maureen chechi @chechichubby

A milestone for humanitarian action across Africa! Today, we officially launched the IFRC Africa Regional Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Strategy 2026–2030. The launch brought together Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, IFRC leadership and humanitarian partners, with a shared message: safeguarding must go beyond policies. It must be part of how we lead, work and serve communities every day. Discussions emphasized the importance of strong leadership, shared responsibility and building a culture where everyone feels safe, respected and included. Together, we are working towards humanitarian action that is safe, dignified, inclusive and accountable to the communities we serve.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

Today, the @ifrc has brought together Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies, Partner National Societies and humanitarian partners for a two-day event marking the launch of the Africa Regional Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) Strategy 2026–2030. Discussions have focused on the PGI and PSEAH journey across Africa, reflecting on progress, challenges and lessons learned over the years. The conversations have highlighted the importance of PGI and PSEAH in ensuring safe, inclusive, dignified and accountable humanitarian action, and the critical role of leadership, collaboration and shared commitment in taking this work forward.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

In Nsanje District, @MalawiRedCross volunteers are being trained to integrate Protection, Gender & Inclusion (PGI) into their measles-rubella outreach, ensuring engagement is safe, respectful, and accessible to all. With support from @ifrc & American Red Cross (@RedCross), this training is strengthening volunteer capacity through targeted funding and technical support, equipping them with practical skills to identify barriers, address community concerns, and ensure equitable access to vaccination services.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

Across borders. Across crises. Across decades. The Fundamental Principles have guided our humanitarian action wherever help is needed most. We asked a few colleagues which Principles resonate most with their work👇🏾

Community-led solutions are strengthening people's resilience and livelihoods.

Today His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, IFRC Secretary General @jagan_chapagain, IFRC Regional Director for Africa @CharlesBusinge1, and @KenyaRedCross Secretary General @IrshadIdris were in Taita Taveta County, Kenya.
 
The delegation visited initiatives supporting climate-smart agriculture, including rice and sunflower farming projects that are helping farmers diversify their incomes, improve #FoodSecurity, and better cope with the effects of climate change.

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

“Trust has become our greatest ally. Working with communities is essential to stop the transmission of Ebola.” Speaking to @BBCWorld, @IFRC’s Catherine Kamatu highlights the Red Cross response on the ground in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as Ebola cases continue to surge. The @IFRC has launched an emergency appeal to support @croix_rouge_rdc in providing life-saving assistance.

Sierra Leone is responding to a measles outbreak affecting eight districts, with children under five among those most at risk. Through @IFRC_DREF, Red Cross teams will support the response over the next four months, helping strengthen community surveillance, promote vaccination, share trusted health information, and support early detection and referral of suspected cases. The operation will directly support 20,703 people, with a focus on underserved communities where immunization coverage is low. @IFRCAfrica #DREFinAction

On the front line. Workers from the Uganda Red Cross Society don protective suits as they prepare to evacuate the body of a suspected Ebola victim in Kampala. The World Health Organisation has classified the outbreak in the DRC and Uganda as a public health emergency of international concern 📸 Katumba Badru

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

In May, fires and windstorms in Sierra Leone destroyed homes, belongings, small businesses and community facilities, leaving thousands of people in urgent need of support. Through @IFRC_DREF, 1,270 households (around 8,372 people) in Kono, Falaba, Freetown and Karene will receive cash assistance to repair or rebuild damaged homes and meet essential needs such as food, hygiene items, transport and household supplies. @IFRCAfrica #DREFinAction

The @IFRC continues to ramp up Ebola response efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and neighbouring countries alongside Red Cross teams and health authorities. The IFRC has launched an emergency appeal. Urgent funding is needed to expand surveillance, deploy additional burial teams, deliver protective equipment and scale up frontline response efforts in affected communities and high-risk border areas. 👉ifrc.org/emergency/afri…

keyboard_arrow_left Previous keyboard_arrow_right Next

In Uganda, where imported Ebola cases have already been confirmed, the @IFRC is supporting a full public health response. Red Cross teams are working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners to ensure communities in high-risk areas receive timely support, accurate information, and lifesaving humanitarian assistance.

The IFRC has classified the current Ebola outbreak in eastern DRC as a Red-Level emergency following the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain, for which there is currently no licensed vaccine. Urgent action is needed to contain further spread.

As we continue celebrating women, we highlight the incredible women of the @IFRCAfrica Regional Office, whose dedication and leadership are at the heart of our humanitarian work❤️. Their commitment continues to inspire us every day. #ForAllWomenAndGirls #IWD2026

“Being a woman leader in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement means leading with empathy, purpose and a commitment to ensuring that the voices of women, girls and those most at risk are heard and reflected in humanitarian action.” Our Senior Officer for Protection, Gender and Inclusion, Maureen Wangechi, highlights that empowering women and girls is essential for building resilient communities. As we continue celebrating women, we reaffirm our commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women everywhere. #IWD2026 #ForAllWomenAndGirls

This year marks 10 years since the Movement’s International Conference Resolution on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). This anniversary is a moment to reflect on our commitments. Our colleague, Maureen Wangechi, Senior Officer, Protection, Gender and Inclusion, shares what we are doing regarding prevention, response, and mitigation of SGBV. #16Days #16DaysofActivism #NoExcuse

Addressing Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) is everyone’s responsibility. Anyone could experience sexual and gender-based violence in their lifetime. Safety and dignity sit at the heart of preventing it. Watch 👇🏾 how we, and the Red Cross Red Crescent national societies, have the responsibility to ensure that our interventions do not create further harm or exacerbate SGBV-related risks. #16Days #16DaysofActivism #NoExcuse bit.ly/4iiqGbR

Investing in local orgs, women’s rights orgs and women volunteers on the frontline remains essential in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. The IFRC supports women leaders to strengthen protection, dignity and equality in all communities. #16Days #16DaysofActivism #NoExcuse

Kenya is facing overlapping crises of drought, floods and disease, with 1.8 million people already severely food insecure and numbers projected to rise. Through the Complex Emergency Appeal and a DREF allocation, IFRC and @KenyaRedCross are providing urgent food, health, WASH and protection support to 150,000 people in the hardest affected areas. 🔗bit.ly/43KkCTI @IFRCAfrica #DREFinAction

Today, we join the world in marking #16DaysOfActivism. 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime — a statistic that becomes even more alarming in the context of conflict, displacement, humanitarian crises and climate shocks. Across the IFRC network, protection from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a core part of our response in every crisis. We work to ensure that women, girls and all at-risk groups are safe, supported and heard. #16Days, #NoExcuse.

Climate change and disasters are intensifying risks, yet many countries’ disaster and climate-related legal frameworks do not yet integrate Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) protection. In Sudan, @SRCS_SD provides psychosocial support, safe spaces for women and children, and promotes safe referral pathways for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, including for legal aid services. We’re calling for renewed attention to these gaps and concrete action to address them. #16Days #NoExcuse #I6DaysofActivism