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Learn more countries million volunteers Latest Vaccinations vital as COVID cripples Pacific countries 27/04/2022 | Press release Kuala Lumpur/Suva 28 April 2022 – The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are increasingly concerned for more than 1 million people in Pacific nations as they struggle with their first major wave of COVID-19 fuelled by the Omicron variants.Ramping up vaccinations is vital as the rapid surge in COVID infections is causing increasing death and illness in countries with low immunisation rates.COVID-free for almost two years, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Kiribati, and Samoa have all experienced outbreaks in their capitals, and the virus is spreading to vulnerable outer island communities which lack basic treatment and vaccination facilities.The virus is putting huge strains on fragile healthcare systems in population centres such as Honiara, Port Vila and Nuku’alofa. A rising number of healthcare workers are being struck down with COVID-19, further limiting health services and escalating the crisis.Sainiana Rokovucago, Acting Pacific Head of Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said:“It is critical that we reach the last mile with vaccinations in the most remote Pacific island villages. Every effort must be made by authorities to reach these communities, despite the logistical challenges of getting vaccines to these remote tropical islands.” “Red Cross volunteers are working with communities to understand the importance of getting vaccinated and maintaining hygiene to stem the spread of this dangerous virus.”Solomons Islands has reported more than 12,000 infections and more than 100 deaths since January, 2022. Vanuatu has reported over 6,000 cases and 12 deaths in the past two months. After the volcanic eruption and tsunami in January, Tonga is battling a triple disaster with over 9,000 cases and 11 deaths due to COVID.In the Solomon Islands, only 20 per cent of the population have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to Our World in Data. In Vanuatu, only 38 per cent have received two doses, considered the minimum initial protocol to help protect people.“There is strong evidence that vaccinations save lives. People in the Cook Islands are experiencing their first wave of the virus, yet due to the high vaccination rate of 100 per cent, they have been able to avoid severe illness and many deaths.” “It is critical that we do even more to counter misinformation, knowledge gaps and rumours about COVID-19 and vaccinations, by building trust and vaccine by understanding any concerns, answering questions, and fostering dialogue through trusted channels.” “COVID is far from over in the Pacific so we need to vaccinate everyone now”.For more information, contact:In Suva: Soneel Ram, +679 9983 688, [email protected]Asia Pacific Office: Preeti Abraham, +66 61 412 3910, [email protected]Asia Pacific Office: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, [email protected] Read more 27/04/2022 Vaccinations vital as COVID cripples Pacific countries Read more Vaccinations vital as COVID cripples Pacific countries 27/04/2022 Read more KwaZulu-Natal floods: Red Cross steps up response amid mounting humanitarian needs 26/04/2022 | Press release Pretoria/Nairobi/Geneva, 26 April 2022—The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) launched an 8 million Swiss franc emergency appeal to support the South African Red Cross Society (SARCS) to expand the scope of their assistance as humanitarian needs continue to outpace available resources.eThekwini municipality in the east coast of South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) was pummelled by rains on the weekend of 10 April. The meteorological department has stated that this is one of the heaviest floods recorded in a day in 60 years and has left a trail of destruction on human life, private property and infrastructure. The devastating floods have claimed over 400 lives so far. Over 50 people are unaccounted for, as search and rescue efforts continue. Damage to property and infrastructure is estimated to amount to billions of rands. Once the water subsided, thousands have been left without livelihoods and homes.Ruth van Rooyen, Senior Disaster Management Officer, IFRC Country Cluster Delegation for Southern Africa said:“The communities affected by the floods were already vulnerable due to the recent civil unrest and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, which had left many households without a source of income. Just as they were trying to rebuild, another disaster hit. Humanitarian aid is stretched, and partnerships are greatly needed as we support communities in their rebuilding process. This appeal aims to help communities build back better and regain the hope lost as they watched their lives washed away by the torrents of water.”According to national authorities, 123,808 people were affected, 448 people have died and over 30,000 are displaced, mostly in collective evacuation centers. Several dozens of people remain missing and unaccounted for. Rescue teams, including South Africa Red Cross Society volunteers, have been mobilized to the affected areas to search for the missing and bring others to safety.In the immediate aftermath of the floods, the IFRC released 330,000 Swiss francs (R5 351 866) from its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) to help SARCS rapidly respond and provide immediate assistance to more than 7,500 people (over 1,500 households). To respond to the greater needs, the emergency appeal will allow SARCS to support a total of 