Protracted economic, political and security crises have rendered many countries ill-equipped to respond to COVID-19. Within these fragile contexts, refugees and people displaced by conflict and crisis will be disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. An effective response to COVID-19 requires both global and local solutions. IRC’s advocacy aims to secure funding and operational flexibilities, promote best practices, and address specific threats to the needs of the communities we serve.

Meet Sylvia, our Housing Support volunteer! She works with our housing team to help secure financial support for clients. As a daughter of immigrants, Sylvia recalls some challenges her parents faced as they built their lives in Clinton, a small town in New Jersey. "My parents came from Germany in the 1950s, and although they weren't refugees, I saw as a child what it was like for them to try to adapt to a new country," she shared. Learn more about Sylvia and her volunteer work.

Meet Sylvia, our Housing Support volunteer! She works with our housing team to help secure financial support for clients. As a daughter of immigrants, Sylvia recalls some challenges her parents faced as they built their lives in Clinton, a small town in New Jersey. "My parents came from Germany in the 1950s, and although they weren't refugees, I saw as a child what it was like for them to try to adapt to a new country," she shared. Learn more about Sylvia and her volunteer work.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is now offering live, online weekly classes available nationwide on a variety of topics focused on providing remote support to refugees and other immigrants during the pandemic and economic crisis. Visit this page for more information about class times and other resources.

Attacks on civilians and other violations of international humanitarian law reflect a growing trend in conflicts around the world.

The Lautenberg Program allows certain religious minorities from the Former Soviet Union to reunite with family members through the U.S Refugee Admissions Program. IRC in Seattle can help you file your application for free from now through September 23rd, 2022. You must be a Washington resident to receive assistance.

Nolasque Balitebya began working for the IRC as a Swahili interpreter in 2019 shortly after he and his family were resettled in Missoula by the IRC. His 'can-do' attitude and eagerness to support newly arriving refugee families stood out to all staff at the IRC, and he was promoted to Caseworker in 2021. Now, Nolasque has begun the next step in his IRC journey. In March, Nolasque began serving as a Roving Direct Services Program Manager for IRC's Reception and Placement (R&P) programs. We sat down with Nolasque to reflect on his journey with the IRC in Missoula and what he is looking forward to next.