Najib Faizi was the first man from Afghanistan to publicly declare himself a drag queen: "I am a man. I like to put on make-up and women's clothes." Today, he campaigns for equal rights and the rights of the LGBTQI+ community - in Germany and Afghanistan. In this interview, he talks about what moves and motivates him, why he stands up for others, and what we can learn from each other.

Who we are The mission of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and di- saster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Our vision is that the IRC will lead the humanitarian field by implementing high-im- pact, cost-effective programs for people affected by crisis, and we will shape global policy and practice by sharing our learning and experience with others. All IRC programs are designed to achieve meaningful change in people’s health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and ability to influence the decisions that affect their lives. As part of these efforts, we work to implement proven interventions that facilitate the greatest potential for healthy women and children.

In August 2021, Maryam's life changed forever when the Taliban took control of her home city, Kabul in Afghanistan. She had to leave behind her home, family and the job she had worked so hard for. 

Meet Nasro, a 17 year old who considers herself to be one of the bravest girls in the world. Her story is the inspiration for the short film Brave Girl Rising, produced by the nonprofit organisation Girl Rising in collaboration with the International Rescue Committee.

Sometimes, music speaks when words fail. That’s what a group of Syrian girls discovered through music classes run by the International Rescue Committee.

Flows of refugees into Europe show no sign of abating. In January 2016 alone, 65,775 men, women and children travelled treacherous seas to find sanctuary in Europe, more than in July last year. As a result of chronic conflict, persecution, and human rights abuses in origin countries, the UNHCR predicts 1 million will travel to Europe in 2016. Europe has shown itself to be ill-equipped to respond to this crisis. As a result of a lack of coordinated and humane response by Europe, thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution continue to lose their lives and their dignity. This is desperate situation and reflects a shamefully inadequate response. Addressing this challenge is not beyond reach, but European states must take urgent action now.

A long-term refugee crisis, with thousands stranded in substandard camps, is unfolding on European soil. As nearly 8,500 men, women and children on Greek islands await possible return to Turkey, around 48,000 remain contained in mainland Greece while they attempt to negotiate an ineffectual asylum system. The EU-Turkey deal has not dampened the desperation of people to reach sanctuary in Europe. Denied safe alternative pathways into Europe, significantly more Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans are risking their lives by travelling via smuggling routes through the Balkans. Meanwhile, elsewhere in Europe at least 880 are believed to have drowned last week attempting to make the treacherous sea crossing from Libya to Italy.