Every day, millions of people worldwide face life-threatening crises. Humanitarian aid is a vital lifeline that delivers a variety of essential services to those in need. But as global crises escalate, so does the need for support.

We cannot ignore the rise in global humanitarian needs. The IRC believes that everyone has the right to a safe and meaningful life and that high-impact, cost-effective solutions can empower people in crisis, helping them to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

In addition to its moral imperative, humanitarian aid also benefits donor countries like the United States. It means fewer conflicts, fewer people forced to flee, and less poverty and global instability—keeping us all safer in the process. 

What is humanitarian aid?

Humanitarian aid is a form of assistance designed to save lives and alleviate suffering during and after crises, such as floods, famine or conflicts. Aid is essential for addressing the immediate needs of affected populations and laying the groundwork for long-term recovery and development.

A young child is screened for malnutrition by an IRC staff member in Chad.
The IRC delivers a wide variety of humanitarian aid programs—including critical health services for children like Fatima who are experiencing acute malnutrition.
Photo: Jacob Zocherman for the IRC

Why is humanitarian aid important?

More than 362 million people around the world are in critical need of humanitarian aid. When people are at their most vulnerable, humanitarian aid is often the difference between survival and suffering, or even life and death.

Contributions from governments, corporate partners and grassroots donors are urgently needed to meet these unprecedented levels of need. Ignoring the issue will lead to catastrophe for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

Who benefits from humanitarian aid?

Everyone. Humanitarian aid is a lifeline to communities in crisis and contributes to a safer and more prosperous world. The delivery of humanitarian aid is rooted in impartiality and strives to reach those with the most pronounced needs—regardless of political, social or economic factors.

For communities receiving humanitarian aid, this support is a matter of life or death. Humanitarian aid prevents children from starving, enables families to evacuate from climate disasters and provides health care services to the sick.

Humanitarian aid isn’t just about what’s right. It’s also about what’s smart. Global threats like disease and conflict grow out of poverty, instability, and bad governance. Aid works to counteract these threats. Foreign aid is an investment in peace and stability, it means fewer conflicts, fewer people forced to flee, less poverty and global instability, while creating new and stronger allies around the world—keeping us all safer in the process. 

How much does the U.S. spend on humanitarian aid?

Many people assume the U.S. spends a large portion of its budget on humanitarian aid—but in reality, it accounts for about 0.25% of federal spending. For every $100 the U.S. government spends, only $0.25 goes towards humanitarian aid.

Humanitarian aid has an outsized impact that can save lives while advancing American interests. Humanitarian aid is one of the most cost-effective ways to promote safety and stability—yet funding consistently falls short of the growing need.

A father holds his youngest daughter in the air in their home in Syria. Both share a smile.
Ibrahim* holds his youngest daughter Shams in their home in the Washokani Camp for internally displaced Syrians. The family receives medical services from an IRC-funded clinic in the camp.
Photo: Iuna Vieira for the IRC

What do humanitarian organizations do?

Humanitarian organizations like the IRC work in crisis-affected communities around the world to deliver humanitarian aid to the people who need it.

Specialists in crisis analysis and emergency response, humanitarian aid groups quickly assess the situation on the ground and determine the most effective ways to help people to survive and recover. We also work closely with local partners, empowering crisis-affected communities to lead and deliver humanitarian aid themselves.

An IRC staff members stands outside of a mental health and psychosocial support program in Gaza.
IRC Child Protection Manager, Faten, leads a psychosocial support program for children in Gaza. “We help children learn how to process the various emotions they experience as a result of facing crises and difficult psychological situations,” explains Faten.
Photo: Mohammed Abo Samra for the IRC

What are the different types of humanitarian aid?

Humanitarian aid itself comes in many different forms, depending on the needs on the ground and the level of access that aid organizations can get. For example, emergency food and nutrition supplies are essential in areas affected by severe food shortages, where high rates of malnutrition put children specifically at risk. In other situations, cash assistance can be more cost-effective and useful than food. 

Examples of humanitarian aid include:

A child attends an IRC education session at a classroom in Ethiopia.
By delivering education services in Ethiopia, the IRC helps build a brighter future and contributes to a more prosperous and stable community.
Photo: Derrick Taremwa for the IRC

What is the IRC?

The International Rescue Committee works in more than 40 countries and over 29 U.S. cities to help people affected by humanitarian crises survive, recover and rebuild their lives. We help to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. And we are proud to fight for a world where women and girls have an equal chance to succeed.

Driving our impact through efficiency

The IRC maximizes the impact of humanitarian aid by ensuring every dollar is spent efficiently. Through Dioptra, the IRC’s innovative cost-analysis tool, we help the humanitarian sector reduce costs while reaching more people in need. With a goal to improve cost efficiency by $225 million over the next four years, IRC is leading a movement to make humanitarian aid more effective and scalable.

Whether it’s revolutionizing malnutrition treatment, bringing education to conflict-affected children in the hardest-to-reach parts of the world, or providing emergency services to displaced families, the IRC is committed to being an efficient, solutions-driven organization that creates lasting change around the world.

Each year, the IRC reaches millions of people impacted by crisis. In 2023, this included:

  • 34.5M people reached in countries affected by crisis
  • 227,779 children supported through IRC safe spaces and other protection programs
  • 1,589,208 children and youth enrolled in learning programs
  • 721,357 people treated for malnutrition

How can I help deliver humanitarian aid?

Donate: Financial contributions are key for trusted organizations like the IRC, which deliver humanitarian aid to crisis-stricken communities around the world. Your donation can help people survive, recover and rebuild their lives.

Get connected: Follow our Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X accounts.

Stay informed: Learn more about the world’s most pressing crises and what the IRC is doing to help.

Take action: Join the IRC’s advocacy team as we fight for policies that deliver real change for the people we serve. 

Volunteer: Your time and skills can help the IRC deliver a wide range of services. Consider joining one of our 29 U.S. local offices.

*Pseudonym used for privacy