Women’s rights and women-led organizations (WROs/WLOs) are a critical driving force in providing effective gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response services to women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Although rhetorical recognition of WROs/WLOs has grown at policy levels, funding to WROs/WLOs remains incredibly low. Following on from “Why Not Local?”, this report provides analysis from across three contexts: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Ukraine. It reveals the pervasive systemic barriers preventing WROs/WLOs to access humanitarian funding.

Staff at the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City now serve in an additional capacity: community health workers for the Office of Health Disparities helping underserved communities affected by the pandemic access services.

The IRC in Garden City hosted a community forum, where refugees resettled in Garden City were given an opportunity to tell their stories and their community was given an opportunity to learn more about the services provided by the IRC.

As economic recovery activities for refugees in Jordan are restricted, the IRC has found that the provision of unconditional cash assistance coupled with case management, health services, psychosocial support, and outreach is a valuable means of reducing this distress.

Phyllis Korogodsky, a loan officer with the IRC in Phoenix, was recently recognized by the Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) with a resolution at their quarterly board meeting. The resolution read: “...[T]he CEO Board recognizes and thanks Phyllis Korogodosky for her exceptional service in her role as a Loan officer and Financial Coach for refugees in Arizona.” CEO is a subsidiary of the IRC that offers participants access to a range of affordable financial products that can accelerate clients’ upward economic mobility.  Recently certified by the U.S. Treasury as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), the Center offers credit-building, auto, and business loans to low-income borrowers. 

A dozen refugees got a chance to polish their interview skills during Love Turlock on April 29. IRC’s “Compassion for Refugees” project was one of 70 community projects taking place during the day of community service.