The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people affected by humanitarian crises - including the climate crisis - to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

Our work:

Founded at the call of Albert Einstein in 1933, the International Rescue Committee delivers lasting impact for people whose lives have been shattered by conflict and disaster. In the toughest and most remote places on earth, our programmes meet people’s multi-faceted needs through a rigorous, performance-based approach to all that we do.

In over 50 countries, our teams react quickly and stay for as long as they are needed. We listen to and respond to people’s needs, from clean water, shelter, and health care to education and earning an income. We ensure people not only survive, but also recover and rebuild their livelihoods, leading lives defined by the hope and dignity we all deserve.

Since our inception 90 years ago, we have been dedicated to bringing forth bold, innovative solutions, taking risks, and transforming the humanitarian landscape to help people survive, recover and rebuild their lives. Take a look back with us at some of the major milestones in our work over the last nine decades. 

Here are highlights of our impact over a year:

The IRC's impact in 2022

In 2022 the IRC and our partners reached over 32.9 million people in countries affected by crisis. As part of this work, we:

  • Supported 3,137 health facilities;
  • Provided 8,013,515 primary healthcare consultations;
  • Treated 222,278 children under 5 for severe acute malnutrition;
  • Admitted 453,344 children and 106,722 pregnant and lactating women to nutrition programmes;
  • Built or rehabilitated water supplies serving 3,490,159 people;
  • Reached 1,421,270 people with cash assistance and distributed $109,751,532 USD in cash or vouchers;
  • Provided counseling to 43,814 women survivors of gender-based violence;
  • Supported 122,390 children in IRC safe spaces and other protection programmes
  • Enrolled 807,853 children and youth in learning programmes;
  • Provided 186,491 individuals with livelihood support;

... among other assistance provided around the world last year.

Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI)

In 2022, the IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum and Integration (RAI) teams served 308,174 clients - 177,860 in the U.S. and 130,314 in Europe.

RAI Europe impact in 2022

  • 23,718 asylum seekers served;
  • 14 European countries hosted RAI projects.

RAI U.S. impact in 2022

  • 62,668 people served by IRC asylum and protection programmes;
  • 19,377 clients engaged in economic empowerment services;
  • 18,052 refugees, special immigrants and Afghan parolees resettled in the U.S.

How we focus our efforts 

The IRC compiles an annual list of the 20 humanitarian crises expected to deteriorate the most over the next year. For the past decade, this report has helped us determine where to focus our emergency services and lifesaving support to make the greatest impact.

Read the 2023 Emergency Watchlist report or our Watchlist at a Glance summary.