International Rescue Committee
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The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, non-governmental international relief and Humanitarian aid organization based in the US.
In 1933 American branch of the European-based International Relief Association (IRA) founded at the suggestion of Albert Einstein to assist Germans suffering under Hitler. Refugees from Mussolini's Italy and Franco's Spain are later assisted. In 1940 Emergency Rescue Committee (ERC) formed to aid European refugees trapped in Vichy France. Over 2,000 political, cultural, union and academic leaders rescued in 13 months. In 1942 IRA and ERC join forces under the name International Relief and Rescue Committee, later shortened to the International Rescue Committee.[1]
The IRC helps people fleeing racial, religious and ethnic persecution, as well as those uprooted by war and violence.
At work in more than 25 countries, 22 IRC delivers emergency response, health care, children and youth protection and development programs, water and sanitation systems, establishes schools, trains teachers, strengthens the capacity of local organizations and supports 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 get settled, adjust and acquire 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 International Rescue Committee is George Erik Rupp, formerly the President of Columbia University and of Rice University.
The International Rescue Committee issued a report detailing the plight of Iraqi refugees on the five-year anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.[2]