30,000 people (6,000 households) with various relief activities in evacuation centres to enable early recovery in affected communities. Families with severely damaged homes and those who are economically vulnerable having lost their livelihoods and lacking alternative coping mechanisms to meet their basic needs will be the main targeted groups. Particular attention will be given to homeless women and children.SARCS staff and volunteers have been mobilized and continue to respond to communities after floods hit. They have provided hot meals, psychosocial support, and the protection of family links to affected individuals. Red Cross teams have also distributed mattresses and provided first aid to displacement centres.ResourcesSome initial images from the field can be accessed on this link: https://shared.ifrc.org/c/1586For more information, or to request an interview please contact:In Pretoria: Robyn Lee Doyle, [email protected]In Nairobi: Susan Mbalu, [email protected]In Geneva: Anna Tuson, [email protected] Read more 26/04/2022 KwaZulu-Natal floods: Red Cross steps up response amid mounting humanitarian needs Read more KwaZulu-Natal floods: Red Cross steps up response amid mounting humanitarian needs 26/04/2022 Read more Tonga: Red Cross tackles triple disaster - COVID-19, volcanic fallout, tsunami 14/04/2022 | Press release Kuala Lumpur/Suva 15 April 2022 – Three months on from the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami, the Pacific island nation of Tonga is battling another disaster: its first serious outbreak of Covid-19 that has forced the Government to extend a State of Emergency and impose a series of lockdowns.The strict Covid measures have severely impacted the work of government and relief agencies and their ability to distribute relief. Tonga Red Cross has been forced to pare back operations for several weeks, relying on skeleton staff and a core group of volunteers to do essential “contactless” distributions.First detected in February, the virus reached the outer islands last month, jumping quarantine lines designed to contain it to the main island of Tongatapu. As a result, the lockdown was extended to the Ha’apai group – another blow to hard-hit island communities whose homes and livelihoods were ruined by the eruption and tsunami.After a three-week delay, a group of 25 Tonga Red Cross staff and volunteers was finally given permission by the Ministry of Health to travel by boat to islands in the Ha’apais to deliver food items, bottled water, family kits and washing kits.Observing strict “contactless” protocols, the relief teams left supplies on beaches for collection after departure.Sione Taumoefolau, Secretary-General of Tonga Red Cross said:“The people of Tonga are tough, but they have faced a once-in-a-lifetime triple disaster, making life very difficult and the relief and recovery operations even harder. “Following the devastation caused by the volcanic eruptions, being smothered by blankets of toxic ash and hit by a huge tsunami, and then Covid-19, it’s critical to balance the safety of our staff, the health of our communities, and the urgent need to deliver relief supplies. “Red Cross volunteers on the islands are a crucial lifeline in this operation, keeping us informed of the humanitarian needs on the ground and allowing us to shuttle in much-needed supplies. “More rain and bad weather during the cyclone season has also impacted our response to those affected.”The January disaster, combined with lockdown measures restricting business activity, has severely impacted Tonga’s economy. The World Bank puts the bill for overall damage at $US90.4 million – equivalent to 18.5% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).Katie Greenwood, Pacific Head of Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said:“Disasters of this scale can overwhelm the resources of any nation. It has required a well-coordinated regional response, with Pacific neighbours, the international community and a generous Tongan diaspora, to support vital local relief efforts. “This effort will extend well beyond the coming weeks and months, helping tsunami-devastated communities rebuild with safer homes and water supplies to be better prepared for future climate disasters.”For more information, contact:In Suva: Soneel Ram, +679 9983 688, [email protected]Asia Pacific Office: Antony Balmain, +60 12 230 8451, [email protected] Read more 14/04/2022 Tonga: Red Cross tackles triple disaster - COVID-19, volcanic fallout, tsunami Read more Tonga: Red Cross tackles triple disaster - COVID-19, volcanic fallout, tsunami 14/04/2022 Read more IFRC to support more than 2 million people affected by the conflict in Ukraine with its largest ever rollout of emergency cash assistance 14/04/2022 | Press release Geneva, 14 April 2022 – As the needs of people impacted by the conflict in Ukraine continue to grow, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is scaling up its response activities to meet immediate and urgent needs, both inside Ukraine and within the countries people have fled to seeking safety.Secretary General of the IFRC, Jagan Chapagain, says: “This will be IFRC’s most extensive emergency cash programme. Our number one priority is getting support to people who are most vulnerable. From our previous experience with cash assistance, we know it is a dignified approach to providing aid as quickly and efficiently as possible. While financial assistance is a major component of our response, we’re also scaling up across many other sectors including health. We have already reached 160,000 people with healthcare and first aid support, but the longer the conflict continues, the