In times of crisis, families don’t just need aid, they need the dignity and flexibility to meet their own most urgent needs. Yet millions of people affected by conflict, disaster, and displacement lack access to basic essentials like food, shelter, and healthcare.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is addressing this challenge through direst cash assistance. This is an innovative, evidence-based approach that provides direct cash assistance to people in crisis, empowering them to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.
Today:
• Over 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, many without reliable access to basic needs
• Traditional aid delivery can be slow, costly, and inflexible in rapidly changing crises
• Research shows that cash assistance is one of the most effective and efficient forms of aid
• Despite its proven impact, cash remains underutilized in humanitarian response
The IRC delivers proven, high-impact solutions where they are needed most. By leveraging digital payments, local markets, and community-based delivery systems, the IRC ensures that cash assistance reaches people quickly, safely, and at scale.
With support from donors like you, the IRC can:
• Provide direct cash assistance so families can purchase food, medicine, and other essentials
• Support local economies by enabling people to buy from nearby markets
• Deliver aid more efficiently, reducing overhead and maximizing impact
• Use data and technology to scale cash programming across crisis settings
• Expand access to flexible assistance that adapts to evolving needs
Cash assistance is not only faster, but also more dignified, giving people the power to prioritize what matters most for their survival and recovery. It also strengthens resilience, helping families rebuild and plan for the future.
The IRC is a global leader in cash programming, delivering assistance to millions of people each year. Through its Impact at Scale initiative, the organization aims to dramatically expand the reach of cash assistance to serve more people, more effectively, by 2030.
Your support helps put resources directly into the hands of those who need them most, ensuring families can survive today and build a better tomorrow.
