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Providing fast-acting and sustained humanitarian relief.

10,000 relief workers employed in 40 countries.

One of the world’s most treasured minds – and one of its most notable refugees – lies behind the initiation of the International Rescue Committee. Albert Einstein called for the founding of an American branch of the European International Relief Association in order to assist German refugees under Hitler’s regime in 1933. It later joined forces with the Emergency Rescue Committee based in Vichy, France before evolving into the International Rescue Committee in 1942. Today, the IRC mission remains inspired by the same mission - to respond to the world’s worst humanitarian crises in order to help people to survive and rebuild their lives. 

The International Rescue Committee maintains a flawless reputation as one of the most reliable, fast-acting, and transparent relief agencies in the world. In the event of a crisis, their Emergency Response Team is on the ground within 72 hours. The team is equipped with logistical and health experts as well as human rights specialists. The organization maintains key caches of supplies around the world and has developed an emergency inventory kit enabling them to set up services at very short notice. As lives are most at risk during the initial stages of a disaster, the International Rescue Committee spares no time in responding with their well-equipped and seasoned team. 

IRC staff remain in countries post-conflict to initiate recovery and foster sustained development. Operating in some of the most dangerous regions of the world, International Rescue Committee workers are true humanitarians. Recently, the Committee opened a second hospital – more accurately a series of seven tents – in the heart of Mogadishu, after a clinic was bombed-out. Although the Somali health ministry plans to re-open the clinic eventually, the International Rescue Committee felt the need for medical care in the city – ravaged by drought, famine and continued fighting - was too severe to wait. The hospital will serve some 22,000 displaced people in the immediate area. 

The organization’s bold and sustained commitment to relief work – consistently venturing into nightmarish scenarios – is inspirational in both its resolve and efficacy. Last year alone, the International Rescue Committee helped re-settle some 9,600 newly-arrived refugees and provided services to over 24,500 refugees, asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking within the United States. They counseled nearly 12,000 survivors of sexual violence and provided 14.5 million people with primary and reproductive health care, vaccinated 210,000 children against childhood diseases and helped deliver 152,000 healthy babies in their clinics.

(Photo © IRC)