The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is a global humanitarian organisation supporting vulnerable communities before, during and after crises, uniting 191 National Societies to provide disaster relief, reaching 160 million people yearly. It promotes global humanitarian standards and supports vulnerable populations through a strong volunteer network, community expertise and a commitment to independence as it serves all people needing humanitarian support. Guided by Strategy 2030, the IFRC promotes safe, resilient communities worldwide.
In southern Africa, the Pretoria Cluster Delegation supports five National Societies in South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini.
The IFRC integrates disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation throughout its work, leveraging technology to predict and respond proactively to crises. By using tools for risk anticipation and predictive financing, the IFRC helps to minimise the impact of disasters, enabling faster and more efficient resource allocation to support vulnerable communities before disasters strike. It also focuses on building the capabilities of volunteers so that they can respond to complex humanitarian situations.
According to Kopano Masilo, the IFRC Head of Pretoria Cluster Delegation, the organisation emphasises enhancing the operational capacities of National Societies through training programmes, shared resource mobilisation and strategic partnerships. Through its commitment to localisation the IFRC recognises the importance of programmes tailored to local needs and cultural contexts.
National Societies often collaborate with their respective governments and are auxiliary partners in humanitarian services. This partnership is based on mutual agreements that define roles and responsibilities, ensuring that humanitarian needs are met effectively within legal frameworks.
During the severe flooding in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in 2022, the IFRC launched an Emergency Appeal (EA) for 8 million Swiss francs (CHF) to support relief efforts targeting 30 000 individuals affected by the floods. This included providing food, clean water and psychosocial support while also addressing longer-term recovery plans. This was in support of the South African Red Cross Society alongside government agencies, local businesses and other humanitarian organisations to ensure a coordinated and effective response, emphasising community involvement to enhance resilience against future disasters.
The IFRC is currently responding to the severe drought across southern Africa, caused by the 2023/24 El Niño weather pattern. This crisis has resulted in acute food insecurity, malnutrition and water shortages for millions of people, further aggravated by declining humanitarian funding. In response, the Lesotho Red Cross Society launched an Emergency Appeal on 6 September 2024, seeking CHF5 million to assist approximately 87 381 individuals facing food insecurity, with 700 000 people at risk of hunger due to crop failures. Similarly, the Namibia Red Cross Society also initiated an Emergency Appeal on the same date, requesting CHF5 million to support 140 000 individuals out of 1.4 million affected by drought, with urgent needs for food and clean water. These appeals are part of a broader initiative by the IFRC to address the worsening humanitarian conditions caused by the drought, contributing to the Pan-African Zero Hunger Initiative aimed at eradicating hunger across the continent through sustainable solutions.
The IFRC supports National Societies to foster resilient communities through a holistic approach that includes disaster risk reduction, preparedness training and efficient response mechanisms, helping communities tackle both present and future challenges of disasters and climate change. Prioritising community involvement ensures that these strategies are both contextually relevant and sustainable in the long run. “The IFRC also aids National Societies in implementing Disaster Risk Reduction through various innovative and strategic initiatives, such as the Pan-Africa Tree Planting and Care Initiative, which strengthens environmental resilience by reducing soil erosion and enhancing water retention,” says Masilo.
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Source: The original version of this article was published in the Trialogue Business in Society Handbook 2024 (27th edition).