International Rescue Committee

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a not-for-profit organization based in the United States, with operations in over 40 countries. The IRC’s mission is to respond to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and help people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC has implemented Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) in Côte d’Ivoire since 2007 and is currently supporting 48 new associations with 1,224 members. Also since 2007, the IRC has rehabilitated and equipped 316 classes and is currently providing assistance to 167 schools. The entire program incorporates a range of donors, of which the World Bank is funding the school rehabilitation project (43% of the budget); Stichting Vluchteling supports the Healing Classrooms project (11% of the budget); and the EAC Initiative is responsible for the Save for School project (46% of the total budget).

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) believes that all people, including children uprooted by conflict, have a right to a good education.  Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international non-governmental organization that responds to humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. It offers care and assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. The IRC has built expertise in working with local partners in the public and civil society sectors to deliver basic, life-saving social services to vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations and supports education programs for children, youth and adults in conflict-affected countries around the world.

IRC’s education programs operate with the understanding that education plays a fundamental role in reducing the effects of war-trauma, providing young people with stability and structure during and after emergencies, and helping them develop to their full potential. Currently, IRC’s education work reaches millions of children living in crisis and post-crises zones in 23 countries.

EAC has partnered with IRC to provide out of school children affected by conflict in Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with opportunities to complete a full course of basic education.  In Côte d’Ivoire the partnership is working through the Save for Schools project to remove the financial barriers to education for over 8,000 out of school children. Through scholarships and accelerated learning programs the partnership will ensure that over 47,700 out of school children in the DRC complete a quality basic education.

For more information about this EAC implementing partner, please visit the International Rescue Committee website.