News & Updates

Resilience in the Face of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami: Surayya's Story

26th December 2024 marks the 20th anniversary since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. When disaster struck in 2004, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and various National Societies, launched a significant response in the Maldives. In terms of Emergency Relief, there was an initiative to distribute food, clean water, and emergency shelter materials to affected communities. IFRC, alongside state and local partners and UN organizations, also provided medical aid and hygiene kits to prevent disease outbreaks. The following is a human-interest story from Meemu Kolhufushi, one of the worst impacted islands in the Maldives where 17 people tragically lost their lives.

26 Dec 2024

Volunteers at the Heart of our Humanitarian Mission: International Volunteer Day 2024

International Volunteer Day, celebrated on 5th December every year, is an opportunity to appreciate and celebrate the efforts of volunteers, who remain at the heart of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement’s humanitarian mission.

19 Dec 2024

NDMA and MRC Host First-Ever South Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Addu City

In November 2024, the Maldivian Red Crescent, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Addu City Council, successfully organized the first-ever South Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Addu City.

21 Nov 2024

Inspiring positive transformation of the community with youth: MRC's National YABC Youth Camp

The Youth as Agents for Behavioural Change initiative aims to promote a culture of non-violence and peace. MRC is currently implementing the Youth as Agents for Behavioural Change Project (YABC) in the country, supported by Transparency Maldives (TM), in alignment with its strategic priority to Foster Humanitarian Values and Volunteerism.

20 Nov 2024

Water Emergency Rescue Training in Kulhudhuffushi City: Strengthening Preparedness and Response Capacity in the Maldives

The Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC) has successfully completed its first-ever Water Emergency Rescue Training in partnership with the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC).

12 Nov 2024

MRC Male' City Unit Ergonomics Training 2024: Equipping Volunteers with Skills for Emergencies and Services

The patient transport service is one of MRC’s flagship services provided in the greater Male’ Area by the MRC Male’ City Unit– with an increase in the demand for patient transport services, as well as the dignified transportation of the deceased service, there was a need to train and build the capacity of MRC staff and volunteers for the movement of patients. As such, this led to the development of the Ergonomics Training in 2019, which has been conducted annually since.

04 Nov 2024

Young People on the Forefront of Resilience Building

Disasters, including those driven by climate change, pose significant threats to the well-being of children and youth. Often hit first and hardest when disasters strike, they experience disproportionately large impacts on their physical and mental health, nutritional needs, access to education, and economic opportunities.

12 Oct 2024

SPRING Project's Community Resource Maps Initiative

During the months of June and July 2024, the Maldivian Red Crescent in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), with support from the USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance installed billboard maps across the country, providing vital information on evacuation centers, assembly points, and emergency contact numbers.

03 Sep 2024

Empowering Island Communities: Capacity Building in First Aid and Psychological First Aid

Recognizing the vulnerability of islands to natural disasters, the Maldivian Red Crescent in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), and Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), supported by USAID Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance has undertaken comprehensive training programs focused on enhancing the capacity of island communities to respond to disasters and emergencies.

02 Sep 2024

MRC Hub: Digitizing the volunteering experience and expanding accessibility

On August 27, 2024, the Maldivian Red Crescent marked a significant milestone in its journey by launching the MRC Hub, a cutting-edge digital platform that will revolutionize the way we connect with our communities and volunteers. Supported by the Turkish Red Crescent's National Soceities Support Fund , the app was officially launched by IFRC’s Asia Pacific Regional Director Alexander Matheou during a special event which was held to mark MRC’s 15th anniversary.

30 Aug 2024

MRC15: Celebrating 15 years of Humanitarian Service

On 16th August 2024, MRC celebrated its 15th Anniversary, the date in which the first ever MRC General Assembly was conducted in 2009 following the ratification of the MRC Act [07/2009].

28 Aug 2024

Sh. Komandoo Strengthens Disaster Preparedness with Youth at the Forefront

Komandoo in the Shaviyani Atoll is taking significant strides towards building a more resilient community, with a particular focus on empowering its youth. In June 2023, a collaborative effort between the Maldivian Red Crescent (MRC), National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), supported by the USAID's Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) resulted in the creation of a comprehensive Island Disaster Management Plan (IDMP).

21 Jul 2024