The International Rescue Committee reported that over 19 million people in Myanmar are in desperate need of humanitarian aid amid a crisis fueled by a devastating earthquake and ongoing military bombings. This communication underscores the organization’s role in alerting the global community to the human suffering under an authoritarian regime.

The International Rescue Committee announced immediate cost-cutting measures including thousands of layoffs, furloughs, and cancellation of planned pay increases in response to a significant reduction in US government funding, as reported on February 19, 2025.

The International Rescue Committee announced significant cost‐cutting measures, including layoffs and furloughs affecting thousands of global staff, as US government aid freezes continue to strain its humanitarian operations.

A super-majority of workers at the IRC New York Office have announced their intent to unionize with OPEIU Local 153. This follows similar moves in other regional offices and aims to secure better pay, health benefits, and greater influence in decision-making amid increasing political pressures against workers’ rights.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), in collaboration with its in‐house research and innovation lab Airbel, is exploring applications of AI to enhance humanitarian programming. Initiatives include providing critical information to refugees through digital platforms, personalized education for crisis‐affected children, and climate-related early warning systems, all in partnership with organizations like Google.org.

Workers at the International Rescue Committee's New York office announced their intent to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153. The workers are calling on IRC leadership to voluntarily recognize the union, citing demands for better pay transparency, higher wages, enhanced benefits, and improved working conditions in response to increased workloads and a politically charged environment.

The International Rescue Committee is piloting a network of AI chatbots and digital tools in several countries to enhance its humanitarian outreach. The initiative includes robust safeguards such as data anonymization and local vetting to ensure that the tools benefit vulnerable populations without risking misuse of personal data.

The International Rescue Committee is testing AI-driven chatbots under its Signpost.AI project in countries including El Salvador, Kenya, Greece, and Italy to extend its humanitarian outreach. The initiative, which leverages large language models from major tech firms while incorporating strict data anonymization and human oversight, aims to efficiently connect displaced populations with critical information and services.

The IRC press release calls on the Trump administration to uphold America's humanitarian legacy and reject dehumanizing, anti-immigrant policies following Donald Trump's election victory. By emphasizing bipartisan commitment to care for vulnerable populations, the organization reinforces its anti-fascist stance.

On December 20, 2023, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) issued a statement responding to the EU Migration Pact. The organization warned that the Pact's provisions create significant risks for asylum seekers and could exacerbate hardships by promoting deterrence and exclusion. IRC urged EU leaders to implement reforms that prioritize humanitarian safeguards and adhere to international law, ensuring that migration and asylum systems truly protect vulnerable populations.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) warned on September 27, 2023, that cuts to humanitarian aid in the FY24 federal budget would have catastrophic global consequences. In its statement, the IRC urged Congress to maintain funding at FY2023 levels, highlighting the severe risks such as increased food insecurity, diminished child survival rates, and a weakened response to the climate crisis.

A supermajority of employees at the International Rescue Committee’s New York office have announced their intent to form a union with the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 153, underscoring a drive for enhanced labor rights and worker empowerment.

Workers at the IRC Resettlement Office in New York City achieved voluntary union recognition after a successful card check confirmed that over 50% of eligible employees supported forming a union with OPEIU Local 153. This move strengthens labor rights and bolsters worker representation in the organization.