Humanitarian Aid for Refugees

More than 120 million people worldwide are displaced – due to crises, conflicts, and disasters, exacerbated by climate change. The German Red Cross is providing humanitarian emergency relief to refugees in many crisis regions around the world.

Within the international Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, the GRC works closely with its affiliates and partners in the affected countries. The goal is to provide needs-based humanitarian assistance and protection to internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees. This includes basic supplies of water, food, shelter, and medicine, as well as activities to secure livelihoods and disaster preparedness.

Medical staff examining woman — In the Colombian border region people receive medical assistance by mobile health teams.

Girl washing her hands — In Uganda, refugees from Sudan need humanitarian aid.

Food distribution for internally displaced people in Syria.

People washing hands — Hygiene training in emergency shelters is an important aid measure.

Woman receiving blanket — Distribution of relief supplies in Ethiopia

The GRC is committed to assessing spontaneously increasing humanitarian needs in advance in order to be able to provide better and more targeted support to the respective National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Through their ongoing on-site assistance, these societies make an important social contribution, especially to alleviate the hard living conditions of particularly vulnerable families and individuals.

Many people still have to cope long, dangerous distances to reach a place of safety. The German Red Cross therefore supports numerous national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in their assistance along migration routes, even across national borders, to ensure the most continuous and dignified care possible for people on the move.

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Emergency and disaster relief

Disasters, crises, and conflicts often leave those affected with nothing. Every minute counts – that's why the German Red Cross's emergency relief works like clockwork.

RC staff talking to community representative in South Sudan

International Coordination of Aid

Providing people in need with fast and purposeful assistance requires efficient coordination of aid and close cooperation with local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Humanitarian logistics

In an emergency, it's essential to react quickly, as every minute counts. An efficient relief operation is achieved through well-coordinated processes, a functioning logistical infrastructure, and prepared deployment modules that can be activated quickly.