The EU funding will bolster the efforts of the Botswana Red Cross Society (BRCS) in delivering much-needed relief, including multi-purpose cash assistance, food, shelter, water, health, and sanitation support, as well as mental health and psycho-social services to over 9,000 flood victims. Additionally, the BRCS is developing an Early Action Protocol (EAP) for floods to strengthen preparedness and response efforts for future emergencies. The emergency response project will run for five months, until the end of August 2025. The funding is part of the EU’s overall contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). 

Botswana is reeling from the devastating effects of heavy rains and flash flooding that struck four districts between 19-21 February 2025. The floods submerged farms, disrupted transport networks, contaminated water supplies, and caused extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. At least nine people died, thousands were displaced, and major roads and bridges were destroyed. The flooding also forced the temporary closure of a South African border post and schools. The crisis, worsened by La Niña conditions, prompted the Government of Botswana to issue a warning of continued rainfall and flooding, forecasting additional downpours that could further worsen the already dire situation. In response, a national disaster task force, including the BRCS, was formed to coordinate relief efforts.

Background

The European Union and its Member States are the world's leading donors of humanitarian aid. Relief assistance is an expression of European solidarity with people in need worldwide. It aims to save lives, prevent and alleviate human suffering, and safeguard the integrity and human dignity of populations affected by natural disasters and man-made crises. 

Through its Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department, the European Union helps millions of victims of conflict and disasters every year. With headquarters in Brussels and a global network of field offices, the European Union provides assistance to the most vulnerable people based on humanitarian needs.

The European Union is signatory to a €14.5 million humanitarian delegation agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to support the Federation's Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF). Funds from the DREF are mainly allocated to “small-scale” disasters – that do not give rise to a formal international appeal. 

The Disaster Response Emergency Fund was established in 1979 and is supported by contributions from donors. Each time a National Red Cross or Red Crescent Society needs immediate financial support to respond to a disaster, it can request funds from the DREF.  For small-scale disasters, the IFRC allocates grants from the Fund, which can then be replenished by the donors. The delegation agreement between the IFRC and ECHO enables the latter to replenish the DREF for agreed operations (that fit within its humanitarian mandate) up to a total of €14.5 million. 

For further information, please contact:

Peter Biro, Regional Information Officer for the Great Lakes, East & Southern Africa, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO): peter.biro@echofield.eu

Samantha Refilwe Pilane, Press and Information Officer, European Union Delegation to Botswana and SADC: Samantha-Refilwe.Pilane@eeas.europa.eu