IFRC Weekly News

In this episode, we take a closer look at the rapidly evolving humanitarian crisis across the Middle East and the immense challenges facing responders on the ground. As needs escalate across multiple countries, millions of people are being displaced, injured, or left without access to essential services such as healthcare, shelter, and clean water.

In this episode, we discuss the findings of the newly released World Disasters Report and its warning that harmful information is becoming a growing threat during crises. Between 2020 and 2024, disasters affected nearly 700 million people worldwide, while humanitarian needs have more than doubled. Yet beyond climate shocks and conflict, the report highlights how misinformation and dehumanizing narratives are eroding trust, endangering volunteers, and obstructing life-saving aid.

In this episode, we focus on Ukraine as the country marks the fourth anniversary of the escalation of the international armed conflict. Ongoing attacks on energy infrastructure have left millions of people facing rolling blackouts, limited access to heating, water and healthcare, and worsening living conditions during one of the coldest winters in recent years.

In this episode, we turn our attention to Argentina and Chile, where severe wildfires have torn through communities, forests and livelihoods, forcing mass evacuations and leaving widespread destruction in their wake. Tens of thousands of people have been affected, with homes destroyed, communities displaced and families facing serious health risks from smoke inhalation—particularly children, older people and pregnant women.

Red Cross teams are responding to urgent needs, from first aid and psychosocial support to cash assistance, relief distributions and support in evacuation centres.

In this episode, we head to Italy as the 2026 Winter Olympics get underway across alpine and urban venues, bringing together athletes and spectators from around the world. Behind the scenes, the Italian Red Cross is playing a crucial role in keeping the Games safe, accessible, and inclusive.

In this episode, we turn our attention to Syria, where severe winter storms and heavy rainfall have triggered flooding across parts of the country, impacting families already grappling with years of conflict, displacement and economic hardship. Floodwaters have swept through residential areas and displacement camps, damaging shelters, cutting off roads, and heightening the risk of waterborne disease during an already harsh winter.

In this episode, we mark 100 days since the escalation of fighting in and around El Fasher in Darfur, as Sudan’s humanitarian crisis continues to spiral. Civilians are facing extreme violence, mass displacement, and acute shortages of food, water, healthcare and basic services, while access for humanitarian actors remains severely constrained across large parts of the country.

In this episode, we look back three months after Hurricane Melissa tore through the Caribbean and examine how communities in Jamaica and Cuba are coping as the spotlight fades and long-term recovery begins. Homes and livelihoods were destroyed, schools damaged, and thousands of families pushed into crisis, and while emergency relief is winding down, needs on the ground are growing.

In this episode, we turn our focus to Mozambique, where weeks of heavy rainfall have triggered widespread flooding, displacing families, destroying homes and livelihoods, and cutting off entire communities as rivers and dams reach critical levels.

The IFRC and the Mozambique Red Cross are working alongside authorities and partners to support early warnings, evacuations, emergency relief, and preparedness for potential future shocks.

In this episode, we focus on Ukraine, as the armed conflict continues and winter deepens the humanitarian crisis. Amid ongoing strikes on cities including Kyiv, attacks on energy infrastructure have disrupted heating and electricity supplies, leaving families struggling to stay warm in sub-zero temperatures.