more extensive the health needs will become.”In its largest emergency financial assistance programme to date, IFRC aims to reach more than 2 million people with support, targeting 360,000 people in Ukraine and neighbouring countries within the first three months. Longer-term financial assistance will address the needs of affected people as the crisis evolves.IFRC Regional Director for Europe Birgitte Bischoff Ebbesen, says:“With every day that passes, we know vulnerabilities increase. Access to medical supplies, food, water, utilities, and other vital goods and services deteriorates. We know there are so many uncertainties for people right now, but one thing that’s clear is the needs are immense, and they will be for a long time.”IFRC is supporting more than 1 million people with over 1,800 metric tonnes of hygiene and kitchen items, blankets, food, mats and tarpaulins in Ukraine and surrounding countries.The IFRC Secretariat with its member National Societies have launched a Federation-wide response plan for 1.2 billion Swiss francs, which aims to assist 3.6 million people over two years, with multi-purpose cash assistance, health & care and water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as shelter and housing support. Globally, more than 55 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have supported the response to date. The IFRC Secretariat is supporting this response plan by appealing for 550 million Swiss francs to scale up support to National Societies in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.Media contacts:In Ukraine: Caroline Haga, +358 50 5980500, [email protected]In Poland: Jenelle Eli, +1 202 603-6803, [email protected]In Romania: Angela Hill, +40 758 450 185, [email protected]In Budapest: Nicole Robicheau, +36 30 167 2629, [email protected]In Budapest: Kathy Mueller, +1 226 376-4013 [email protected]In Geneva: Anna Tuson, +41 79 895 6924, [email protected]Learn more about the IFRC's work in cash and voucher assistance here. Read more 14/04/2022 IFRC to support more than 2 million people affected by the conflict in Ukraine with its largest ever rollout of emergency cash assistance Read more IFRC to support more than 2 million people affected by the conflict in Ukraine with its largest ever rollout of emergency cash assistance 14/04/2022 Read more St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Recovery efforts continue to be crucial one year after the La Soufrière eruption 08/04/2022 | Press release Kingston, Jamaica, April 8, 2022 – On April 9, 2021, the explosive eruption of the La Soufrière volcano in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) in the Caribbean, caused more than 13,000 people who live in the nearby red and orange zones to be evacuated. One year later, the impact of the disaster is still evident, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is focusing its efforts on shelter and socio-economic recovery, as the income of families has been affected by the eruption and the COVID-19 pandemic.Over the past year, the Red Cross has supported over 5,000 people with water, emergency relief supplies, hygiene and cleaning items, dignified housing solutions, risk communication and community engagement, as well as psychosocial and livelihood support.Bernard Morgan, President of the SVG Red Cross, said:“The Red Cross, along with our partners, has provided relief, psychosocial support, and access to basic services, however the work is still not done. We continue to focus our efforts on helping people recover, especially those who have lost their jobs or savings, and whose homes were severely damaged. The physical effects of the volcano may not be as visible now, but people are still dealing with the social, economic, and psychological effects of the eruption, especially the estimated 900 people who are still unable to move back to their homes.”The Red Cross provided multipurpose grants to support approximately 1000 persons as well as supermarket vouchers for over 800 persons. In addition, over 300 small enterprises have received grants to restart farming, fishing and businesses that were interrupted by the eruption.The Red Cross has supported over 210 highly vulnerable persons (74 families) to leave collective centres and to move into dignified shelter conditions through the provision of rental grants for a period of between 1-6 months depending on needs, with over 400 monthly grants distributed since September 2021.James Bellamy, IFRC Deputy Operations Manager in the Americas, said:“One year later, some people still don’t have their homes or usual means of income, as more than 100 homes continue to remain uninhabitable due to damage and increased risks from the eruption. The priority now for the Red Cross is to help communities strengthen and restore their livelihoods and living conditions. We will continue to assist families through our livelihood program, offer training opportunities and work with disadvantaged households to find long-term shelter solutions through both cash and in-kind assistance.”Children have been at the core of the humanitarian response, with over 500 receiving psychosocial support kits including learning and recreational items. The IFRC collaborated with partners, like UNICEF and the Gender Affairs unit, to ensure child friendly spaces in collective centres.With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and dengue outbreak, preventing the spread of the virus and dengue infections was a major part of the response. The Red Cross provided information about staying safe and healthy, and supplied family Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits, as well as 400 hand