John Roche

Once again, our network is mourning the loss of a colleague. I am deeply saddened by the killing of Dr. Somayeh Mir Abo Eshagh, a 44-year-old volunteer with the Iranian Red Crescent Society, who lost her life on 27 March while carrying out a Red Crescent mission to provide humanitarian relief assistance and psychosocial support services to those in need. Just one month into the conflict, Dr. Somayeh is the second @Iranian_RCS volunteer killed while saving lives. On behalf of the @IFRC, I send my deepest condolences to her family, loved ones, and all @Iranian_RCS colleagues. The killing of Soumaya, and any attack on humanitarians is unacceptable and must be condemned. We continue to call for the protection of humanitarian teams who risk everything to save lives - this is a moral and legal obligation. Our statement: bit.ly/4tnA6aJ

Disasters are becoming more frequent, more intense, and more devastating for communities around the world. The decision by the United Nations General Assembly to move toward a legally binding instrument on the protection of persons in the event of disasters is a critical opportunity to strengthen global cooperation, improve disaster risk governance, and better protect those most at risk. The case studies we are sharing today illustrate what this could mean in practice. They highlight progress, challenges, and lessons learned in disaster risk governance, and show how governments, supported by their National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, can be better equipped to protect communities in an increasingly hazardous world. For over two decades, disaster risk governance has been a key @IFRC priority. We strongly support the development of this instrument and stand ready, with our member National Societies, to work alongside governments to help build safer, more resilient communities. 👉ifrc.org/document/impac…

In the latest commentary for the @WorldHealthSmt , I explore how health and security are inseparable in today’s interconnected crises.

Visited the SHOC in Nacala and left feeling filled with hope. The progress toward stronger preparedness across Southern Africa is inspiring. Grateful for IFRC’s role in bringing the Situation Room to life and supporting a safer, more resilient future. #IFRC #SADC #DRMSS #EU

From response to recovery — communities in #Mozambique are still facing the impact of recent floods. In Gaza province, @IFRC continues to support @Red_Cross_Moz teams on the ground, supporting families as they rebuild.Continued support is critical. #MozambiqueFloods #SavingLives

As recovery began, heavy rains have triggered more flooding across several parts of Mozambique — submerging homes and deepening the challenges communities face.@Red_Cross_Moz is on the ground providing life-saving support as needs continue to rise. #MozambiqueFloods,@IFRCAfrica

As the world is grappling with multiple crises, achieving gender equality is more vital than ever. Every day, our IFRC teams are dedicated to building a world that is both inclusive and diverse, where gender equality thrives. #ForAllWomenAndGirls #IWD2026

Today we celebrate the incredible women at the heart of humanitarian action. In #Mozambique and #Angola, Red Cross women volunteers and staff lead with courage, compassion and dedication. Rights. Justice. Action. #ForAllWomenAndGirls #InternationalWomensDay

Important dialogue today in Maputo with @Red_Cross_Moz, partners and diplomatic missions on the Emergency Appeal for the Mozambique floods. With hundreds of thousands affected nationwide, coordinated support is critical to scale early recovery assistance where it is needed most.

This Ramadan, @IFRC is launching a campaign to raise funds for the people of Gaza through @PalestineRCS, as the humanitarian crisis there has worsened dramatically. Families are facing severe shortages of food, water, and medical care, and they need our support now more than ever. Donate today to help families in Gaza. donate.redcrossredcrescent.org/ifrc/gaza-huma…

Tropical Cyclone #Gezani has caused 52 fatalities in #Madagascar, affecting more than 400,000 people. Of these, more than 16,000 are displaced. After moving along the coast of #Mozambique, it is tracking back toward southwestern #Madagascar, expected to pass nearby on 16 February before moving away. Red alerts have been issued for Ampanihy, with yellow alerts in Beloha and Tsihombe. @MadaRedCross continues to share warning alerts with communities.

📍Chiaquelane, Chókwè, Gaza Province #Mozambique @Red_Cross_Moz has supported 560 families at the Chiaquelane accommodation centre with essential household and hygiene kits, helping families protect their health and dignity after the devastating floods. In Chókwè alone, floods have affected 170,000 people, with thousands sheltering in tents, schools and churches. The strength of these families is inspiring — but needs remain urgent. Mozambique Red Cross is on the ground delivering life-saving assistance. To scale up recovery efforts, @IFRC has launched an #EmergencyAppeal. Read more here: bit.ly/mzfloods

In Bobole, around 40 km from Mozambique’s capital, Maputo; hundreds of families displaced by flooding are sheltering at an accommodation centre where needs remain urgent. IFRC’s @ja_roche met with @Red_Cross_Moz volunteers who have been on the ground since day one, supporting evacuations and assisting families through extremely difficult conditions. To help reach more families like those in Bobole and scale up life-saving assistance, @IFRC has launched an Emergency Appeal to support the response. Read more here: bit.ly/mzfloods

.@CruzVermelhaMOZ distributing govt early warning messages in Zambezia as part of early action protocol for #floods activated in late Dec; emergency appeal worth 7m CHF now issued; @IFRC_DREF adds #SouthAfrica to list of flood-affected countries assisted - bit.ly/3Mc98mn

When floodwaters made the roads impassable in Chókwè, @Red_Cross_Moz volunteer Lina Novela found another way. With a pregnant woman already in labour and no safe access, Lina improvised a “fridge boat” to move her through the floodwaters to a health unit in the city centre. She was transferred safely, and her baby was born. In moments like these, humanitarian action is not about having the right equipment. It’s about courage, compassion, and showing up for someone when they need it most. #Humanity

In Bobole, 40 km outside Maputo City, an accommodation center now shelters around 800 people displaced by the floods. Needs remain dire. @Red_Cross_Moz volunteers have been here since the very first day, supporting families and providing assistance. #MozambiqueFloods

In 2023, African Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies pledged to increase women’s leadership. That commitment is now coming to life through the IFRC-led African Female Leadership in Humanitarian Context Programme, co-created with Humanitarian & Leadership Consulting (HLC). This week in Nairobi, more than 20 women leaders from the IFRC Secretariat are coming together to build confidence, strengthen influence, and advance more inclusive humanitarian leadership across Africa. #WomenInHumanitarian #IFRCAfrica #FemaleLeadership #InclusiveLeadership

Widespread flooding across Mozambique is now affecting 10 of its 11 provinces. Over half a million people have been impacted according to the latest estimates, many of them displaced from their homes, with livelihoods destroyed and access to basic services increasingly constrained. Many areas remain inaccessible and the real impact will only become clear in coming days. From the outset of this emergency, the Mozambique Red Cross Society, supported by the @IFRC, has been working together with government authorities to support the response. Local Red Cross volunteers, many of them affected themselves, have been at the forefront of early warning messages, anticipatory action activities, evacuations, first aid and initial relief assistance. This is what trusted local action looks like, and why it matters. We are local, everywhere.

In Maputo, the Lessons Learned Workshop for the Italian Government–funded System-Building project brought together @Red_Cross_Moz, govt authorities from climate and disaster management, and partners committed to strengthening #AnticipatoryAction. Since its launch, the project has: ✔️ Updated cyclone, flood and drought protocols ✔️ Improved logistics and early-action readiness ✔️ Rehabilitated & equipped @Red_Cross_Moz Emergency Operations Center In his keynote address, IFRC Maputo Head of Delegation @ja_roche reminded us: “We celebrate these achievements, but more importantly, we reaffirm our commitment to communities across Mozambique.” #IFRCAfrica #Mozambique #AnticipatoryAction