Poni Rukia, a 38-year-old widow, is one of 1.7 million refugees residing in Uganda and working to rebuild their lives after fleeing brutal conflicts in places like South Sudan, the DRC and Sudan. After experiencing unimaginable tragedy that drove her from her family and home, she has found strength and purpose in community health work.

Boubacar Tahirou has experienced both unimaginable loss and remarkable transformation in his 45 years. Originally from Adab-dab, a village in Niger, bandit violence forced him to flee his peaceful farming life and start anew amid displacement. In addition to rebuilding his own life, Boubacar currently serves as a leader of an EMAP (Engaging Men in Accountable Practices) program — educating and engaging the men in his community in protecting women and girls from gender-based violence.

IRC Italy December 2024 Protection Monitoring Report - People arriving via land from the Balkan Route in Trieste (Italian-Slovenian border)

Nearly two years into the conflict in Sudan, women and girls face an escalating crisis. As of August 2024, women and girls make up 5.8 million (54%) of Sudan’s IDPs—3 million of whom are girls under 18 facing high risks, with 1.63 million of reproductive age urgently needing healthcare services.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has forced over 14 million people from their homes, with children bearing the brunt of the crisis. As millions face food insecurity, malnutrition, and a lack of safe water, urgent lifesaving assistance is needed to protect their futures.

Over half of Ukrainian children have been displaced by war, and an IRC study of refugee children in Poland highlights key risks they face—bullying, child labor, and mental health challenges—emphasizing the need for ongoing support and protection.

Ponad połowa ukraińskich dzieci została wysiedlona w wyniku wojny, a badanie IRC dotyczące dzieci uchodźców w Polsce podkreśla kluczowe zagrożenia, na jakie są one narażone – znęcanie się, praca dzieci i problemy związane ze zdrowiem psychicznym – podkreślając potrzebę ciągłego wsparcia i ochrony.

The IRC Hellas webinar on December 18, 2024, highlighted challenges and solutions for asylum seekers and refugees in accessing dignified housing across the EU, emphasizing collaboration between CSOs and authorities.