This guide introduces a novel framework and step-by-step methodology for developing impact-based early warning (IbEW) systems that move beyond forecasting “what the weather will be” to anticipating “what the weather will do” — the actual impacts of hazards on people, livelihoods, and assets. Aimed at governmental and non-governmental organizations engaged in early warning, disaster risk […]
As part of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, the Mexican Red Cross, together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, aims to promote an integrated approach to disaster risk management, improve access to flood and heatwave early warning systems and strengthen the climate change approach in the humanitarian sector. Mexico is
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Extreme heat is the deadliest climate hazard — yet it remains the least governed. This policy brief, produced by the IFRC Climate Centre in partnership with University College London, presents findings from an analysis of heat-related urban governance across 83 coastal cities in the Global South. The central finding is stark: despite rapidly escalating heat
Effective heat early warning systems depend on knowing what “extreme” actually means in a given place, and that definition varies significantly by local climate, population acclimatization, and urban context. This page brings together two technical reports produced by the IFRC Climate Centre that develop locally calibrated heat thresholds for cities in Honduras and Tanzania, providing
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This collection brings together four community-level research studies examining how urban populations perceive, experience, and respond to extreme heat. Published in late 2025, the studies were conducted as part of the Coastal City Resilience and Extreme Heat Action Project (CoCHAP) — a joint initiative supported by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the American
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When disaster strikes—such as a flood, earthquake, hurricane, or a business-halting heat wave—it doesn’t just disrupt homes and lives; it also grinds local economies to a halt. Small and micro businesses, vital to communities, are among the most vulnerable to disaster impacts. Yet, they are also among the most critical players in any community’s recovery.
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As part of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, the Philippine Red Cross, together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and Plan International are working with communities across the Philippines to improve community resilience, increase investment, and improve policies for climate resilience at all governance levels in the Philippines. The Philippines is
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As part of the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance, the Fiji Red Cross Society, together with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, aims to enhance community resilience to floods and storms through local engagement and capacity building. Over 12 years, the Zurich Climate Resilience Alliance in Fiji proposes targeted resilience work in
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When most people think of “disaster relief,” they picture what happens after a hurricane or wildfire—volunteers distributing blankets, setting up shelters, and ensuring people are safe and fed. But a significant part of the American Red Cross’ response actually begins well before disaster strikes. This approach is called anticipatory action. And it’s not just a
Wildfires pose a significant and increasing risk across the European Union (EU). In 2023, wildfires burned over 500,000 ha of land, marking it as the fourth-largest area burned annually on record in the EU. In the same year, Greece experienced the largest wildfire ever recorded in Europe, burning 96,000 ha in the area of Alexandroupolis.
Management of Wildfire Risk in the European Union Read More »