Harmful information putting lives at risk during crises: IFRC report
In Bangladesh, volunteers who provided first aid and assistance during a period of political unrest faced widespread accusations of inaction and political bias, leading to harassment and reputational damage.
Harmful and misleading information is increasingly undermining life-saving humanitarian efforts during disasters, putting both affected communities and aid workers at risk, according to the World Disasters Report 2026 released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).
The report says disasters between 2020 and 2024 affected nearly 700 million people worldwide, including Bangladesh, triggered more than 105 million displacements and caused over 270,000 deaths. During this period, the number of people needing humanitarian assistance more than doubled, reads a press release issued today (8 March).
It warns that false information and dehumanising narratives are eroding public trust and disrupting humanitarian work, particularly in politically polarised environments where principles such as neutrality and impartiality are often misunderstood or deliberately misrepresented online.
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IFRC Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said information is as critical in a crisis as basic necessities. However, when information is false or manipulated, it can fuel fear, obstruct humanitarian access and ultimately cost lives.
The report cites several global examples of how harmful information has affected humanitarian operations.
In Spain, false online claims during floods in Valencia accused the Spanish Red Cross of diverting aid to migrants, which fuelled xenophobic attacks on volunteers.
In Bangladesh, volunteers who provided first aid and assistance during a period of political unrest faced widespread accusations of inaction and political bias, leading to harassment and reputational damage.
In South Sudan, rumours that aid agencies were distributing poisoned food led people to avoid life-saving assistance and resulted in threats against Red Cross staff.
In Lebanon, overlapping crises triggered misinformation claiming volunteers were spreading Covid-19, favouring certain groups in aid distribution, or providing unsafe cholera vaccines, eroding trust among vulnerable communities.
According to the report, around 94% of disasters are managed primarily by national authorities and local communities without international assistance. While local volunteers, community leaders and local media are often the most trusted sources of information, they are increasingly operating in hostile and polarised information environments.
Chapagain emphasised that trust is one of the most critical assets in humanitarian response. Without trust, people are less likely to prepare for disasters, seek help or follow life-saving guidance, while strong trust allows communities to respond collectively and recover more effectively.
The report calls for coordinated efforts from governments, technology companies, humanitarian agencies and communities to address harmful information during crises.
It recommends that technology platforms prioritise verified information from trusted humanitarian and health actors and improve moderation of harmful content. Governments should invest in evidence-based regulation and strengthen data systems to monitor crises and misinformation.
Humanitarian agencies are urged to integrate preparedness against harmful information into their operations through trained teams, predictive tools and stronger community engagement. At the same time, communities and local actors are encouraged to promote digital literacy, track rumours and ensure local perspectives shape crisis responses.
The World Disasters Report 2026 aims to guide policymakers, researchers and humanitarian practitioners in strengthening resilience against harmful information before, during and after disasters.
