The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has been named one of the world's most innovative companies in Fast Company’s annual list, recognizing our commitment to transforming humanitarian aid through cutting-edge and cost-effective solutions.

As the IRC faces one of the most challenging periods in its 90-year history, we remain dedicated to delivering innovative, data-driven programs that save lives and build resilience in some of the most difficult contexts across the world.

Now is the time to meet the moment: help the IRC continue our life-saving work. 

Driving innovation in humanitarian aid

Innovation is at the heart of the IRC’s mission. We prioritize evidence-based, scalable solutions that maximize impact and ensure every dollar is used efficiently.

Explore some of our groundbreaking programs that deliver impact where it matters most.

Anticipatory Action: Preparing for climate disasters before they strike

The IRC’s Anticipatory Action (AA) approach helps communities prepare for and reduce the impact of climate disasters before they happen. Launched in Nigeria in 2021, our pilot program combines indigenous knowledge, weather data and satellite technology to predict floods and trigger early cash assistance for at-risk households.

Research shows that pre-disaster cash aid helps families invest in long-term resilience, such as agriculture and livestock, reducing economic losses and food insecurity. As we expand our AA programs, the IRC is exploring new technologies, including AI, to further improve climate risk prediction and protect vulnerable communities worldwide.

A farmer uses a water pump to irrigates his crops in rural Nigeria.
Salihu, a farmer and IRC Anticipatory Action client, used his cash assistance to purchase an irrigation pipe so that he could continue to farm during the dry season in Adamawa State, Nigeria.
Photo: Taiwo Aina for the IRC

Signpost: AI-powered information for people in crisis

Signpost is the IRC’s community-led digital help center, delivering trusted, life-saving information to people affected by conflict, disasters, poverty and violence.

This initiative was designed in 2015 to respond directly to the needs of refugees arriving in Greece with nothing but their cell phones. Now available in nearly 20 countries and 25 languages, Signpost helps 18 million active users access local services, helpful information and direct support from trained IRC moderators.

With SignpostChat, AI-powered assistants help IRC moderators respond instantly in over 50 languages, including underrepresented languages like Pashto and Hausa. This innovation is set to expand Signpost’s reach tenfold and speed up response times by 99%, ensuring people in crisis get the support they need—fast.

An IRC staff member demonstrates how Signpost works.
An IRC staff member shows Adriana, a mother from Honduras who was forced to flee gang extortion, how to use Signpost to find information and local services, like shelters and medical clinics.
Photo: Paul Ratje for the IRC

aprendIA: Improving education outcomes in crisis zones

Education is a fundamental right and it extends to all children, including those experiencing crisis. The IRC’s aprendIA empowers learning in difficult contexts by using an AI chatbot to deliver personalized learning programs to children and teachers. Using accessible messaging platforms like WhatsApp, aprendIA integrates ChatGPT to create tailored educational content while ensuring local language support and expert moderation.

Currently being tested in Nigeria, Bangladesh and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aprendIA provides evidence-based training for teachers on classroom management and well-being. 

Future expansions will include FAQs and human response features with recorded audio, ensuring education remains accessible even in the most challenging environments.

Several girls raise their hands to answer a question in their classroom in Nigeria.
aprendIA helps ensure that all children have the right to education—no matter where they live.
Photo: Rinkat Oswald for the IRC

Support the IRC

Through turbulent times and unpredictable funding, the IRC remains invested in innovation. We have adapted and risen to the occasion before and will again, ensuring our life-saving programs and groundbreaking solutions reach those who need them most.

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC, which support humanitarian parolees as they integrate into their new communities. Your donation can empower our work in the U.S. and more than 40 countries worldwide.

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Stay informed: Follow our coverage of U.S. News for a humanitarian perspective.