http://www.theirc.org Since 1933, the IRC has provided hope and humanitarian aid to refugees and other victims of oppression and violent conflict around the world. International Rescue Committee webmaster@theIRC.org International Rescue Committee, 2007 Convio Content Management System Module en-us http://www.theirc.org/images/assets/irc_logo_73x100.gif http://www.theirc.org www.theirc.org-39461352 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/296797842/myanmar-clinging-to-survival.html (May 2008) While aid deliveries have increased to cyclone-ravaged communities, hundreds of thousands of survivors continue to languish—waiting in desperation for more food, water and medical care to arrive. As the International Rescue Committee’s Melissa Winkler reports, every day IRC teams have been delivering urgent relief supplies to people barely clinging to survival. (All photos taken by IRC staff and volunteers) No publication date available http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/myanmar-clinging-to-survival.html www.theirc.org-41580003 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/338396478/jo-offer-kenya.html Kenya hosts hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing from conflict and oppression in neighbouring countries. The refugees - and the communities they live alongside - are facing tough times with rising food prices, soaring fuel costs, and insecurity fears. Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/jo-offer-kenya.html www.theirc.org-39876666 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/306140403/afghans-in-pictures.html (May 2008) In April and May 2008 International Rescue Committee's senior policy adviser Anna Husarska went to Pakistan and Afghanistan to help highlight the plight of the Afghan refugees and returnees. Here is the story of the departure of Afghans from the largest remaining camp in Pakistan, the Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar as told in Anna's photos. Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/afghans-in-pictures.html www.theirc.org-38483141 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/280843658/nepal-faces-the-future.html (April 2008) An estimated 13,000 people were killed during the decade-long civil war between the government and the Maoists in Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world. A peace accord was signed in 2006 and recent elections, that will help determine Nepal’s future, were deemed largely fair by observers. But, for most people, life is a daily struggle in the Himalayan nation. Text and Photos: PETER BIRO Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/nepal-faces-the-future.html www.theirc.org-36253612 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/241706972/help-and-hope-for-iraqi.html Among the more than four million people uprooted by the crisis in Iraq are hundreds of thousands of desperate children who have lost homes, relatives, friends, and all else that was once safe and familiar. Children in Iraq live in a state of constant fear and the daily violence keeps many from going to school and doing other normal activities. For those who have fled across borders, there are other challenges, including limited chances to resume education. Wherever they are, the violence and displacement has left deep scars. The IRC’s Melissa Winkler was recently in Jordan where many Iraqis have sought refuge. She reports on the situation for shell-shocked children who settled there and the IRC’s efforts to deliver help and hope. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/help-and-hope-for-iraqi.html www.theirc.org-35109715 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/200441631/responding-to-an-outbreak-of.html (December 2007) September 2007 saw an outbreak of the lethal Ebola virus in the southern province of Kasai Occidental in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Ebola virus, spread through contact with infected people, often proves fatal within two to three days and there is no vaccine or treatment for the disease. Within days of the outbreak, IRC teams were on the ground, providing logistical support and much-needed supplies to the Congolese ministry of health, as well as training health staff and communities in areas bordering the outbreak zone. The IRC’s provincial coordinator in the Kasai capital Kananga, Fergus Thomas, led a team across the affected area, distributing supplies. Fri, 14 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0500 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/responding-to-an-outbreak-of.html www.theirc.org-34272656 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/164846284/in-somalia-they-die-of.html (October 2007) In July 2007 a two-person team from the International Rescue Committee – country director Bruce Hickling and senior policy adviser Anna Husarska – went to Somalia to carry out an assessment of humanitarian needs in the north of the country. Here is the story of the most urgent needs that we encountered as told in Anna’s photos. They can be summarized in just one word: Water. Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/in-somalia-they-die-of.html www.theirc.org-33900765 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/149332941/soccer-without-borders.html (August 2007) Forty refugee kids from around the world gathered at a field in Oakland, California, this month for six days of soccer drills, exercise and tournament-style games. The soccer camp was organized by the IRC and Soccer Without Borders. Though only a week long, the camp managed to build a community where students of different national, religious and ethnic groups could come together and forge friendships. As Eugenia, a nine-year old refugee from Liberia said, “I want to give a shout out to all of us for showing up and playing our hardest and making new friends.” Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/soccer-without-borders.html www.theirc.org-33888254 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/148879533/back-to-school-for-darfur.html (August 2007)As the Darfur crisis enters its fifth year, more than two million people remain uprooted, including hundreds of thousands of school age children. In Darfur and neighboring Chad, the International Rescue Committee offers programs that provide critical learning, healing and recreation for more than 30,000 young people who have been forced to flee their villages. At one refugee camp managed by the IRC in northeastern Chad, children are eager to begin their new school term. The IRC’s Melissa Winkler recently spent time with students and teachers at the camp and shared these images. Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/back-to-school-for-darfur.html www.theirc.org-33036938 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/IRCPhotoEssay/~3/125163229/refugee-student-photos.html (June 2007) Four refugee students resettled by the International rescue Committee in Oakland, California, have been recognized by the National Geographic Society for photographs taken as part of a national World Refugee Day photo contest. Refugee students in grades 4 to 12 from all over the U.S. took part in the contest sponsored by UNHCR and its goodwill ambassador Angelina Jolie. Fri, 15 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0400 http://www.theirc.org/resources/essays/refugee-student-photos.html