Mariela Shaker is a refugee from Aleppo, one of more than 4.8 million Syrians who have fled the brutal war that has engulfed the country for six years. Her home is largely in ruins, and she describes the city as a slaughterhouse, but her entire family is still there, struggling to survive. The 26 year old’s incredible musical talent earned her a full scholarship to study in the United States—and a reprieve from the violence.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRC has been able to deliver school supplies to families and continue serving refugee students in our Ready to Read after-school program in Seattle. IRC tutors meet with students in an online classroom, assigning them books to read that correspond with their current reading level. Students who do not have computer or internet access receive printed copies of the same books.

28-year-old Moussa has made a new life for himself in Greece since leaving the Ivory Coast. He's planning on opening 'Our Home', Athens' first Ivorian restaurant, inspired by his childhood. His family used to cook for the whole community for free, welcoming everyone into their home to enjoy food. Sadly, his parents and younger brother died before he left the Ivory Coast.

Rami Malek, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Morena Baccarin, Sepideh Moafi, Ebony Obsidian and other IRC Ambassadors share why they are proud to support the IRC’s work to help refugee families survive, recover and rebuild in the world’s toughest places. Learn more about how celebrities are supporting refugees and join them by making a gift to the IRC today.  

Meet five refugee women—as diverse as former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to rapper M.I.A.—who have made a mark on history.