International Rescue Committee [to 7 June 2014]

Press Releases
06 Jun 2014
Delivering Aid “increasingly dangerous” in Central African Republic
Militias disrupting aid, “hurting their own communities,” says IRC’s president, David Miliband
Delivering aid in Central African Republic has become increasingly dangerous due to escalating violence, the International Rescue Committee said today. Armed groups are attacking civilians with impunity, and even aid workers have become targets, with aid agencies forced to cut back services.
“Tens of thousands of displaced people are not receiving the lifesaving care they need,” said Maggie Fleming, the IRC’s Country Director in Central African Republic. “As a result of the violence in Bangui last week, we have had to suspend our programs for seven of the last 10 days in the city. Many locations providing sanctuary have been attacked. The security situation is extremely fluid and while our teams continue to try and reach the people in need, carrying out our activities in this kind of environment is becoming increasingly dangerous.”
“Across the country the situation is just as bad and aid agencies are being seen as targets,” Fleming continued. “The IRC’s field office in Kaga Bandoro in the north of the country was robbed three times in the last six weeks.”
Earlier this week aid workers from a sister agency were stopped at a checkpoint outside the town of Bocaranga and their lives were threatened. In late April, aid workers were killed.
“What is most appalling is that by attacking aid workers these militias are hurting their own communities,” said the IRC’s president, David Miliband. “We can’t assist if we can’t travel and work safely. What these groups are doing is not only against international law that protects humanitarians but is incredibly self-destructive. Those involved in the conflict in the Central African Republic must let us do our work unhindered.”…

A Tipping Point for Women and Girls in Humanitarian Settings?
Posted by Heidi Lehmann on June 4th, 2014
Our programs at the IRC bear witness to the brutality women and girls face every day. The expression of commitment to ending this brutality is important. But the question is: Will 2014 be a tipping point for the international community to move from talk to action? more »

Central African Republic: “My dream is that the fighting will stop”
Posted by The IRC on June 6, 2014
“I don’t feel safe here and I’m afraid a lot,” says 15-year-old Melissa. She was interviewed by the IRC’s Peter Biro at one of the camps in the capital city, Bangui, where families uprooted by sectarian violence have sought shelter.

IRC, Sierra Leone health officials work together to halt spread of deadly Ebola virus
Posted by The IRC on June 6, 2014
The IRC, working closely with the Sierra Leone ministry of health and sanitation, has launched emergency interventions to prevent further spread of deadly Ebola across the country.

On World Environment Day, words from Albert Einstein
Posted by The IRC on June 5, 2014
On World Environment Day 2014, food for thought from Albert Einstein.

Burmese refugees healing from fire tragedy [Photos]
Posted by The IRC on June 4, 2014
When fire engulfed the Ban Mae Surin camp in northwestern Thailand last year, Sha Nay Htoo, 13, was badly burnt as he was trying to save other refugees trapped by the flames. See how Sha Nay and his neighbors are recovering from the tragedy

Enduring violence: updates from Central African Republic
Posted by The IRC on June 4, 2014
Ongoing instability across the Central African Republic has uprooted at least a million people. The IRC has remained in the country throughout the current crisis to provide lifesaving assistance. Get aid worker updates. |

New Roots: Refugee farmers bring their expertise to U.S. tables
Posted by Danielle Silber on June 3, 2014
With generous support from the Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, the IRC launched a MicroProducer Academy in 2013 to enable refugee farmers to adapt their existing skills to the U.S. agricultural landscape and marketplace.

Inside the Syrian crisis: Cash assistance in Jordan [Video]
Posted by The IRC on June 2, 2014
In Mafraq, a northern Jordanian town near the Syrian border, Anaam and her husband Raed live with their three young children in an empty store. To help cover the costs of living, the IRC provides Anaam and other Syrian refugee women with assistance in the form of cash, which they access with special ATM bankcards.

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • Jun 6
JUST IN: IRC,#SierraLeone health officials work together to halt spread of deadly #Ebola virus http://bit.ly/1oAbdlH

Intl Rescue Comm IRC @theIRC • Jun 4
It’s Int’l Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression. Learn about safe spaces for learning for Palestinian kids: http://bit.ly/1hTRYTj