International Rescue Committee (IRC)
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The IRC in Ethiopia

A child holds his crops, part of IRC agriculture, economic recovery programs
Photo: Kevin McNulty/IRC

The International Rescue Committee delivers essential aid to over 100,000 refugees who have fled to Ethiopia from neighboring countries like Somalia, Sudan and Eritrea and more than 500,000 Ethiopians affected by drought. The IRC responds to emergency needs with clean water, sanitation and health care and also encourages long-term development.

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Inside our work in Ethiopia

  • A teacher helps a student in a school, part of an IRC education program
  • <p>The IRC raises awareness of the importance of girls regularly attending school and makes sure they have equal access to education. For example, by distributing sanitary napkins and underwear to teenage girls, they feel more comfortable going to school and attendance has increased dramatically.</p>
  • Young children sit together; the IRC protects them from disease, hunger
  • A child eats a healthy meal, part of IRC's efforts to provide health care
  • Women collect clean water from a source and learn about sanitation
  • A farmer with his donkey, benefitting from IRC economic, agriculture programs
  • A community meets together; the IRC encourages participation in development
  • IRC staff uses technology to survey Ethiopia to provide efficient programs
Launch Slideshow

The IRC is in Ethiopia helping refugees and local residents to stay safe, make a living and gain access to education, clean water and health care.

More Slideshows ›

How We Help

  • The IRC constructs classrooms, trains teachers and makes sure that everyone has access to safe, high-quality education.
  • The IRC promotes good health by building and maintaining clean water sources and sanitation facilities, and by training community health workers and raising awareness of health challenges and solutions.
  • The IRC assists farmers and promotes new livelihood opportunities for youth.
  • The IRC encourages local communities to participate in their recovery and development projects.
January 23, 2012 | Blog
"We Can Be Heroes"
In times of crisis we are stronger together. That's why the IRC is proud to join Save the Children and Mercy Corps in partnering with DC Entertainment as part of the We Can be Heroes campaign.
January 23, 2012 | Press Release
International Rescue Committee partners with We Can Be Heroes campaign
December 28, 2011 | Photo Essay Slideshow
New-found sight
December 28, 2011 | Blog
The IRC helps a little girl see
December 26, 2011 | Blog
2011: Drought and famine in the Horn of Africa
October 28, 2011 | Blog
A village that once had no water
October 4, 2011 | Video
George Rupp on famine in East Africa
September 28, 2011 | News
East Africa Drought: Update on the IRC's response

See more stories about the IRC's work in Ethiopia

Research

PDF Downloads

Understanding hand washing behavior: Results of formative research on hand washing in refugee camp populations in Thailand, Kenya and Ethiopia (December 2011)
East Africa Drought Fact Sheet - September 2011
IRC Horn and East Africa Drought Factsheet - August 2011

See all IRC resources about Ethiopia

The IRC's Work in the Media

ITV News wins award for east Africa famine coverage
May 8, 2012 | ITV.com
ITV News wins award for east Africa famine coverage
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman urge fans to help Africa
February 3, 2012 | Christian Science Monitor
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman urge fans to help Africa
Superman, Batman Join Fight to Save Horn of Africa
February 3, 2012 | ABC News
Superman, Batman Join Fight to Save Horn of Africa

See more stories about the IRC's work in Ethiopia