Our response to the global refugee crisis will define us. Why it’s urgent that Europe acts, and what you can do today.

On 4 February 2016, the international community agreed on a ‘comprehensive new approach’ to address the protracted Syria crisis at the “Supporting Syria and the Region” Conference in London. Donors, and neighbouring countries, which host the vast majority of those who have fed Syria, committed to significant financial pledges and policy changes to improve the lives of refugees and host communities.

International Rescue Committee UK (IRC-UK) is profoundly saddened by the death of our beloved colleague, Mary Anne Schwalbe, who passed away on 14 September. Mary Anne was a founding director of IRC-UK when it started in 1997 and remained a trustee and Development Committee member, continuing to make a valued contribution despite the difficulties her ill health presented in recent months.

President Joe Biden is beginning his term after four years of an administration that wreaked havoc on the lives of refugees, asylum seekers and other marginalised communities, as well as failed to lead on global crises ranging from protracted conflicts to COVID-19 to climate change.