The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian network. Its secretariat supports local Red Cross and Red Crescent action in more than 191 countries, bringing together more than 16 million volunteers for the good of humanity.
The IFRC acts before, during, and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs of and improve the lives of vulnerable people.
The IFRC is guided by its Strategy 2030, which builds on over 100 years of humanitarian action to adapt to emerging 21st-century challenges.
“In the face of escalating global crises,
IFRC remains committed to alleviating human suffering, guided by our enduring Fundamental Principles and mission. At the heart of our response is the IFRC-DREF, a pivotal instrument enabling National Societies on the ground to act swiftly and effectively in times of need. We are innovatively expanding our capacity through IFRC-DREF Insurance. The potential of IFRC-DREF Insurance is immense, increasing our capacity to reach up to 6 million more people vulnerable to natural hazards. IFRC-DREF stands out in its commitment to channeling support directly to local actors. While the global average of humanitarian funds directly allocated to local actors is around 1.2% annually, an impressive 82% of IFRC-DREF’s allocations are directly transferred to National Societies. This approach ensures aid is efficient, effective, and empowers local actors best positioned to understand and meet community needs.”
Jagan Chapagain
IFRC Secretary General
Efficient. Fast. Transparent. Localized.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Response Emergency Fund (IFRC-DREF) is an efficient, fast, transparent, and localized way of getting funding directly to local humanitarian actors – both before and after crisis hits.
IFRC-DREF is one of the oldest humanitarian pooled funds for emergency response to small and medium disasters.
HOW DOES DREF WORK?
Rapid Response Funding
The IFRC-DREF is a fund that quickly provides funding for early action and immediate disaster response. By allocating funds directly to National Societies (NS) rooted in local communities, the IFRC-DREF capitalizes on their extensive knowledge of local conditions.
IFRC-DREF requests can be:
- Approved within 24 hours
- Disbursed in less than 72 hours
It is open to all 191 National Societies that submit funding applications and plans of action.
HOW IS IT FUNDED?
IFRC-DREF functions as a pooled fund, supported by various donors, which facilitates rapid funding decisions closely aligned with humanitarian needs.
In 2022, the establishment of the IFRC-DREF Council further enhanced the fund's governance. This independent advisory body is dedicated to offering strategic insight and advice on the fund's management and performance. Learn more about IFRC-DREF council here.
IFRC-DREF Council Members
Interested in becoming a donor?
If you are interested in becoming a donor for IFRC-DREF, please contact:
Ivana Mrdja
Manager, Public Sector Partnerships, Strategic Partnerships and Resource Mobilisation Department
(ivana.mrdja@ifrc.org).
ONE FUND, TWO PILLARS
IFRC-DREF is unique in offering both anticipatory action and disaster response in a single fund.
Response Pillar
IFRC-DREF not only addresses small and medium-scale disasters but also acts as a critical bridge by providing initial, contingency funding for immediate response efforts. This essential role helps ensure timely aid until further resources are raised through emergency appeals.
Anticipatory Pillar
By also funding anticipatory action, IFRC-DREF aims to save more lives and livelihoods, minimize impact, and alleviate suffering by acting before hazards strike. This is partially facilitated by a mechanism wherein financial resources are pre-agreed and released automatically once a predetermined trigger is reached, ensuring timely and effective early action. IFRC aims to allocate 25% of IFRC-DREF funding by 2025 to the Anticipatory Pillar. In 2023, CHF 9.1 million (12% of the fund) was allocated through the Anticipatory Pillar.
IFRC INSURANCE
The IFRC, in partnership with Aon and the Centre for Disaster Protection, has pioneered a groundbreaking approach: an innovative insurance policy tailored to protect the IFRC-DREF by supplying a financial backstop when needed.
IFRC-DREF Insurance is an innovative finance mechanism that leverages the power of the private sector to make stretched government donor contributions go further.
How does the insurance mechanism work?
Instead of providing money to fund disaster responses as a traditional grant, donors have the option to pay the insurance premium. This stretches the value of their contributions and transfers the risk to the private sector if IFRC-DREF funding requests relating to natural hazards exceed available resources.
While direct donor contributions to IFRC-DREF will always remain necessary, IFRC-DREF Insurance provides a contingency financing layer and ensures the IFRC network can be there for people affected by disasters quickly, efficiently, and reliably.
Progress Against Outcomes
Enabling Local Action – Enough Funding as Direct as Possible
Milestones
- Strengthened networks: The IFRC-DREF Council and the IFRC-DREF Advisory Group serve as consultative bodies and conduits for effectively disseminating information within the network.
- Key engagements: Throughout 2023, the IFRC convened 2 IFRC-DREF Council meetings and 4 IFRC-DREF Advisory Group meetings. A deep dive event was held online for council members to delve into the details of Anticipatory Action strategies.
- Structural expansion: Each of the five regions now have a dedicated IFRC-DREF focal point/officer, fostering seamless communication and coordination between the global team, regional offices, delegations, and National Societies.
