This March, the IRC in Silver Spring moved to 8737 Colesville Road in Silver Spring and rebranded as the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring: Welcome Center for Immigrants and Refugees. After 17 years of service, the IRC in Silver Spring reflects on its history and growth in the community.

In acute emergencies, the IRC establishes emergency water, sanitation and hygiene promotion programs, ensuring that life-saving services can be initiated efficiently. As countries evolve from emergencies to rebuilding, the IRC works to build stronger community and government oversight on improved water, hygiene and sanitation services, and maintenance of systems.

This paper aims to articulate why markets are at the core of the IRC’s programming in economic recovery and development and beyond and how the IRC does and should engage with markets across sectors.