A Salvadoran refugee girl is pursuing an education in the United States. A Nigerian woman is creating her own business despite the male-dominated society of her native country. A Rohingya activist in Bangladesh is helping to end violence against women.

“First she must trust in herself,” Razia Sultana says. “She must grow the confidence to say: Yes I can. I am not a burden. If women can think that, they can achieve anything.”

In times of crisis, information can be lifesaving. The IRC has developed an online platform called CuéntaNos, which is helping displaced people in El Salvador access information about much-needed services.

“I told my sons: ‘we are going on a boat – sailing to a beautiful island.’ I didn’t tell them that we might die, that we were playing with our lives that night.”

Nearly a quarter of IRC staff members have been forced to flee their homes as a result of airstrikes and bombings in northwest Syria. This IRC staffer, a native of Syria, shares his heartbreaking story, and why, despite all, he stays to help save lives.

As COVID-19 spreads globally, people living in conflict zones with weak health systems will be hit hardest. These areas are home to displaced families and overcrowded refugee camps with limited resources. Just this week, the first reported case of this new coronavirus has been confirmed in Syria, which could lead to one of the most severe outbreaks in the world.

The IRC is responding to COVID-19 in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh, home to more than 1 million Rohingya refugees.

The coronavirus pandemic has overwhelmed even countries with advanced health care systems. But while Europe and the United States face shortages of ventilators, intensive care units (ICUs) and protective equipment, many countries affected by conflict and crisis have virtually none to begin with.

Five key lessons that could save lives as COVID-19 spreads to countries

Dr. Stacey Mearns and the IRC's team of health experts answer a few key questions about pandemics and how the coronavirus is impacting refugees and the IRC's work.