- IFRC-DREF insurance policy: IFRC partnered with Aon, Lloyd’s Disaster Risk Facility, and the Centre for Disaster Protection. The insurance policy offers up to CHF 20 million and acts as a contingency fund.
- Active external communications and partner engagement: IFRC-DREF developed tailored communication approaches, campaigns, and visual identity branding to encourage more engagement. IFRC-DREF increased its donors to 50 in 2023.
Saving More Lives, Anticipating Crisis, and Acting Earlier
Milestones
- Substantial gains: In 2023, there was marked improvement in the number of protocols in place, the number of activations, and the size of the Anticipatory Pillar team.
- Support provision: Technical support is provided to National Societies via IFRC Delegations, or directly, if appropriate, for Simplified EAPs and IFRC-DREF for imminent events.
- Efficient use of funds: An increased number of National Societies make use of the CHF 500,000 budget cap, covering a larger number of people at risk.
- Better system: A simplified process is developed to transition from an IFRC-DREF-funded anticipatory action operation to a response operation.
- Increased coverage: National Societies present anticipatory action plans to be funded by the IFRC-DREF for non-weather events.
- Scenario analysis: Analyze planned versus actual for triggered EAPs during the last 3 years to assess planning accuracy, with the aim of improving the quality moving forward
- Project expansion: The project focused on scaling up anticipatory action in Africa begins as planned, and countries supported submit simplified Early Action Protocols and IFRC-DREF for imminent events.
- Enhanced engagement: A new working modality with the Validation Committee that results in more engagement and better response times was defined.
- Continued funding support: 15% of overall IFRC-DREF funding was allocated to anticipatory action.
Increasing the Value of IFRC-DREF in Protracted, Slow Onset and Complex Events
Milestones
1. Piloting, implementation, and achievement monitoring for the Slow Onset Modality
In 2023, the IFRC-DREF introduced a new "Slow Onset Modality" to support drought and food insecurity crises, with Eswatini Red Cross Society being the first to receive CHF 599,533 under this framework.
The IFRC allocated CHF 5 million to protracted and complex crises, including Sudan and the Azerbaijan-Armenia conflict, and CHF 6 million in total for population movement crises.
A study on Protracted Crises and Complex Emergencies (PCCE) was conducted, leading to recommendations for improved coordination, flexible response, and operational strategies, which will inform the 2024 plan.
A Lean, Efficient Fund
Milestones
1. Development and Quality Improvements of the GO Platform
- Enhancing the user experience and interface within the GO platform
- Finalize the new template and digital application process based on the results and feedback from the testing period
- The IFRC-DREF online application is also available in French, Arabic, and Spanish.
2. IFRC-DREF Accountability and Compliance
- Issues and risks have continued to be systematically registered in the dedicated IFRC-DREF Issue and Risk Register for risk-informed decision-making.
- Introduced Risk Analysis One-Pagers
- Developed quarterly Compliance Reviews, which are reports analyzing compliance and accountability issues linked to IFRC-DREF-supported operations
- A dedicated Risk Appetite Statement was developed.
- Collaboration with the IFRC Office of Internal Audit and Investigation (OIAI) and Risk Management teams was maintained
- Ensured ongoing monitoring of vital performance indicators
3. IFRC-DREF Dashboards: Monitoring, Learning, and Visualization
- Three dashboards were put in place by the team in 2023. These contribute to the transparency and visibility of IFRC-DREF’s work, enabling systematic monitoring of its performance:
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Dashboard on IFRC-DREF-Funded Operations (Public) |
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Donor Feedback Dashboard (Internal) |
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Dashboard on Performance Indicators (Internal) |
Increase Support for Strengthening National Societies
A. IFRC-DREF training resources revised based on the IFRC-DREF evolution
B. IFRC-DREF Training for National Societies
- IFRC-DREF Training for National Societies Anticipatory action training piloted globally and adjusted, taking into account the nuanced regional contexts
- Online IFRC-DREF training revised based on the IFRC-DREF evolution
- Support for regional initiatives, which include elements of IFRC-DREF capacity strengthening, such as National Societies Training, Preparedness and others
- Improved technical guidance for National Societies and IFRC practitioners in advance of planning an IFRC-DREF operation for an imminent event
- Pilot synergies between IFRC-DREF lessons learned and IFRC Capacity Building Fund
- Develop a case study on the use of the imminent IFRC-DREF for population movement
National Society Ownership and Trust
A. Development of an IFRC-DREF Operational Reviews Framework
- The IFRC-DREF Operational Reviews Framework was developed to streamline and promote a consistent and more systematic approach to conducting operational reviews.
- An Annual Plan for Operational Reviews for 2023 was also developed, which accompanied the development of the Operational Reviews Framework.
- Institutionalized operational learning through highlighting major lessons learned and trends individually for National Societies as well as for the regions
- Collected and summarized recurrent issues linked to the IFRC-DREF. By hiring IFRC-DREF officers in each region, two-way communication is established for closer communication and assistance to National Societies.
B. IFRC-DREF Feedback Process:
- Developed a two-way feedback mechanism
Stories
ASIA
KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakhstan Cold Wave sEAP was activated on December 11.
