The International Rescue Committee has committed to the development of the science and practice of humanitarian assistance by undertaking a variety of research and academic activities.  Over the past seven years, IRC’s health staff has published over 20 scientific papers, editorials, letters and abstracts in peer-reviewed journals. 

The IRC has also contributed significantly to the development of a new Gender Based Violence Tools Manual in collaboration with the Reproductive Health Response in Crisis (RHRC) Consortium.

The Health Unit conceptualized and initiated the development of two important new courses: HIV/AIDS for Humanitarian Workers (in collaboration with the RHRC) and Fundamentals of Program Management in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University and New York University.    

Nationwide Mortality Survey in the Democratic Republic of Congo

IRC’s mortality survey in the DRC have documented nearly 4 million war-related deaths in the country since 1998, the largest documented death toll in a conflict since World War II. The most recent survey conducted in 2004, in collaboration with the Burnet Centre in Australia, is believed to be the largest ever undertaken in a humanitarian setting.

Survey results indicated that over 3.9 million people have died as a result of the six-year conflict and have been crucial in training a spotlight on this emergency of horrific proportions. In large part due to the IRC’s survey, the crisis in the DRC is now recognized by the international community and described by the UN as "the biggest, most neglected humanitarian emergency in the world today.”

Post-Tsunami Rapid Health Assessment in Indonesia

IRC was one of the first and only international humanitarian organization to collect quality data following the December 2004 tsunami. IRC’s technical experts were available on the ground days after the disaster struck collecting data and ensuring that it was done correctly and quickly. In the hard-hit town of Calang, for example, a rapid assessment study demonstrated that over 85% of children had suffered from diarrhea, leading to the immediate prioritization of hygiene, water, and sanitation services.

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