International Rescue Committee
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| International Rescue Committee
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| Formation | 1933 |
| Type | International NGO |
| Location | New York City, New York |
| President | George Erik Rupp |
| Website | http://www.theirc.org |
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, non-governmental international relief and humanitarian aid organization based in the United States. The IRC's mission is to help those fleeing racial, religious and ethnic persecution, as well as those uprooted by war and violence.
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[edit] History
In 1933, the American branch of the European-based International Relief Association (IRA) was founded at the suggestion of Albert Einstein, in order to assist Germans affected by Adolf Hitler's government. Later, refugees from Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain were assisted. In 1940, the Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) was formed to aid European refugees trapped in Vichy France. Over 2,000 political, cultural, union and academic leaders were rescued in thirteen months. In 1942, IRA and ERC joined forces under the name, International Relief and Rescue Committee, which was later shortened to the International Rescue Committee.[1]
[edit] Operations
At work in more than 25 countries, IRC delivers a number of services, including: emergency response, health care, children and youth protection and development programs, water and sanitation systems, the establishment of schools, training of teachers, strengthening the capacity of local organizations and supporting civil society and good-governance initiatives.
For refugees afforded sanctuary in the United States, IRC resettlement offices across the country provide a range of assistance aimed at helping new arrivals settling, adjusting and acquiring the skills to become self-sufficient.
The IRC gives out an annual Freedom Award "for extraordinary contributions to the cause of refugees and human freedom".
The current President of the IRC is George Erik Rupp, formerly the President of Columbia University and Rice University.
The IRC is currently spearheading an effort to "Urge President Obama to Take Action for Children's Rights" to have the United States sign the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 193 nations have signed this UN convention. The only other non-signer is Somalia.
[edit] Reports
- In a series of five ground-breaking mortality surveys between 2000 and 2007, the IRC documented the devastating impact of the crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[2]
- The IRC issued a report detailing the plight of Iraqi refugees on the five-year anniversary of the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq.[3]
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