The IFRC’s Middle East and North Africa regional office works in support of 17 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the region. Through its country cluster support teams and country offices, it provides coordination, financial and technical support for disaster operations and longer term development programmes throughout the region.
Amid political turmoil that has been ravaging several countries in MENA in recent years, National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have focused much of their efforts of providing relief and support to communities affected by conflicts. They have also made significant investment in strengthening the expertise of their volunteer teams to respond to a variety of crises. This form of development is an ongoing process.
Activities also include:
- Disaster preparedness
- Resilience building
- Health and emergency medical services
- Psychosocial support
Latest news from Middle East and North Africa
In Bourj el-Barajneh Refugee Camp, Beirut, the Palestine Red Crescent is the sole provider of health services, dealing with an array of issues from non-communicable diseases to trauma.
The Jordan National Red Crescent Society has launched a programme to allow refugees and women from host communities to improve their skills and start a new businesses.
The fighting is over, but a large number of people are still displaced in Mosul. Nearly 100,000 families are living in camps since it is not yet safe for them to return to their homes. Nearly 75,000 others, many also in need of assistance, are still living in the city.
Volunteers from Magen David Adom’s (MDA) Baqa al-Gharbiyye branch collected and packed more than 900 food parcels for Muslim families during Ramadan in June.
With over 200,000 suspected cases of cholera since April, and over 1,300 deaths, communities across Yemen are in urgent need of assistance
- Deputy director: Mohammed Omer Mukhier
Country cluster support offices
- North Africa (Tunis): Amelia Marzal
- Gulf (Dubai): Fatima Gailani
Country offices:
- Iraq (Baghdad): Cristhian Cortez Cadoza (acting)
- Iran (Tehran): Davood Pourkhanali
- Jordan (Amman): Muftah Etwilb
- Lebanon Cristhian Cortez Cadoza
- Libya (Tunis): Amelia Marzal (acting)
- Palestine (Ramallah): John Entwistle
- Syria (Damascus): Karina Lapteva (acting)
- Yemen (Sana’a): Pitambar Aryal
Recent press releases
Recent documents
Ongoing crises
Syria crisis
The crisis in Syria has already continued for over six years, and humanitarian needs have continued to grow. With an estimated 13.5 million people in need, Syria has become the defining humanitarian emergency of recent times.
Iraq
Responding to the current humanitarian crisis around Mosul, Iraqi Red Crescent Society has mobilized its human and financial resources and prepared food items that would meet the needs of more than one million displaced people.
Yemen
Decades of unrest and conflict in Yemen have escalated in recent years. Since March 2015, over 3 million Yemenis have been forced to flee their homes, and at least 80 per cent of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance.
Migration: North Africa
The ongoing crises in the Middle East and in some parts of Africa have led to unprecedented displacement. National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in MENA are over-burdened as a result of high levels of humanitarian need
Regional support
In the MENA region, the IFRC focuses its efforts on enabling National Societies to better deliver their services to people in need in their countries, and where relevant, to facilitate their partnerships with other National Societies.
Technical assistance and guidance in key areas are provided by the regional team and country/multi-country cluster teams where appropriate. Experts in a broad range of relevant operational and development areas work with National Societies to strengthen their work.