¶ Overview
IFRC Flash Updates refer to short reports or situation briefs published by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). These updates provide concise information on the humanitarian situations caused by disasters, crises, or emergencies, and detail the actions being taken by the IFRC and its partner National Societies in response.
¶ Key Aspects of IFRC Flash Updates:
1. Purpose: The updates are designed to give a quick overview of ongoing or recent events, such as natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, cyclones), health emergencies (epidemics), or other crises requiring an immediate humanitarian response.
2. Content: Flash Updates typically include:
- Current situation: A brief description of the event, including the location, severity, and the number of people affected.
- Response: Immediate actions taken by the IFRC and the National Societies involved, such as emergency aid, relief distribution, or rescue operations.
- Needs: Identification of urgent needs like food, water, shelter, medical aid, etc.
- Challenges: Any logistical, environmental, or security issues affecting the relief effort.
3. Frequency: Flash Updates are released as soon as significant developments occur during the initial stages of a crisis. They are often one of the first formal communications from the IFRC about an emerging situation.
Users can access all flash updates by going on the following URL:
https://go.ifrc.org/flash-updates/all
After opening the above URL, users can see all the flash updates in a tabular format. Some content is restricted and is only visible to the organisational users. Users can click on the title of the flash update to access further details. For creating Flash report see Flash report creation page. Users can also export the flash update as a pdf by clicking on the export button in the top right corner. Flash update can also be shared with the donor groups by clicking on the share button and then selecting appropriate donor group.
¶ Opening a specific Flash Update
Users can access the details of a specific flash update either by clicking on the title of the flash update from the above mentioned URL, or they can include the number of flash update as shown below:
https://go.ifrc.org/flash-updates/275
Users can see the information on the flash update as follows:
- Situational Overview: In general, the information in this section describe the movement, intensity, and effects of a significant natural event, particularly how it impacts a region. They explain the geographical location, timing, and path of the event, predict its future trajectory and intensity, and outline the resulting consequences such as disruptions to infrastructure, damage to property, and the number of people affected. The paragraphs also highlight forecasts related to weather conditions, including wind speeds and rainfall, showing how natural phenomena can severely impact human life and the environment
- Map: Users can also see the map of the region affected by the disaster if it has been uploaded while creating the flash update.
- Actions Taken: This section mentions about the actions taken by National Society, IFRC and Government in response to the disaster. The actions can vary and spread across different fields such such as Water and sanitation, food aid, shelter, evacuation, health, first aid, psychological support etc.
- Resources: This section mentions the resources that have been used to describe the situation. Users can click on the resources to gain further information.
