Switzerland reaffirms support for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Disaster Relief Emergency Fund

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The DREF makes it possible to mobilise financial resources within 24 hours for urgent relief operations in the event of a disaster anywhere in the world. The operations are then led by the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies on the ground. In the case of recent Hurricane Melissa in the Caribbean, the IFRC allocated DREF funds to the Jamaican Red Cross to implement preventive measures before the hurricane made landfall. This meant that early warnings could be issued, emergency shelter prepared and essential supplies provided.

The DREF has already assisted 122 humanitarian operations by 61 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies this year, including efforts to help people affected by floods, displacement and epidemics.

Against the current backdrop of increasing global crises and humanitarian needs, Switzerland is committed to continuing its support for the DREF. To this end, it pledged CHF 6 million for the 2025-6 period at the DREF donors conference held in Geneva on 7 November 2025. This means it is maintaining its annual support of CHF 3 million as before, under Switzerland's humanitarian aid commitment credit managed by the SDC.

The IFRC brings together 191 national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, including the Swiss Red Cross. It coordinates relief efforts in the event of natural disasters, health crises and conflicts, supporting national societies in close cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In 2024, IFRC humanitarian operations assisted over 113 million people worldwide. Its headquarters are located in International Geneva, a key hub for humanitarian cooperation and diplomacy.