IFRC DISASTER
RESPONSE
EMERGENCY
FUND

AFRICA

Africa

In 2024, Africa continued to be the most engaged region with IFRC-DREF, addressing increasingly complex crises through both grants and loans. Unlike 2023, allocations between the two remained balanced, reflecting more strategic transitions from anticipation to response, as seen in Zambia, South Sudan, and Mali. Operations frequently evolved from Imminent IFRC-DREF to full Emergency Appeals, reinforcing IFRC-DREF’s essential role as a rapid bridge in emergencies. Droughts, floods, and disease outbreaks like those in Tanzania and Mozambique received critical early support for assessments and coordination.

2024 also marked a substantial rise in support for slow-onset disasters and epidemics, with epidemic allocations rising by 34 percent from 2023 and more than 60 percent from 2022. To address operational challenges and quality concerns, the region implemented the Africa IFRC-DREF Improvement Plan, which included targeted training for six National Societies and four Partner National Societies. Simulations and anticipatory action briefings helped build readiness, especially ahead of El Niño-related droughts. Operational reviews emphasized the need for stronger logistics, financial systems, and data-driven approaches, guiding future improvements and sustainability efforts across the continent.

Highlights:

• 34% increase in epidemic-related IFRC-DREF support vs. 2023
• Piloting of Drought IFRC-DREF modality in three countries
• Strategic transitions from anticipation to Emergency Appeals
• Africa IFRC-DREF Improvement Plan launched with capacity-building for 6 NSs
• Stronger focus on slow-onset crises (53% of 2024 allocations)

AMERICAS

Americas

The Americas region saw a continued upward trend in IFRC-DREF usage in 2024, with 33 operations funded at CHF 12.1 million—up from 26 in 2023 and 25 in 2022. The IFRC-DREF supported over 260,000 people across both response and anticipatory action pillars. Major highlights included the approval of the region’s first full Early Action Protocols for drought in Colombia and El Salvador, underscoring the growing momentum around anticipatory frameworks in Latin America.

Noteworthy response operations included back-to-back hurricanes in Cuba, with CHF 1.4 million allocated to support over 15,000 people. Large-scale events in Brazil and the Caribbean also triggered substantial loans, enabling swift interventions. Beyond emergency response, 2024 emphasized capacity strengthening: IFRC-DREF training reached 72 volunteers and staff, and two anticipatory training sessions brought in nearly 50 participants from four National Societies. As demand for support rises, the region is proving the IFRC-DREF’s strategic value in enabling both fast response and proactive resilience-building.

Highlights:

• 33 operations, CHF 12.1 million in total allocations
• First full EAPs approved in Colombia and El Salvador
• Major loans for Cuba hurricanes, Brazil floods, and the Caribbean response
• 72 staff/volunteers trained in IFRC-DREF; 48 in anticipatory action
• Continued increase in usage: up from 26 ops in 2023 and 25 in 2022

ASIA PACIFIC

Asia Pacific

In 2024, Asia Pacific remained the top user of the IFRC-DREF, with 36 allocations totaling CHF 17.2 million. The region focused heavily on enhancing the quality and accountability of IFRC-DREF operations, deepening its commitment to anticipatory action. IFRC-DREF funding supported National Societies across a range of emergencies, from heatwaves and tropical cyclones to floods and civil unrest, particularly in Bangladesh, which faced multiple, complex, back-to-back crises. These events underscored IFRC-DREF’s role as a quick and effective lifeline, with allocations rapidly deployed to save lives.

A regional highlight was the scaling-up of anticipatory action. The Asia Pacific team hosted a four-part webinar series and simulation that attracted 400 participants, advancing knowledge across the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. Groundbreaking steps were made with the world’s first simplified epidemic EAP for Dengue in Sri Lanka and the Pacific’s first simplified EAP in Fiji.

The year also improved in quality assurance, with internal audits and operational reviews conducted and safeguarding principles strengthened across all operations. Despite logistical and procurement challenges, the region maintained a strong 90 percent implementation rate and launched new initiatives to improve planning, promote cash use, and integrate technical expertise earlier in the response cycle.

Highlights:

• CHF 17.2 million in allocations across 36 operations
• 9 EAPs under review, including global firsts for dengue and Pacific island nations
• 90% implementation rate maintained
• Regional Anticipatory Action Webinar and Training Series
• Internal audits and safeguarding assessments rolled out

EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA

Europe and Central Asia

In 2024, Europe and Central Asia witnessed 11 IFRC-DREF operations across nine countries, many of which had not accessed the fund in over a decade. The year’s operations focused heavily on weather-related emergencies, with floods making up 64 percent of all requests. Portugal, Romania, and the Czech Republic accessed IFRC-DREF support for the first time in years, reflecting a growing reliance on international assistance due to the increasing intensity and frequency of disasters, such as Storm Boris and catastrophic flooding in Spain.

A major milestone was the activation of Greece’s Simplified Early Action Protocol for extreme heat, highlighting how anticipatory funding can mitigate the impacts of climate-related hazards.

While no loans were needed in 2024, the volume of smaller, high-impact emergencies showcased the importance of IFRC-DREF’s agility. Preparatory efforts and capacity-building activities set the stage for a wider rollout of anticipatory action frameworks in 2025 as more National Societies prioritize readiness for recurring risks like heatwaves and floods.

Highlights:

• 11 IFRC-DREF operations in 9 countries; CHF 3.3 million allocated
• 64% of operations flood-related
• First-time users: Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania
• sEAP for heat activated in Greece
• No loans required; all emergencies categorized as “yellow”

MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA

Middle East and North Africa

In 2024, MENA launched seven IFRC-DREF operations, targeting close to 8 million people across seven countries and marking the region's first-ever simplified Early Action Protocol (EAP) in Yemen. While the number of operations was fewer than the previous year, this was largely due to the launch of several Emergency Appeals addressing complex and large-scale crises. Floods remained the most common hazard, prompting IFRC-DREF responses in Algeria, Iran, Iraq, and Yemen, while other responses addressed cold waves, wildfires, and disease outbreaks linked to cross-border population movements.

The IFRC-DREF also served as a key financial lever for scaling up emergency appeals. In Yemen, for example, an initial IFRC-DREF grant for flood response evolved into a major Emergency Appeal with two subsequent IFRC-DREF loans totaling CHF 1 million. Additional loans supported responses in Lebanon and Syria due to rising regional tensions and displacement. In terms of anticipatory action, the approval of Yemen’s simplified EAP set a regional precedent, with Lebanon now following suit with a proposal for winter storms.

Highlights:

• 7 IFRC-DREF operations launched; ~7.9 million people targeted
• CHF 67.8 million allocated for MENA emergency responses in 2024
• First simplified EAP approved in Yemen for floods
• CHF 5.3 million in loans issued to scale up major emergencies
• Anticipatory Action expanded with Lebanon’s sEAP in review