World disasters and emergencies

A scene of devastation following a tsunami, with palm trees on the horizon and large chunks of debris seen from the foreground all the way up to the palm trees

The Indian Ocean Boxing Day Tsunami, twenty years on

Looking back at the Indian Ocean disaster of 2004

content type Article estimated reading time 5 minutes
Museum within a Defender vehicle at London's Southbank to celebrate our 70 year partnership.

Celebrating 70 years with Defender

This year marks seven decades of partnership between the British Red Cross and Defender. Together, we've reached more than 2 million people in crisis, and we're not stopping there.

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A member of the Italian Red Cross treats a man affected by extreme heat in Italy in 2023.

Europe heatwaves 2024: protect your health from excessive heat

Many parts of the world are currently experiencing above-average temperatures with intense and prolonged heatwaves hitting Europe, India, Saudi Arabia, and North America.

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Palestinian Red Crescent staff and volunteers distribute aid deliveries in Gaza.

Gaza Crisis Appeal: frequently asked questions

Learn more about the British Red Cross's Gaza Crisis Appeal

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A severely malnourished baby lying in a hospital bed drinks from a bottle held by a pair hands wearing surgical gloves.

Gaza malnutrition crisis reaches catastrophic levels as the threat of famine looms

Palestine Red Crescent medical teams are battling severe child malnutrition amid resource shortages.

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A Palestine Red Crescent volunteer delivers aid to children in Gaza

How is aid getting into Gaza?

With more than 1.5 million people in Gaza at risk of famine, safe and unimpeded aid access is desperately needed. But how will it get delivered?

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
A row of Red Cross helmets and folded emergency response uniforms sit on a shelf.

Geneva Conventions 75th anniversary: humanitarian workers must be protected

"The Geneva Conventions are just as relevant today as they were 75 years ago," says Béatrice Butsana-Sita, CEO of the British Red Cross

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Magen David Adom rescue workers attend a location affected by Iranian missiles.

Israel-Iran: Red Cross deeply concerned by the recent escalation of violence

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Rescue workers attend the aftermath of the earthquake in Myanmar.

Myanmar earthquake: latest news

A powerful earthquake struck Myanmar in March 2025, find out how the Red Cross is helping with rescue, recovery and providing vital humanitarian aid.

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ICRC medic comforts boy in Gaza during the Israel-OPT conflict

Disease and a broken healthcare system in Gaza could kill more than the conflict

Hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza no longer have access to healthcare. Yet health workers continue to risk their lives to save others. They must be protected at all costs.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes
ICRC members leave building badly damaged during the conflict in Ukraine.

Red Cross responds to explosions in Kyiv

Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) emergency response teams were deployed in Kyiv, Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih and Sloviansk following a wave of explosions which struck on Monday, 8 July 2024.

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Granada Red Cross responds to Storm Beryl

Red Cross responds as Hurricane Beryl devastates the Carribean

Red Cross teams have sprung into action after Hurricane Beryl, the first category 5 storm to strike this early in the year, devastates a number of Caribbean islands.

content type Article estimated reading time 4 minutes