International Rescue Committee

International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee is on the ground in more than 40 countries, providing emergency relief, relocating refugees, and rebuilding lives in the wake of disaster. Through 22 IRC locations in cities across the United States, we resettle refugees in the U.S. and help them become self-sufficient.

Mission statement

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Summary of relevant work

In 2014 the International Rescue Committee and our local partner organizations restored hope and opportunity for millions of people uprooted by war, conflict and natural disasters. Here's a look at some of our recent achievements:

  • Helped 17.6 million people whose lives and livelihoods were shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.
  • Provided 16 million people with primary and reproductive health care
  • Gave 3.3 million people access to clean drinking water and sanitation
  • Vaccinated over 364,000 children under the age of one against disease
  • Helped 331,000 women deliver healthy babies in IRC-supported clinics and hospitals
  • Treated 104,000 children under the age of five for acute malnutrition.
  • Provided schooling and educational opportunities to more than 1 million girls and boys, and trained nearly 23,000 educators
  • Provided counseling or cared for 32,500 vulnerable children 
  • Counseled and provided essential services to some 11,000 survivors of gender-based violence and educated and mobilized over 1.2 million men, women and children to lead prevention efforts in their communities
  • Created 1,530 village savings and loan associations (VSLAs) that benefited some 36,000 members in 8 countries
  • Provided 18,000 farmers with agricultural or agribusiness training
  • Provided job-related skills training (entrepreneurship, business and financial literacy, vocational training) to 18,000 people
  • Provided legal assistance to 22,000 people through IRC-supported legal centers
  • In the United States, the IRC helped resettle 10,900 newly arrived refugees and other immigrants

Details

Approach(es)
Advocacy
Detection and diagnosis
Empowerment and service user involvement
Human rights
Prevention and promotion
Training, education and capacity building
Treatment, care and rehabilitation
Disorder(s)
All mental health conditions
Region(s)
Africa
Asia
Middle East
North America
Population(s)
Adults
Children and adolescents
Communicable diseases (e.g. HIV/AIDS, TB)
Disability
Humanitarian and conflict health
Maternal and neonatal health
Non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer, diabetes, stroke)
Older adults
Setting(s)
Community
Primary care
Country(s)
United States