of the most disaster-prone countries in Asia. During the monsoon season from May to October, the country is particularly vulnerable to widespread flooding and landslides, affecting thousands of people. In fact, nearly 95 per cent of the country’s total annual rainfall occurs during the monsoon season, often accompanied by tropical storms.In July 2024, heavy monsoon rains caused multiple rivers and waterways to overflow, leading to severe flooding throughout the country. This unprecedented flooding claimed lives and affected more than 100,000 people in both rural and urban areas across the country.The Myanmar Red Cross Society and the IFRC responded quickly. With support from an 825,000 Swiss franc allocation the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF), the Myanmar Red Cross Society provided both immediate relief and early recovery assistancein the most affected areas.“Seeing their smiles makes us happy. It’s this Red Cross mindset that keeps us moving forward – to be there for the people who need us the most.”Myanmar Red Cross volunteer Cho Cho AyeThese disasters frequently lead to mass displacement in villages and towns, particularly in low-lying areas like Kyite Ma Yaw Township in Mon State, southeast Myanmar, where Cho and Phu’s neighbourhood of 100 homes is located.As part of a team of dedicated Red Cross youth volunteers, the majority of Cho and Phu’s work now involves engaging with local communities to prepare before disaster strikes.Both of these volunteers have spent much of their lives building skills to stay safe, change their community and thrive. Throughout their Red Cross journey, for example, they have received extensive training in first aid and water rescue skills that are crucial during emergency responses.“I grew up swimming, so I’m not afraid of water. This is my strength. I believe that if men can do it, women can, too,” Cho said with confidence.They both share a strong belief that women play a key role as leaders in community empowerment. “There’s a saying, ‘Behind every great man is a great woman.”says Phu. “But why behind? There’s a gap. It’s about recognizing the unseen efforts. Not just for our community but for my colleagues and friends, I always try to be the one who can give support so that they can live without relying on anyone. Support should go both ways.”Whether it’s rescuing people during floods or delivering essential supplies, Cho and Pu never hesitate to answer the call for help, be it from the Red Cross branch or other charity groups. Their dedication has made them well-known and respected within the township.“When we deliver food to their homes, they’re already waiting at the door,” says Cho. “Seeing their smiles makes us happy. It’s this Red Cross mindset that keeps us moving forward – to be there for the people who need us the most.”While Cho dreams of becoming a fashion designer and Phu aims to expand her online business, their commitment to humanitarian work remains unwavering.“We are determined to continue volunteering with the Red Cross for as long as we live,” she says.Their dedication has strengthened the Kyite Ma Yaw Township Red Cross Branch, inspiring others to join. Today, their branch has grown to 20 volunteers, with many young women stepping forward to become humanitarians.“I believe that together, we can build a more inclusive and empowered future!” Phu said.How can you get involved?Learn more about volunteering within the IFRC NetworkLearn more about disaster preparedness efforts within the IFRC networkLearn more about International Women’s Day at the IFRCRead our other International Women’s Day stories:International Women's Day: ‘At first, I was afraid, but I’ve learned that with determination, anything is possible.’International Women's Day: Patricia’s path from exclusion to ‘a profound sense of belonging’How investing in women humanitarian leadership paid off in the Americas