Hunger Day collection raises 1.5 million
The 2025 Hunger Day collection of the Finnish Red Cross raised nearly as much as in the previous year for aid work. Donations to the Disaster Relief Fund help those affected by crises or disasters in Finland and abroad.
The Finnish Red Cross Hunger Day collection was held throughout the country from 11 September to 13 October 2025. More than 8,100 volunteer box collectors participated in the collection, in addition to people donating digitally, such as online.
The Hunger Day campaign raised a total of 1.52 million euros in donations. The previous year, a total of 1.6 million euros were donated.
“The excellent result shows that, even in financially trying times, people have a strong will to help others. Collecting and donating are a tangible way to act when the world around us seems unpredictable. I would like to extend a warm thank you to each and every campaign participant for the donations and the help they make possible,” says Sirpa Solehmainen, Director of Fundraising at the Finnish Red Cross.
The donations showed that box collection continues to play an important role in the campaign. The number of online and MobilePay donations also increased.
Donations provide emergency aid and help prepare for crises
Funds from the Disaster Relief Fund are used to help those in need in Finland and abroad. The funds raised on Hunger Day are not earmarked in advance for a certain country or cause and can therefore be used to provide rapid aid when disasters or conflicts suddenly increase the need for aid.
At the moment, the Finnish Red Cross uses funds from the Disaster Relief Fund to help those affected by conflicts in Gaza and Sudan as well as hurricane-affected communities in Jamaica. In Finland, aid is offered to victims of sudden accidents, such as people who have lost their home in a fire.
The funds are also used to maintain the Finnish Red Cross's readiness to help in crises and disasters. The Disaster Relief Fund supports, among other things, the Finnish Red Cross's surgical field hospital and clinics, which can be mobilised in 48 hours when the Finnish Red Cross receives a request to send units.
“The field hospital is an example of the kind of readiness that can be utilised both abroad and in Finland. The same experience, specialists and material preparedness are available where help is most needed,” says Marko Korhonen, Head of International Emergency Operations Unit at the Finnish Red Cross.
Hunger Day is the biggest annual nationwide collection arranged by the Finnish Red Cross. It has been held since 1980.
