International Rescue Committee

“I've done this work for 25 years. And I've never seen such destruction, displacement with such intense hunger developed so quickly.” The level of destruction and suffering in Gaza right now is unprecedented. Listen as the IRC’s Vice President of Emergency Programs Bob Kitchen describes what he saw on a visit to the area. The IRC is working around the clock with Palestinian partners to alleviate suffering and save lives. Learn more about our work at rescue.org

The power of community shines bright in one family's journey from Colombia to Bend, Ore., thanks to the efforts of the Antioch Welcome Corps Sponsor Group. After enduring persecution following the violent loss of a family member, Jhon, Maria, and their two children sought refuge in Ecuador, only to face more uncertainty in refugee camps. Members of Antioch Church heard of the program and formed a Welcome Corps sponsor group to provide the family a safe pathway to the United States. The diverse skills of each sponsor, guidance from the International Rescue Committee as the group’s private sponsor organization, and an outpouring of community and business support enabled the family to quickly settle in their new home. Read more of their inspiring story ⤵️

This #WorldImmunizationWeek reminds us of these children and, specifically, how the global public health community must continue working to deliver lifesaving vaccines to these hard-to-reach places. Worldwide an estimated 1 in 7 children is zero-dose, meaning they have never received a single vaccine dose. This leaves these children at risk of preventable disease and even death. These children are concentrated in impoverished, hard-to-reach, and fragile contexts where local communities have often been excluded from the massive global public health strides of recent decades. That need was at the core of REACH, the IRC and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance partnership to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children across East Africa. Working with local partners, this initiative has now delivered more than one million doses of lifesaving vaccines in fragile and conflict-affected areas across Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. This work continues and is a testament to the power and impact of innovative and locally tailored solutions. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eWieuFpJ

Major flooding across Afghanistan has affected over 1,500 families. Many have lost their homes and livelihoods are threatened. IRC is working to assess the humanitarian needs in areas we operate, including Herat, Abdghis and Helmand provinces. Our teams are deeply concerned that additional flooding, predicted to reach the central, south, southeast and southwest of Afghanistan over the next week, will have a detrimental impact on large swathes of the population.

How can communities build resilience to flooding in northeast Nigeria? With support from Google.org, the IRC has worked together with the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to pilot the use of early warning systems and anticipatory cash for communities in Adamawa state, Nigeria, who are impacted by increased risks of severe flooding. Empowered with vital information and financial support, families can better withstand the challenges posed by climate change-driven floods. This #EarthDay, from the farmers themselves who are utilizing cash assistance for food, early warnings to safeguard their farms, and are extending help to their neighbors ⬇️

A reminder this #EarthDay: The people who contribute the least to climate change often bear the brunt of it the most. In the span of just a few months, Honduras has experienced floods, landslides, drought and wildfires. This is why action on climate change matters. While the effects of the climate crisis are already here, the world is not powerless to stop it. Visit rescue.org/climate to learn more about how climate change is already impacting vulnerable communities around the world and what the IRC is doing to help.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has forced millions of families to flee to neighboring countries in search of safety. Our East Africa Digital and Content Officer, Fahmo Mohammed, reports from Kiryandongo refugee settlement in western Uganda, where over 9,000 Sudanese people have arrived since the fighting broke out a year ago. The IRC is providing vital health services, but humanitarian needs are only growing as people continue to be displaced. #TalkAbout Sudan #KeepEyesOnSudan

“Every single health care provider here has a devastating story.” These are the words of Dr. Tanya Haj-Hassan, a pediatrician who travelled to Gaza as part of our joint Emergency Medical Team with Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP). While working in Al Aqsa hospital, she witnessed firsthand how devastating this conflict has been for civilians—and the dual challenge for local health care workers trying to provide care while worrying about their own families. Yet in the midst of such tragic loss and dire circumstances, Dr. Haj-Hassan finds inspiration in the unwavering generosity of Palestinians. Listen above as she tells stories from the ground:

We must keep talking about Sudan. Dr. Mogahed Ahmed, an IRC doctor working in Al Gedaref State, felt the conflict’s impact firsthand when he and his family fled their home in Al Jazeera last year to escape the spreading turmoil. Now with ongoing communications blackouts, Mogahed has been unable to contact some of his family members for the past two months. Despite all this, he continues to help others, treating 50 patients daily for fevers, child malnutrition and chronic diseases. With over 8 million people displaced and families shattered, the world must not turn away. The people of Sudan deserve our attention. #TalkAboutSudan #KeepEyesOnSudan

Recent escalations in the Middle East are unprecedented and risk regional conflagration, threatening tens of millions of civilians. To avoid the security situation spiraling out of control all efforts must be made to ensure de-escalation through political and diplomatic means alone. The IRC and 12 other humanitarian NGOs operating in the region are calling for all involved parties and those with influence over them need to immediately work towards de-escalation. We alo remind parties to conflict that international law is non-negotiable and must be respected at all times. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/eqqXFhU2