The operation targeted 82,000 vulnerable people, including the homeless, elderly people living alone, and people with diverse needs.
The early actions focused on:
- Mobilizing the homeless to social adaptation centers
- Providing hot meals to homeless people
- Providing hot meals to drivers and passengers
- Distribution of heaters, blankets, and warm clothes
- Awareness-raising activities focused on cold weather safety and first aid, as well as the provision of first aid
MONGOLIA
In Mongolia, the support provided in July prior to the floods helped the National Society take proactive measures, preventing the suffering of 11,000 individuals at risk.
The IFRC-DREF funding supported the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) in the immediate evacuation of families living in areas at high risk of being affected by the floods. Shelter items, such as blankets and mattresses, were also distributed to those temporarily displaced in the evacuation centres. In addition, MRCS staff provided information on flood prevention and preparedness to help communities better prepare themselves in case of emergencies.
EUROPE
SLOVENIA
In August 2023, the Slovenian Red Cross accessed a grant of CHF 1 million, which was made possible by the new ceilings. This allowed the National Society to be a key actor in the response, effectively fulfilling its auxiliary role in responding to the country's most devastating floods, which impacted 1.5 million people. With this grant, the National Society was able to scale up its emergency response to support 40,000 affected people.
SYRIA AND TURKEY
In Mongolia, the support provided in July prior to the floods helped the National Society take proactive measures, preventing the suffering of 11,000 individuals at risk.
The DREF funding supported the Mongolian Red Cross Society (MRCS) in the immediate evacuation of families living in areas at high risk of being affected by the floods. Shelter items, such as blankets and mattresses, were also distributed to those temporarily displaced in the evacuation centres. In addition, MRCS staff provided information on flood prevention and preparedness to help communities better prepare themselves in case of emergencies.
AFRICA
ZIMBABWE
The Zimbabwe Red Cross activated their EAP for drought in September 2023 to mitigate the impacts of the El Niño phenomenon, targeting 21,000 at-risk people.
The EAP uses a two-trigger model with specific impact mitigating early actions for each trigger.
The first trigger was reached seven months in advance of the harvest. Early actions include: drought early warning messages, distribution of drought-tolerant seeds and livestock vaccinations. The second trigger has a one-month lead time before the harvest and leads to the following early actions: cash and voucher assistance for food and basic needs, as well as a school feeding programme.
KENYA
In November 2023, three African National Societies activated their Early Action Protocols to anticipate the effects of El Niño. Among them, the Kenya Red Cross activated its EAP to assist 150,000 vulnerable people in advance of extreme flooding.
UGANDA
The Uganda Red Cross assisted 11,200 vulnerable people against the effects of floods through the activation of its EAP. This is part of Early Action Protocols to anticipate the effects of El Niño, which was activated with Kenya and Djibouti in November 2023.
DJIBOUTI
The first simplified EAP was activated in Djibouti. The Djibouti Red Crescent acted early to reduce the impact of floods for 2,500 vulnerable people. This is part of Early Action Protocols to anticipate the effects of El Niño, which was activated with Kenya and Uganda in November 2023.
MENA
LIBYA
In September, Storm Daniel wreaked havoc in Libya. CHF 1 million was allocated to the Libyan Red Crescent for emergency response, covering shelter, healthcare, safe water, and food for more than 80,000 people affected by the catastrophic flooding.
AMERICAS
ECUADOR
The Ecuadorian Red Cross activated their EAP for floods related to El Niño phenomenon in August 2023, targeting 5,000 at-risk people.
The trigger is based on the analysis issued by the Program for the Regional Study of the El Niño Phenomenon in the Southeast Pacific and the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology forecasting extreme rainfall in the next three months.
The phased trigger consists of forecasts issued at three different lead times (3 months, 1 month, and 5-7 days) with different actions for each phase, including early warning, delivery of multipurpose cash, and access to safe water, sanitation, and proper hygiene.
HONDURAS
The first EAP for a non-weather-related hazard was approved by the IFRC-DREF: Honduras Red Cross EAP for Population Movement.
The EAP aims to reduce the impact of the unmet needs of people on the move by acting in advance of the peaks of mixed migration flows.
The EAP aims to provide services at the Humanitarian Services Points for 10,000 people. It also aims to reduce the health, mental health, psychosocial, and protection risks related to trafficking and loss of family contact on the migration route.
URUGUAY
The Uruguayan Red Cross is conducting a damage and needs assessment of the drought situation in Tacuarembó, Cerro Largo, Florida, Lavalleja, and San José, which are reported to be the five most affected departments in the country. The results of the assessments will provide the National Society with detailed information to inform humanitarian planning and decision-making in response to the emergency.
Saving lives from disaster impacts
Other Downloadable Files
For more information, please contact:
Nicolas Boyrie
IFRC-DREF Lead
Email: nicolas.boyrie@ifrc.org
Eszter Matyeka
IFRC-DREF Senior Officer
Email: eszter.matyeka@ifrc.org
Malika Noisette
IFRC-DREF Anticipatory Action Senior Officer
Email: malika.noisette@ifrc.org
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