A Belgian Red Cross worker holding a child while assisting migrants and refugees on the island of Lesvos, Greece, in October 2015.

World First Aid Day 2026: On the move, but not alone

This World First Aid Day is a reminder that first aid means no one has to face a health emergency alone, no matter where they are in the world.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network.

Our secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries, bringing together more than 18 million volunteers for the good of humanity.

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Ongoing operations

IFRC is supporting the Nepal Red Cross Society’s response to severe flash flooding in northern Nepal through a CHF 25 million Emergency Appeal and nearly CHF 1 million from the IFRC-DREF, as the National Society provides emergency relief items to affected communities as part of its initial response efforts.
 

Ongoing operations

IFRC is supporting the Colombian Red Cross response to the earthquake in Colombia, as the National Society continues relief distributions, health and psychosocial support, and recovery planning for affected communities.

Ongoing operations

IFRC is scaling up its Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while supporting preparedness efforts in neighbouring countries, as the outbreak expands to 60 health zones across six provinces and continues to pose a high risk of regional spread.

Ongoing operations

IFRC has released emergency funding through the IFRC-DREF to support the Zambia Red Cross Society’s response to a measles outbreak, including vaccination campaigns, contact tracing, health promotion and community awareness activities.

Ongoing operations

IFRC has released a DREF allocation to support the Liberian Red Cross response to severe flooding, providing cash assistance, shelter support, health and hygiene services, and access to clean water for affected communities.

Ongoing operations

IFRC is supporting the Yemen Red Crescent Society’s response to humanitarian needs arising from conflict escalation and flooding, as the National Society provides emergency medical services, evacuations, relief assistance and support to displaced communities.

Latest news

Uniforms under the rubble: the story of two Colombian Red Cross volunteers in Quibdó

Uniforms under the rubble: the story of two Colombian Red Cross volunteers in Quibdó

| Article

Colombia: IFRC calls for sustained support to earthquake-affected communities, one month on

Colombia: IFRC calls for sustained support to earthquake-affected communities, one month on

| Press release

Colombia: Three facts, two stories, and a vital lesson from the Red Cross one month after the earthquake

Colombia: Three facts, two stories, and a vital lesson from the Red Cross one month after the earthquake

| Article

Nepal floods: IFRC delivers safe water and health care to affected communities

Nepal floods: IFRC delivers safe water and health care to affected communities

| Press release
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Latest emergencies

Nepal Red Cross Society volunteers transport and distribute emergency supplies to communities affected by flash floods in northern Nepal in August 2026.

Nepal: Flash Floods 2026

Flash floods tore through northern Nepal on 26 August, claiming hundreds of lives, destroying homes, roads and bridges, and leaving entire communities displaces and cut off. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) is on the ground delivering clean water, shelter, first aid and emergency supplies.Donate today to help IFRC and the NRCS to scale up their response and bring life-saving assistance to those who need it most. Donations are made to the IFRC, which will channel resources to the NRCS and ensure accountability for their use.Read more: IFRC launches CHF 25 million Emergency Appeal in response to devastating Nepal flash floods

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28/08/2026

PDF | Emergency Appeal

Nepal - Floods (MDRNP022)

28/08/2026 | PDF | Emergency Appeal

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Funding icon
25,000,000
CHF Needed to help most vulnerable
Your help is needed
Donate
Colombian Red Cross volunteers respond in areas affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Colombia, where search-and-rescue operations and damage assessments remain ongoing.

Colombia: Earthquake 2026

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has devastated western Colombia, killing at least 176 people, injuring thousands more, and leaving families without homes, clean water, or medical care across 14 departments. Colombian Red Cross teams are on the ground right now — carrying out search and rescue, treating the injured, reuniting separated families, and getting emergency shelter and aid to those whohave lost everything — but the scale of destruction is outpacing what they can do alone.IFRC has launched an emergency appeal to support the response activities of the Colombian Red Cross. Donations are made to the IFRC, which will channel resources to its member National Society and ensure accountability for their use.Donate today to help IFRC and the Colombian Red Cross scale up their response and bring life-saving assistance to those who need it most.

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13/08/2026

PDF | Emergency Appeal

Colombia - Earthquake (MDRCO036)

13/08/2026 | PDF | Emergency Appeal

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Funding icon
25,000,000
CHF Needed to help most vulnerable
Your help is needed
Donate
Venezuela Red Cross teams respond to devastating earthquake.

Venezuela: Earthquake 2026

Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela, severely affecting Gran Caracas and La Guaira, and causing widespread destruction across the capital and surrounding areas. The Venezuelan Red Cross is on the ground, carrying out search and rescue operations, assisting the injured, and assessing urgent and growing needs.IFRC has launched an emergency appeal to support the response activities of the Venezuelan Red Cross. Donations are made to the IFRC, which will channel resources to its member National Society and ensure accountability for their use.Donate today to help IFRC and VRC scale up their response and bring life-saving assistance to those who need it most.

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26/06/2026

PDF | Emergency Appeal

Venezuela-Earthquake (MDRVE015)

26/06/2026 | PDF | Emergency Appeal

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Funding icon
50,000,000
CHF Needed to help most vulnerable
Your help is needed
Donate
A DRC Red Cross volunteer shares an educational leaflet and talks with a community member about Ebola prevention. Supported by the IFRC, volunteers are going door-to-door to combat misinformation and encourage early medical care.

Africa: Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak 2026

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

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22/05/2026

PDF | Emergency Appeal

EVD Regional Appeal (MDRS1007)

22/05/2026 | PDF | Emergency Appeal

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Funding icon
29,500,000
CHF Needed to help most vulnerable
Your help is needed
Donate
First responders from the Iranian Red Crescent dig through rubble looking for survivors.

Iran: Complex Emergency 2026

Since late February 2026, devastating strikes across Iran have killed hundreds, injured thousands, and disrupted essential services for up to 60 million people. The Iranian Red Crescent Society has mobilized thousands of responders to deliver search and rescue, medical aid, and emergency relief across the country — but the scale of need is far beyond what they can meet alone. Donate today to help the Iranian Red Crescent reach 10 million people with life-saving assistance.

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11/04/2026

PDF | Emergency Appeal Revision

Iran - Complex Emergency 2026 (MDRIR018)

11/04/2026 | PDF | Emergency Appeal Revision

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Funding icon
120,000,000
CHF Needed to help most vulnerable
Your help is needed
Donate
View more Emergencies

Our Global Plan for 2026

IFRC Global Plan 2026

The IFRC’s Global Plan 2026addresses the world’s most pressing humanitarian issues and outlines how the IFRC – as a global network of local actors – is evolving to place more resources and expertise closer to its 191 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The IFRC’s support for local humanitarian action is needed more than ever in a rapidly changing world where increasing numbers of people are placed at risk by climate extremes, disasters, health crises, displacement and other threats to their safety, security and wellbeing. The Global Planoutlines how the IFRC is evolving to ensure National Societies and their 17 million community-based volunteers are able to meet and address these challenges. In 2026, wherever people are at risk, the IFRC will work to empower the locally led humanitarian action that supports communities in crisis and builds the lasting resilience that reduces future needs.The executive summary of the plan is available here.

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