International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Who We Are › Our Impact

Our Impact

A woman fills a water jug from a tap stand built by the IRC in Somalia
Photo: Peter Biro/IRC

The International Rescue Committee responds to the world’s worst crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives.  For over 75 years, we have offered lifesaving care and life-changing help to refugees forced to flee from conflict or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.

In 2011, the IRC restored hope and opportunity for millions of conflict-affected people around the world. Here’s a look at some of our recent achievements: 
 
  • We gave 1.7 million people access to clean drinking water and sanitation.

  • Our doctors, nurses and community health workers provided 21 million people with primary and reproductive health care. 

  • We vaccinated over 500,000 children against disease and our IRC-supported clinics and hospitals helped 192,000 women deliver healthy babies. 

  • We trained 11,000 educators and supported 2,255 schools attended by 420,000 students, over half of them girls.

  • We counseled and cared for nearly 16,000 survivors of sexual violence and educated and mobilized over 590,000 men, women and children to lead prevention efforts in their communities

  • We created or obtained over 23,000 jobs for clients and provided skills training to over 7,000 young people.
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  • We assisted over 16,000 refugees who departed from camps and cities in East Asia to enter United States and build new lives.

  • In the United States, we helped resettle some 7,000 newly arrived refugees and provided services to over 24,000 refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking.

Our ratings

  • The American Institute of Philanthropy gives the IRC an A+. 
  • Forbes gives the IRC high ratings for program efficiency and fundraising efficiency. 
  • The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance notes the IRC meets all 20 of its standards. 
  • Charity Navigator awards us four stars, its highest rating.

Our efficiency

Of every $1 the IRC spends, more than 90¢ goes to programs and services that directly benefit refugees and communities affected by war or disaster.


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