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
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has published an innovative new guide covering the humanitarian challenges of our increasingly urbanised world.
The Syrian Arab Red Crescent is helping conflict-affected people to rebuild their lives and their livelihoods by encouraging them to grow their own food – and sell the surplus crops.
The deadly attack on a mosque in North Sinai, Egypt, on 24 November killed more than 300 people and injured many more. It has also devastated hundreds of grieving women and children who face an uncertain future without the family breadwinner.
Red Crescent volunteers in northern Iraq and Iran are providing urgent search and rescue and first aid to victims of the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that shook the region yesterday evening at 21:18 local time.
More than 12400 people in the Gaza Strip, occupied Palestinian territories , benefited from the Palestine Red Crescent Society project for Public Health in Emergencies and Violence Prevention.
- Deputy director: Mohammed Omer Mukhier
Country cluster support offices
- North Africa (Tunis): Amelia Marzal
- Gulf (Dubai): Fatima Gailani
Country offices:
- Iraq (Baghdad): Farid Aiywar
- Iran (Tehran): Davood Pourkhanali
- Jordan (Amman): Muftah Etwilb
- Lebanon Cristhian Cortez Cadoza
- Libya (Tunis): Stefano Cordella
- Palestine (Ramallah): John Entwistle
- Syria (Damascus): Paula Fitzgerald
- 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.