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.
IRC FY21 Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) progress report
This report shares the IRC's FY21 progress through the framework of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy.
Why not local? Gender-based violence, women’s rights organisations, and the missed opportunity of COVID-19.
This report provides new evidence and builds on previous policy research by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), which for years has called for urgent attention to women and girls’ needs and priorities in humanitarian crises. Building from existing frameworks – including the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies, the Generation Equality Forum, and the Grand Bargain – we call on humanitarian actors to fulfil their commitments and increase the prioritisation of GBV interventions in humanitarian crises.
CRC Day – A lot has been done, but girls and boys are yet to fully enjoy their rights
The CRC came into existence in 1989. Despite the global support for this convention to be ratified, children’s’ protection and other rights are far from a reality for millions of children around the world.
The Global Compact on Refugees Three Years On: Navigating barriers and maximizing incentives in support of refugees and host countries
The Global Compact on Refugees, an international agreement adopted by the UN General Assembly in December 2018, aimed to make the responsibility for helping refugees worldwide more equitable and predictable. Three years on, and ahead of the first mid-term review of progress at a high-level meeting in December 2021, the International Rescue Committee in collaboration with Danish Refugee Council and Norwegian Refugee Council, have commissioned a report to assess progress on the Compact’s objectives and commitments.
Education at the International Rescue Committee: early childhood development
The IRC’s integrated network of support for early childhood programming ensures that babies and young children are receiving appropriate health and nutrition, cared for by nurturing and consistent caregivers in a safe and supportive environment, developing essential cognitive and social and emotional skills, and engaging in play and early learning experiences.
Supporting Beirut’s immediate social recovery services – environmental & social standards: all documents
The IRC has received funding from the World Bank to Support Beirut's Immediate Social Recovery Services. The IRC will implement material measures and actions so that the project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and the Environmental and Social Standards (ESS).
The communities we've left behind: The IRC's recommendations for an inclusive and equitable global Covid-19 response
While wealthier nations begin to offer already fully vaccinated populations a third dose, many countries lag far behind – and many vulnerable populations are struggling to even obtain their first. In the 20 countries identified by IRC at greatest risk of a major new – or significantly worsened – humanitarian crisis over 2021, only 2.4 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, and less than 5 percent of the population has received a single dose of the vaccine. This inequity will stall the global fight against COVID-19 while making the everyday reality for those living in conflict zones and protracted displacement contexts much graver, as COVID-19 will continue to exacerbate existing humanitarian crises, driving poverty, hunger, and insecurity. To bridge gaps in global response and center vulnerable populations in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, we make five central recommendations for global leaders and institutions in this brief.
IRC's New Roots Program: Growing Good from the Ground Up
The International Rescue Committee’s New Roots program helps refugees become food secure and contribute to their new homes and communities.
Strengthening Connections: Why social cohesion matters for the Rohingya and host Bangladeshi communities
In 2017, atrocities by the Myanmar military drove over 850,000 Rohingya across the border into Bangladesh, where they continue to live in temporary settlements today. Over the past four years, as conditions inside the refugee camps have deteriorated, the host community in Teknaf and Ukhiya—who generously welcomed refugees in 2017—have seemingly grown wary of their protracted presence. Intensifying environmental, economic and social impacts linked to continued Rohingya displacement have raised tensions, and studies since 2019 have documented declining social cohesion between refugee and host communities. This study, undertaken by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), in collaboration with researchers at Dhaka University (DU), assesses the challenges and opportunities to social cohesion in the Rohingya context. The report maps out social tension across five issue areas: environment and ecology; labour market; cultural and political landscape; land; and the presence of the humanitarian community.
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.