In these extraordinary times, the world needs courageous leadership. That is what the International Rescue Committee was founded to provide. Our first employee, Varian Fry, issued fake passports from a safe house in Nazi-occupied Marseille to help people escape persecution during WWII.

In a tribute video voiced by International Rescue Committee Ambassadors Rami Malek and Rashida Jones, the IRC celebrates courageous refugees and resilient IRC team members who stepped up during this challenging time to help people affected by the world's worst humanitarian crises.

  Watch a recording of our May 20, 2021 Global Virtual Event and celebrate the vital work of International Rescue Committee teams, and the courage and resilience of refugees and displaced people around the world.

Hear from artist, activist and refugee Diala Brisly on her story and her new illustration that embodies the statement, "Refugees are courageous."

Christine Shevchenko, a principal ballerina with the American Ballet Theatre, describes how the courage her family showed when fleeing her native Ukraine impacts her life and career today.

It takes great courage to open your heart and share your experience. That’s why this World Refugee Day (June 20), we are celebrating refugee artists who remind us that refugees are courageous. Muyambo Marcel Chishimba is a Congolese refugee resettled by the International Rescue Committee in Elizabeth, New Jersey. As a young boy, he was taught to paint by his uncle, acclaimed Congolese artist Kabemba Albert Stounas.

  It takes great courage to open your heart and share your experience. That’s why this World Refugee Day (June 2021), we are celebrating immigrant and refugee artists who use their creativity to connect, heal and bring us together. In this video, Palestinian-born Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer Belly describes how he fell in love with poetry and music, and how his past has impacted his art.

According to the United Nations refugee agency, a record 82.4 million people are displaced worldwide—double the number a decade ago. Every World Refugee Day (June 20), we honor the courage and contributions of refugees and displaced people around the world. This year, meet refugee and immigrant artists who use their creativity to connect and heal—bringing people closer together, and showing us who they are beyond the label of refugee.

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to strain health systems around the world, Jordan became one of the first countries to proactively vaccinate refugees. The IRC's Zaatari health clinic is now administering COVID-19 vaccines to the 79,000+ refugees living in the camp. Hear from Syrian refugees who received their shots.

Right now, there is a critical need for your sustained support. Start your monthly gift to the IRC today to help refugees in the world’s toughest places to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.