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Disinformation Undermines Humanitarian Aid, Threatens Lives, Red Cross Reports
The proliferation of disinformation is increasingly hampering humanitarian aid efforts and putting lives at risk during disasters, according to a stark warning issued Thursday by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
Nearly 700 million people were affected by disasters between 2020 and 2024, resulting in more than 105 million displacements and claiming over 270,000 lives, the organization revealed in its World Disasters Report 2026. During the same period, the number of individuals requiring humanitarian assistance more than doubled.
The IFRC, which coordinates the world’s largest humanitarian network with over 17 million volunteers across 191 countries, highlighted how “harmful information and dehumanising narratives” are eroding trust in humanitarian organizations and endangering aid workers.
“In every crisis I have witnessed, information is as essential as food, water and shelter,” said Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the Geneva-based federation. “But when information is false, misleading or deliberately manipulated, it can deepen fear, obstruct humanitarian access and cost lives.”
While the spread of harmful information is not a new phenomenon, Chapagain noted that today it moves “with unprecedented speed and reach,” with digital platforms serving as “fertile ground for lies.” The report indicates that the challenge has shifted from information availability to reliability, particularly as artificial intelligence amplifies the creation and dissemination of disinformation.
The IFRC documented numerous recent examples of harmful information hampering crisis responses worldwide. During the 2024 floods in Valencia, Spain, false narratives accusing the Spanish Red Cross of diverting aid to migrants fueled xenophobic attacks on volunteers. In South Sudan, rumors that humanitarian agencies were distributing poisoned food caused people to avoid critical aid and led to threats against Red Cross staff.
Lebanon saw false claims that volunteers were spreading COVID-19, showing favoritism in aid distribution, and providing unsafe cholera vaccines. These rumors significantly undermined trust and endangered vulnerable communities. Similarly, in Bangladesh, amid political unrest, volunteers faced accusations of inaction and political alignment, resulting in harassment and reputational damage.
The IFRC also reported comparable incidents in Sudan, Myanmar, Peru, the United States, New Zealand, Canada, Kenya, and Bulgaria, demonstrating the global scale of the problem.
The report emphasized that approximately 94 percent of disasters are managed by national authorities and local communities without international intervention. “However, while volunteers, local leaders and community media are often the most trusted messengers, they operate in increasingly hostile and polarised information environments,” the IFRC stated.
The federation has called for coordinated action from governments, technology companies, humanitarian organizations, and local actors to recognize that reliable information “is a matter of life and death” during crises.
“Without trust, people are less likely to prepare, seek help or follow life-saving guidance; with it, communities act together, absorb shocks and recover more effectively,” Chapagain explained.
The IFRC urged technology platforms to prioritize authoritative information from trusted sources during crises and to transparently moderate harmful content. Additionally, it recommended that humanitarian agencies make preparation for dealing with disinformation “a core function” of their operations, including developing trained teams and analytics capabilities.
The report comes at a critical time when the humanitarian sector faces mounting challenges from both the increasing frequency and severity of disasters and the complex information landscape that can either facilitate or hinder effective responses.
As digital communication continues to evolve and shape public perception during crises, the IFRC’s findings highlight how the battle against disinformation has become an essential component of humanitarian work, directly impacting the effectiveness of aid delivery and ultimately determining how many lives can be saved during disasters.
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12 Comments
This is a wake-up call for the global community. Disinformation can literally mean the difference between life and death during disasters. We need to put much more emphasis on ensuring the integrity of information flows in crisis situations.
Well said. The Red Cross is shining a light on a critical issue that deserves urgent attention from policymakers, tech companies, and the public alike. Protecting humanitarian aid from the scourge of disinformation must be a priority.
This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed. Disinformation can have devastating consequences during disasters, undermining critical aid and putting vulnerable communities at even greater risk. The Red Cross is right to sound the alarm on this growing challenge.
Absolutely. Reliable information is essential for effective disaster response and recovery efforts. Combating disinformation should be a top priority for humanitarian organizations and governments worldwide.
The scale of disasters and need for assistance has grown dramatically in recent years, yet disinformation is hindering the ability of the Red Cross and other groups to provide vital support. This is deeply concerning and highlights the importance of strengthening information resilience.
Agreed. Building public trust and ensuring access to accurate, timely information will be critical to overcoming this challenge. The humanitarian community has its work cut out for it.
The scale of the problem outlined by the Red Cross is staggering. With disasters and displacement on the rise, disinformation poses an existential threat to the provision of life-saving aid. This is a call to action that can’t be ignored.
Agreed. The humanitarian community is already stretched thin – the last thing they need is to battle a tidal wave of false narratives that undermine their critical work. Tackling disinformation must be a key part of disaster preparedness and response strategies going forward.
Disinformation is a multi-faceted problem that requires a coordinated, multi-stakeholder response. The Red Cross is right to call attention to this issue and the need for greater investment in digital literacy, fact-checking, and other solutions.
Definitely. Tackling disinformation is no easy task, but the stakes are too high to ignore. Kudos to the Red Cross for sounding the alarm and pushing for meaningful action.
Disinformation is a pernicious challenge that strikes at the heart of the humanitarian mission. The Red Cross is right to sound the alarm and demand a concerted, global response to protect vulnerable populations from this emerging threat.
Absolutely. The proliferation of harmful narratives during disasters is deeply troubling and requires urgent action. Kudos to the Red Cross for elevating this issue and pushing for solutions to safeguard the integrity of humanitarian aid.