Mercy Laker

In my work, I meet people facing crises they did not choose. I also see extraordinary acts of kindness, solidarity and compassion every day. That's what #IFRCLightInTheDarkness is about: hope, humanity and peaceful lives for all. I invite Itonde Kakoma @ikakoma1, Elhadj As Sy @Elhadj_As_Sy, Amal Emam @amalemam, Dyanne Marenco González @DyanneMarenco and Prof. Sandeep Waslekar @sundeepwaslekar to share what peace means to them.

I cannot stress this enough: humanitarian personnel, facilities and supplies must be respected and protected at all times. On 23 August, an attack in Kherson caused a fire at a Ukrainian Red Cross @RedCrossUkraine warehouse, destroying essential humanitarian supplies intended for the winter. Medical supplies, blankets, hygiene kits, water and winter preparedness materials that could have supported thousands of people during the colder months were lost. Despite the damage, our IFRC network teams continue assisting communities affected by the conflict.

Honoured to meet H.E. President @WilliamsRuto today in Nairobi, Kenya. Grateful to President Ruto for the constructive exchange and recognition of the vital role of the Red Cross Red Crescent in Kenya and around the world. Together with the Government of Kenya, @KenyaRedCross and the @IFRC, we remain committed to supporting communities in need and advancing principled humanitarian action where it is needed most.

In Nairobi today, I was honoured to welcome His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, alongside colleagues from the @IFRC and the @KenyaRedCross. More than 307 million people across Africa experienced hunger in 2024. Together, we must move beyond managing crises and invest in durable, locally led solutions. Through the Food Security Resilience Platform and the IFRC Pan-African Zero Hunger Initiative, we aim to help 60 million people become more resilient and food secure by 2030. Together with His Majesty, we are committed to championing African-led solutions.

As I leave Afghanistan today, I carry the weight of what I witnessed: families uprooted, livelihoods collapsing, climate shocks hitting harder each year, and women and children bearing the heaviest burden. But I also saw hope — in the courage of Afghan Red Crescent volunteers and IFRC teams who show up every day for the communities— and that’s exactly where we must focus our efforts. Stronger health systems, safer shelters, and real support for people living in vulnerable settings can’t wait. The @IFRC Network is ready to do more, but we need lasting global solidarity. Afghanistan’s people deserve action at scale - before hardship gets even worse.

Deeply saddened by the loss of three dedicated volunteers from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Red Cross in Ituri Province, who are believed to have contracted the Ebola virus on duty, while carrying out dead body management activities on 27 March as part of a humanitarian mission unrelated to Ebola. At the time of the intervention, the community was not aware of the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, and the outbreak had not yet been identified. They are among the first known victims of the outbreak. On behalf of the @IFRC, I extend my heartfelt condolences to their families, loved ones, fellow volunteers and colleagues. We stand in solidarity with the DRC Red Cross during this painful time. The IFRC, together with the DRC Red Cross and the ICRC, remains committed to supporting affected communities and strengthening the Ebola response. Our statement. 👇