IFRC urges Europe to prepare with summer heatwaves and wildfires set to intensify

By the IFRC

(This story is an IFRC press release issued in Budapest and Geneva on Friday.)

Wildfires are raging in Greece, Türkiye and other parts of Europe as a deadly heatwave is gripping the continent, causing loss of life, mass evacuations, and widespread damage to homes and livelihoods.

The IFRC network has mobilized to support emergency responders and vulnerable communities affected, including migrants, older people, children, and those with chronic illnesses. 

The IFRC warns this is only the beginning. With multiple heatwaves and fire risks expected through September, there is an urgent need to shift from reactive response to proactive preparedness. Governments, municipalities and communities must take early action now – because when we prepare better, we save lives. 

In Türkiye’s Izmir region, wildfires have tragically claimed two lives and forced the evacuation of 50,000 people, with hundreds of houses damaged. On the Greek island of Crete, over 5,000 residents and tourists have been evacuated as fires approach residential and tourist areas. Eastern Germany has seen more than 100 people displaced due to advancing flames.

In Greece, Red Cross volunteers are working alongside firefighters, providing critical first aid to both emergency personnel and evacuees, including care for displaced pets.

In Türkiye, Red Crescent teams are delivering essential food, water, and relief supplies to firefighting crews (photo) and those forced to flee their homes. 

These efforts are part of a broader humanitarian response to the
escalating climate crisis in Europe

In North Macedonia, mobile teams are addressing the severe risks faced by people on the move, distributing hydration supplies and sun protection while coordinating with authorities to ensure safe transit amid extreme heat.  

These efforts are part of a broader humanitarian response to the escalating climate crisis in Europe, where rising temperatures and prolonged droughts are contributing to intensified wildfire risks.

The IFRC is committed not only to immediate relief but also to building community resilience through health support, preparedness, and climate adaptation initiatives. 

“Heatwaves and wildfires are no longer isolated events – they are becoming the new reality for millions across Europe,” said Birgitte Bischoff Ebbeson, IFRC Regional Director of Europe.

“Summer after summer, we’re seeing preventable deaths, loss of livelihoods and impacts to people’s health. Heatwaves are becoming deadlier, fires more intense, and the people most at risk are often the least prepared. While our teams are stepping in, we need longer-term readiness across the board.” 

The IFRC urges governments, local authorities, and communities to prioritize climate adaptation and invest in early warning systems, health services, and disaster risk reduction to mitigate the humanitarian toll of these increasingly frequent disasters. 

Turkish Red Crescent volunteers were this weekend delivering essential food, water, and relief supplies to firefighting crews and those forced by wildfires to flee their homes. (Turkish Red Crescent via social media)