Alex Cruz is a shelter specialist at the IRC's welcome center for asylum-seeking families in Phoenix, Arizona. Despite being in constant pain from health issues she’s had since birth, Alex chooses to focus on assisting families looking for safety and protection. “My job is the only reason I get up in the morning,” she says. Read her story.

'Ahlan Simsim' is a new, local, Arabic-language version of 'Sesame Street' designed to help young refugees in the Middle East cope with crisis. It's part of a larger education partnership between the International Rescue Committee and Sesame Workshop.

In November 2019, Tecle Gebremicheal became the first refugee from Africa to run for local office in Boise, Idaho. “When I first came to America, I promised myself that I will do everything I can to give back to the country and community that welcomed me,” he says. “I want to show that when refugees come here, we try to integrate and contribute however we can.”

Actor and IRC Ambassador Mandy Patinkin and businesswoman and philanthropist Cindy McCain recently visited the International Rescue Committee's welcome center in Phoenix, Arizona. Mandy and Cindy sat down to talk about the need for the U.S. to remain a safe haven for people escaping violence and persecution.

In an episode of Oprah's Book Club, Oprah Winfrey shares the story of Nadia, who left Honduras to escape violence when her daughter was only four months old. The harrowing journey of over 2,000 miles to the U.S.-Mexico border took seven months. The International Rescue Committee and our partners are helping women like Nadia and their families on both sides of the border. See our reading list about seeking asylum.

In an episode of Oprah's Book Club, Oprah Winfrey shares the stories of women who have fled growing violence in northern Central America but have been unable to find sanctuary in the United States because of new U.S. policies.

Razia Sultana is an independent activist, lawyer and feminist bringing change to the world's biggest refugee camp. In Bangladesh, close to one million Rohingya people have fled persecution in Myanmar. Living in an overcrowded camp, women continue to face violence—Razia is fighting to change that. Read her story from IRC-UK.

Refugees and asylum seekers aren’t numbers, but people with lives you would recognize. They are mothers, fathers, daughters and sons. They are neighbors, teachers, students, employees and business owners. They are also your closest friends. We asked refugees resettled in the U.S. and their neighbors how they became friends, what they learned from each other and why more Americans should welcome newcomers. Explore more stories.

“Our teams are doing an amazing job – but they need to do an even bigger job. And for that, we need your help.” Watch this message from International Rescue Committee president & CEO David Miliband about our COVID-19 response and how you can make a difference.

People living in crowded refugee camps have no way to "social distance." Learn how the IRC team in Kenya's Kakuma camp, now home to some 194,000 refugees, is helping people stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.