Disaster response emergency fund - Canadian Red Cross 2025 to 2026

This project supports the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) in collaboration with the Canadian Red Cross (CRC). The DREF is a global pooled fund that directly disburses funding to national societies in crisis-affected countries to deliver life-saving assistance immediately after small- to medium-scale disasters. It also focuses on risk assessment and early actions to mitigate the impacts of impending disasters. The DREF serves as the first source of funding in new or anticipated emergencies kick-starting Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies relief efforts. It supports locally led time-critical life-saving activities and provides humanitarian assistance and protection to the most vulnerable including women and girls people with disabilities the elderly refugees and internally displaced people. With GAC’s support the CRC helps save lives and help reduce the suffering of people affected by humanitarian crises through the IFRC. Project activities include: (1) supporting live-saving activities including food nutrition health protection shelter water sanitation hygiene transportation communication and other forms of assistance; (2) supporting preparedness and early actions in disaster response; and (3) enabling more timely and coordinated humanitarian action.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) reduced loss of life through early action and response; (2) improved response to time-critical requirements; and (3) strengthened humanitarian response in underfunded crises. The expected ultimate outcome is lives saved suffering alleviated and human dignity maintained in countries experiencing humanitarian crises or acute food insecurity.