sanitizer wall mounted units to the Ministry of Education for schools reopening for face-to-face learning.The Red Cross also supported cleanup efforts following the eruption and distributed household cleaning kits to over 3,300 families and hygiene kits and COVID-19 kits to over 2,300 families.In April 2021, the IFRC launched an appeal for 2,000,000 CHF to assist over 5,000 people in affected communities with shelter, health, clean water and livelihood support.For more information:In St. Vincent: Attica Allen +1 (784) 454-1989, [email protected]In Jamaica: Trevesa DaSilva, +876 818 8575, [email protected]In Panama: Susana Arroyo Barrantes, +507 6999-3199, [email protected] Read more 08/04/2022 St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Recovery efforts continue to be crucial one year after the La Soufrière eruption Read more St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Recovery efforts continue to be crucial one year after the La Soufrière eruption 08/04/2022 Read more View more news and press releases Latest emergencies South Africa: Floods and landslides Deadly floods and landslides have devastated South Africa following three days of pounding rain in April 2022, prompting the country to declare a National State of Disaster. More than 100,000 people have been affected, thousands of homes have been destroyed and hundreds of people have tragically lost their lives. The worst affected areas are in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces. Through this emergency appeal, the IFRC will support the South African Red Cross Society to provide relief activities to 30,000 of the most affected people to meet their immediate needs and help them recover. Read more 23/04/2022 PDF | Emergency Appeal MDRZA012ea.pdf 23/04/2022 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Download Your help is needed Donate Ethiopia: Drought hunger crisis Across the Horn of Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia), millions of households are facing the effects of multiple concurrent shocks, including food insecurity due to drought. This emergency appeal will enable the IFRC to assistthe Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) in responding to this climate-induced hunger crisis. Money raised will help save lives, protect people's livelihoods, and promote the early recovery of the most food-insecure people. Read more 29/03/2022 PDF | Emergency Appeal Ethiopia - Hunger Crisis (MDRET027) 29/03/2022 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Download Your help is needed Donate Iran: Drought Iran has been suffering from unprecedented and widespread drought since July 2021. Alack of safe and sufficient water supply for drinking, hygiene, agriculture, animal farming and electrical power is having a devastating and increasingly unsustainable strain on people's health and income. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has been helping communities across the country to cope with the drought since July, with support from the Disaster Response Emergency Fund.This emergency appeal will support the Iranian Red Crescent to scale up its humanitarian response, targeting 800,000 people with water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, livelihoods, cash and protection assistance. Read more 03/03/2022 PDF | Emergency Appeal Iran - Drought (MDRIR009) 03/03/2022 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Download Your help is needed Donate Ukraine and impacted countries crisis Due to the conflict escalation in Ukraine, millions of people have left their homes and crossed into neighbouring countries. The Ukrainian Red Cross is helping people affected by the conflict as the security situation allows. National Societies in surrounding countries, with support from the IFRC, are assisting people leaving Ukraine with shelter, basic aid items and medical supplies. People from Ukraine will need long-term, ongoing support. Our priority is addressing the humanitarian needs of all people affected by the conflict, inside and outside Ukraine. Read more 12/04/2022 PDF | Emergency Appeal Ukraine and impacted countries crisis (MGR65002) 12/04/2022 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Download Your help is needed Donate Madagascar: Tropical storm and cyclone Torrential rains and widespread flooding in early 2022 severely affected communities across Madagascar. The country was badly hit by Tropical Storm Ana on 23 January followed byCyclone Batsiraion 5 February, affecting hundreds of thousands of people. This Emergency Appeal will enable the IFRC to support the Malagasy Red Cross in helping vulnerable people impacted by these multiple weather systems. Priorities includefood assistance, emergency shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as health, nutrition and protection services. Read more 04/02/2022 PDF | Emergency Appeal MDRMG018ea.pdf 04/02/2022 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Download Your help is needed Donate View more Emergencies Directory Discover contact information for all 192 member Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, as well as for our five IFRC regional offices. View the directory Featured report Everyone Counts Report 2022 The Everyone Counts report is a flagship publication of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), reporting on the extraordinary achievements of all our 192 National Societies. The report takes the pulse of the network, going beyond asking ‘how many?’ by telling the invaluable stories behind the numbers. Read more Volunteer with us Want to save lives and change minds? 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