The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a major global humanitarian organization. It was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein to help people fleeing persecution in Europe. Today, the IRC works in over 40 countries affected by conflict and disaster, as well as in many cities across the United States. Their mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by crisis to survive, recover, and rebuild.
What the IRC Does
The IRC focuses on delivering effective solutions in several crucial areas to support vulnerable populations:
Economic Wellbeing: They help people meet basic needs and establish sustainable ways to earn income and build assets. This can include cash assistance, job training, and support for small businesses.
Education: The organization provides safe, quality learning opportunities for children, young people, and adults, often in challenging environments where access to schooling is limited.
Empowerment: The IRC works to ensure that individuals, especially women and girls, understand their rights and have the power to make decisions about their own lives and futures.
Health: They provide access to essential healthcare services, which includes maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, and vital mental health support.
Safety: The IRC helps communities protect themselves from harm, build safer environments, and understand their human rights, particularly for those displaced or affected by violence.
Women & Girls: This is a core focus across all their work. The IRC strives for a world where women and girls have an equal chance to succeed, recognizing their unique vulnerabilities and needs during crises.
How They Operate
The IRC responds to a wide array of humanitarian crises, from armed conflicts to natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. They aim to be on the ground quickly after a crisis hits and stay for the long term to support recovery efforts.
Their work includes:
Emergency Aid: Providing immediate assistance like clean water, temporary shelter, and medical care in the initial stages of a crisis.
Long-Term Assistance: Helping communities rebuild vital infrastructure, strengthen health systems, and restore livelihoods for sustainable recovery.
Refugee Resettlement: Assisting refugees and other displaced individuals in integrating into new communities, particularly in countries like the U.S. and parts of Europe.
Advocacy: Using their extensive field experience to influence global humanitarian policies and practices, aiming to improve the lives of even more people worldwide.
The IRC is committed to strong principles of integrity, accountability, service, and equality in all its operations, with a particular emphasis on addressing the unique barriers faced by women and girls in crisis settings.
