Cuts to U.S. aid for Afghanistan threaten essential IRC programs that deliver food, health care, education and critical support to millions in crisis.

In 2020, the IRC and the Lebanon Protection consortium (LPC) partnered up to explore the linkage between food insecurity and child labour, and its recent evolution in Lebanon given the multiple crises that hit the country and the deteriorating overall environment. Food insecurity has increased significantly in Lebanon during the past year; nearly 97% of the Syrian refugees on Lebanese soil are marginally or completely food insecure. Food based-negative coping mechanisms have also increased and infant and young child feeding practices have deteriorated. Food is the main expenditure for the most vulnerable households.

Two months ago, sisters Marta* and Oksana* lived peaceful lives in the same Ukrainian town where they were born, married and spent their entire lives. They both have young children–four between them, ages 9 to 15–and their families were happy, content and prosperous.

The IRC is providing health screenings to hundreds of Iraqi refugees at Al Hol refugee camp in Hassakah governate, north eastern Syria.

For children who witness conflict or crisis from a young age, it can have a lasting impact on their ability to thrive in educational and social settings.