Heat Action Day
Heat Action Day on 2 June 2026
A global day of awareness and action on extreme heat
On June 2, 2026, the 5th edition of Heat Action Day (HAD) will bring communities together worldwide to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat. This year's theme — indoor heat — puts the spotlight on the health risks people face inside their homes, schools, workplaces, and care facilities. Whether you're sharing life-saving tips on social media or organizing a community event, there are many ways to get involved and help #BeatTheHeat.
What is Heat Action Day (HAD)?
Launched in 2022, Heat Action Day (HAD) is a global day of awareness and action on extreme heat — an increasingly frequent, intense, and deadly threat worldwide. Led by Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies and partners, HAD mobilizes cities, communities, and organizations around the world to take simple yet life-saving steps to protect people from heat-related illnesses.
While June 2 may not align with peak heat everywhere, a single, coordinated day helps create a powerful global moment, amplifying attention and inspiring communities to prepare, respond, and #BeatTheHeat.
See inspiring examples from past Heat Action Day events around the world.
HAD 2026 theme
Indoor heat: recognizing and taking actions against the health risks we face indoors
Due to climate change, a growing number of people around the world are facing serious health risks from exposure to heat inside their own homes, or in public and privately managed facilities such as schools, health facilities, prisons, and care homes. Without respite and access to cooling, high day- and night-time indoor temperatures pose significant health risks.
Indoor heat disproportionately affects older adults, people with pre-existing health conditions, those living in informal settlements, and people in energy poverty who cannot afford cooling. Building materials, design characteristics, and urban heat island effects all play a role in determining indoor temperatures.
Register your interest in Heat Action Day 2026
Please fill out the form to let us know you're planning to participate. By registering your interest, you'll receive updates, planning resources, and inspiration to help make your Heat Action Day a success.
Even if you have participated in Heat Action Day before, you do need to register again for this year. Please share with us what you have planned, and join the Info Sessions!
How to Participate
Heat Action Day activities come in all shapes and sizes. Choose the level that fits your team's resources and timeline.
"light" activities
No/low resources, little preparation needed
"Medium" activities
Medium resources required, start preparing activities 3-4 weeks in advance, no to little budget required.
"Advanced" activities
High resources required, start preparing activities 4-6 weeks in advance.
For more activity ideas and guidance on how to get started, explore our step-by-step participation guide with detailed instructions and tips.
Prefer a downloadable version? Use the buttons below to download a PDF version of the Guide.
Useful Resources & Templates
Planning your Heat Action Day activity is easier with the right tools at your fingertips. Explore the materials, resources and and templates to help you get started and amplify your message.
Join the HAD Trello board to access Key Messages, templates for promotional materials, including posters, flyers, and social media graphics. You can reproduce them in your own language and/or develop your own communication materials and SHARE them with others on the Trello Board.
HAD Banner
Communications & Social Media Assets
Additional Resources
Past HAD Highlights
Heat action day 2025: how to recognize heat exhaustion and heat stroke
On June 2, 2025, the 4th edition of Heat Action Day (HAD) brought together over 250 partner organizations and Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies, delivering activities in more than 300 locations worldwide. From regional webinars, seminars, art contests, and heat runs to workshops, distributions, cooling stations, and social media campaigns, these creative efforts raised awareness of heat risks and simple ways to #BeatTheHeat. This year’s theme — recognizing heat exhaustion and heat stroke — took center stage in public spaces across the globe. Read more about Heat Action Day activities around the world.
Heat action day 2024: cool urban art
In 2024, over 180 organizations and Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies registered to take part in Heat Action Day, embracing the year’s theme of Urban Art. Activities ranged from public art-making sessions and contests to parades, live announcements, regional webinars, and community engagement events.
Explore highlights and photos from around the world in the 2024 Story Book, and see a detailed breakdown of activities in the Summary Report.
Heat action day 2023
Heat Action Day 2023 marked the second global event organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to raise awareness about the growing risks of extreme heat driven by climate change. Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in over 50 cities worldwide took part in the day through a wide range of activities — from public awareness campaigns and distribution of cooling resources to educational workshops and community outreach.
In Bangladesh, for example, volunteers used local dialects to deliver creative performances — from poetry and comedy to dance and drama — to capture attention and share life-saving information about heat risks.
Heat action day 2022
Heat Action Day 2022 marked the first global observance launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to raise awareness about the rising risks of extreme heat linked to climate change. Held on June 14, 2022, the event coincided with unprecedented early-season heatwaves across Europe, the United States, and South Asia, highlighting the urgent need to address heat-related health threats.
Watch the video on the right to see a global snapshot of the heat actions carried out around the world.
Organizing Partners
