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
A photo of Amr, a PRCS media officer who lives in Gaza. He is standing, holding his camera, in front of an emergency rescue vehicle.

Amr’s story: “Every day I navigate through destruction and fear”

Amr Ali, his wife and children, 7-year-old Adam and 3-year-old Maria, have been displaced five times since hostilities escalated in Gaza in October 2023.

content type Article estimated reading time 5 minutes
Buildings destroyed and reduced to rubble.

Beirut explosion: what happened and how the Red Cross helped the city heal

content type Article estimated reading time 4 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.

content type Article estimated reading time 5 minutes
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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Hassam, 17 years old, a patient at the Red Cross Field Hospital in Rafah

Mass casualty surge in Gaza: Hasam's story

In June 2025 the conflict in Gaza escalated with a surge in mass casualty incidents linked to the opening of new aid distribution sites. Read the story of one teenager caught up in the fighting.

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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.

content type Article estimated reading time 5 minutes