Reports and resources
The International Rescue Committee uses our learning and experience to assist people affected by crisis and shape humanitarian policy and practice. Browse our research and resources.
Delivering the COVID-19 Response to the Last Mile: Recommendations for the U.S. Government
The Biden-Harris Administration has taken important and crucial steps to provide relief to the most vulnerable populations abroad, such as through the American Rescue Plan’s supplemental funding for the international response; contributions to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; and commitments to provide 500 million vaccine doses and donate another 80 million excess doses to low- and middle-income countries. But vaccine donations alone are insufficient; they must be complemented by clear plans for and investments in the efficient and rapid delivery of doses, with careful attention to areas not reached by national governments.
IRC Annual Report 2020
In this Annual Report, you will read the stories and examples of the life-changing work led by IRC staff and volunteers in 2020.
Meeting the moment: 70 years after the Refugee Convention, how the US and EU can renew humanitarian leadership
Seventy years ago, 145 countries signed the 1951 Refugee Convention in the wake of World War II, when the displacement of millions of people across Europe shed light on the need for humanitarian protections for those forced to flee violence and persecution. Since 1951, 50 million people have been protected under the Convention’s umbrella. Yet, today, the consensus that forged the Convention and the international cooperation that underpins it are being increasingly undermined. Over the past several years, we have seen a decline in resettlement, a hardening of refugee inclusion and asylum policies, and humanitarian aid lagging behind needs, across the regions that once most firmly upheld these protections. This report outlines how the US and Europe were key players at the time of the Convention's creation - now is the time for these same actors to reinvigorate it.
Inclusive Client Responsiveness: Toolbox
Toolbox - Inclusive Client Responsiveness: Focus on People with Disabilities and Older People
Inclusive Client Responsiveness: Focus on People with Disabilities and Older People
Humanitarian actors recognize the lack of standard practice on the inclusion of older people and people with disabilities in humanitarian response as a current and critical gap in the sector. In recent years, the humanitarian sector has begun to more intentionally address these challenges. In response, the IRC has developed this Inclusive Client Responsiveness Guidance aims to address gaps in the IRC’s Client Responsive Programming specifically to strengthen inclusion of people with disabilities and older people.
IRC testimony to the US Senate urging increased funding for refugees and displaced people
Ahead of a Senate hearing on appropriations for the State Department and the US Agency for International Development, the IRC submitted testimony to urge Congress to increase funding for programs that provide overseas and emergency refugee assistance, basic education, malnutrition relief, services for vulnerable children, and programs to counter gender-based violence. The IRC also asked Congress to work to improve the effectiveness, transparency, and accountability of humanitarian financing and to allocate 20,000 additional Special Immigrant Visas for U.S.-affiliated Afghans in FY22.
IRC Strategy100
After 100 years of service, we want the impact of our programs and the influence of our ideas to further empower those caught in crisis to make lasting change in their lives. Read about our strategy.
IRC Commitments at the Generation Equality Forum
The Generation Equality Forum can and should drive progress towards gender equality in humanitarian contexts. IRC has called for the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) to be purposefully inclusive of achieving gender equality in humanitarian contexts.
The Impacts of Tutoring Informed by Social-Emotional Learning: An Analysis Across Crisis Contexts
As part of the Education in Emergencies: Evidence for Action (3EA) initiative, with start-up funding from Dubai Cares, we worked to develop, provide and evaluate complementary education programs to children enrolled in public schools in Lebanon, Niger and Sierra Leone.
IRC Afghanistan - Drought Assessment - June 2021
Between May 4th-12th, 2021 the International Rescue Committee (IRC) conducted a drought needs assessment in the provinces of Herat, Badghis, Pakitya, Helmand and Khost to get a clear understanding of the impact of the situation caused by the extreme weather conditions that have affected different parts of the world, including Afghanistan. A sample from 484 community members across the five provinces show that water resources are becoming increasingly scarce as result of slow onset drought conditions, with reported cases of increased conflict over water in various communities. Pastoralists have started experiencing loss of livestock and strain on pastoral livelihoods and this will worsen as food prices increase; it has already been reported that some households have not been able meet their food needs. Key findings include: -83% of 484 people interviewed are already experiencing displacement within their communities -75% respondents reported an increase in conflict arising in areas where water supplies have depleted -81% of participants with children under the age of 5 reported diarrhea and illness owing to a lack of clean water -Interviewees said that some families are being pushed towards extreme survival measures such as selling off their assets,livestocks reducing the number of meals, and child marriage To prevent large-scale displacement, early response is required to support households faced with challenges of food security and livelihoods in form of cash-based assistance or food distributions. Livelihood support should also be prioritised to protect household assets including provision of livestock fodder and veterinary service. This drought assessment report did not include the other major humanitarian factors such as COVID-19, food security situation and conflict, which impact the lives of the Afghans as a whole.