World disasters and emergencies

A British Red Cross volunteer leads an older man out of a storm

Winter is here: but so is the Red Cross and Red Crescent

How the Red Cross is supporting communities in the UK and the world, including in Gaza and Ukraine this winter as temperatures plunge and the weather gets worse.

content type Story estimated reading time 4 minutes
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Emblems

Explainer: what is the Red Cross doing to help hostages in Gaza?

As a neutral intermediary, the International Committee of the Red Cross plays an important practical role once the release of hostages has been agreed.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
Man in Gaza sits in despair among destroyed buildings caused by conflict.

What's happening in Gaza? A desperate humanitarian crisis

Civilians are facing a desperate situation in Gaza as fighting continues and clean water, food, medical supplies and fuel are running out. There is immense heartbreak on all sides.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
Group of women gather their hands together in a sign of unity

The slum city with no fathers

… where women raise children – and tackle cyclones – in sisterhoods

content type Story estimated reading time 3 minutes
Internally displaced Afghan families, who fled from Kunduz, Takhar and Baghlan province, sit in front of their temporary tents at Sara-e-Shamali in Kabul on August 11, 2021.

Afghanistan in crisis: how you can help

The British Red Cross has launched an appeal for the people of Afghanistan, as millions face severe food shortages and hunger

content type Story estimated reading time 2 minutes
People wait for relief items to be taken off of truck following Afghanistan earthquake.

Afghanistan earthquake: thousands affected in Herat province

A deadly earthquake has killed more than 2,000 people in Herat, Afghanistan and left many families homeless.

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
A British Red Cross volunteer greets people at the airport

Afghanistan: one year on

Since evacuations began, the British Red Cross has supported thousands of people on arrival in the UK. There is still work to be done

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
A mother holds her baby in a dusty landscape in Taita Taveta in Kenya. She is surrounded by starving animals.

Africa hunger crisis: more than 140 million people are now struggling to eat

Soaring food prices, conflict and climate change are plunging Africa into a severe and enduring food crisis. The British Red Cross has launched an appeal to help avert catastrophe.

content type Article estimated reading time 5 minutes
A pair of hands hold harvested maize from a field

Africa food crisis: the Red Cross response

The Red Cross and Red Crescent are providing immediate aid as well as longer term solutions to the crisis

content type Story estimated reading time 4 minutes
A person from the Kenya Red Cross looks out at floodwater

"African voices must be heard at COP26"

Dr Asha Mohammed, Secretary General of the Kenyan Red Cross, on why communities on the frontline of climate change must be heard

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes
One of the Women's Squads of Barishal

It starts with her: an update on the brave women of Barishal

18 months into the ‘It starts with her’ programme, which received generous donations from the British public and UK government, women are getting heard.

content type Article estimated reading time 3 minutes
Emergency response volunteer Kenny drives through floodwater in a British Red Cross vehicle to reach the community of Fishlake, Doncaster.

Are extreme weather events becoming more frequent?

The Met Office’s senior climate scientist Nikos Christidis explains the link between extreme weather events and climate change

content type Article estimated reading time 2 minutes