International Cooperation Funds

For many years, the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), particularly North Kivu, has been facing an ongoing and devastating conflict that has intensified and become increasingly complex over time. IDRF funds supported the DRC Red Cross, who have been working hard in this challenging context to support people with shelter, healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, food security and livelihoods, including multipurpose cash assistance, and protection, gender and inclusion activities.

In September 2024, hurricanes Helene and John struck Mexico, triggering widespread destruction and displacing thousands. The Mexican Red Cross was among the first responders, mobilizing volunteers to assist communities affected by the devastating hurricanes and resulting floods and landslides. Thanks to IDRF, the Canadian Red Cross was able to support the Mexican Red Cross relief efforts. This funding helped stabilize displaced families in the early days of the response by enabling evacuations, providing temporary shelter support and distributing essential relief items.

From late June to August 2024, unusually heavy and sustained seasonal rains caused devastating floods in Yemen. This exacerbated the dire humanitarian situation in large parts of the country, which have been grappling with years of conflict and displacement. Entire communities saw their homes, livelihoods and essential infrastructure washed away. Eight million people were impacted, which caused significant displacements, loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. With support from the IDRF and larger Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, the Yemen Red Crescent Society assisted families by providing food parcels and essential household items such as mattresses, blankets, kitchen sets, buckets and hygiene kits.

As part of a five-year partnership with the Honduran Red Cross, the Canadian Red Cross has contributed funds through the IPF, with a focus on increasing the capacity of Honduran Red Cross to respond to disasters and emergencies in the region. This has helped them improve health emergency services and climate change risk management, and support humanitarian efforts through local leadership. Funds have also enabled Honduran Red Cross to support people and communities impacted by ongoing large-scale migration in the region and forced internal displacement, and support initiatives that strengthen resilience within communities that are facing the invisible effects of climate change in the region. 

Funds from the IPF are supporting the ongoing “Strengthening the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Capacity” project. The project is improving Somali Red Crescent Society’s response to health emergencies with an emphasis on community-based health and epidemic preparedness and response. It is tailored for diverse groups, and implemented through a gender-sensitive approach guided by principles of community engagement.  

A previous project with the Somali Red Crescent Society, “Strengthening Service Delivery of Emergency Response in Somaliland,” improved Somali-Somaliland Red Crescent Society’s ability to respond to health and emergency needs amid the country’s pre-existing complex humanitarian situation, COVID-19, and natural disasters. Thanks to additional funding from the Canadian Red Cross, this project has indirectly assisted more than 1.1 million people. 

Through the IPF, the Canadian Red Cross has been able to support vital recovery and rehabilitation efforts in two regions of Ethiopia. Funding has helped strengthen the operational capacity of the Ethiopian Red Cross Society, and supported multipurpose cash assistance, emergency medical services and Community-based health insurance. With challenges due to the ongoing conflict, these funds have enabled the Ethiopian Red Crescent Society to implement activities that effectively reach communities throughout these regions.