Dear Presidents,

Dear Secretaries General,

As this year draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting deeply on the extraordinary changes we have lived through together. The world around us continues to shift at a pace we have rarely seen – geopolitical tension, economic uncertainty, climate-driven disasters, and the growing needs of communities everywhere. These forces are reshaping the humanitarian landscape and challenging us to adapt, evolve, and stay true to our mission.

This year has asked much of all of us. Many National Societies are facing financial pressure, operational strain, and rising demands from the communities they serve. At the IFRC Secretariat, we too are navigating significant internal changes as we adjust to a new financial reality and rethink how we work, both globally and with each of you.

But we are rising to the challenges, as we know you are. Across every region, you have demonstrated what it means to be local, everywhere: to respond with compassion in the first moments of crisis; to remain present long after headlines fade; and to accompany communities with dignity, humanity, and hope.

We are deeply grateful for your leadership, your trust, and your unwavering commitment to humanity. Your work remains a source of inspiration for all of us.

As we look ahead, the changes we are undergoing must strengthen our network, not weaken it. They must reinforce our collective responsibility to ensure that every National Society, regardless of size, geography, or resources, has the opportunity to thrive, participate fully, and contribute meaningfully to our shared mission.

Even in a world marked by instability, we remain hopeful, because we see the power of what we can achieve when we act together. Our strength has always been our unity, our diversity, and the simple but profound belief that humanity must always come first.

Thank you for everything you have done this year for your communities, for the IFRC network, and for one another.

May the year ahead bring renewed sense of common purpose. And may our shared commitment to humanity continue to guide us through every uncertainty and into every community where we are needed.

With appreciation and solidarity,

Jagan Chapagain                                             Kate Forbes

Secretary General                                           President