DEC to welcome International Rescue Committee UK as newest member

The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) announces today that International Rescue Committee (IRC) UK will become the organisation’s newest member. 

When large-scale disasters hit countries without the capacity to respond, the DEC brings together leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently. During DEC appeals these charities work together, collectively raising money to respond to humanitarian crises and ensuring that emergency relief reaches the people that need it most. 

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. IRC has been at the forefront of emergency responses to the world's worst humanitarian crises and works in over 40 countries around the world. 

Melanie Ward, UK Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee said: “It is an honour for IRC UK to become a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee. This comes at a critical time when the devastating combination of conflict, economic turmoil caused by Covid, and climate change is seeing an increase in humanitarian needs globally, and a record number of displaced people. We are looking forward to working together on protecting and rebuilding lives through effective humanitarian response. Coming together with the incredible organisations that are members of DEC will make our shared humanitarian efforts stronger and our impact greater.” 

DEC Chair Sue Inglish said: “We’re delighted to welcome International Rescue Committee UK as our newest member charity. IRC UK will enhance our collective expertise in responding to refugee and displacement crises, and their work supporting people affected by conflict will be a great asset to the DEC. IRC works in many of the toughest and most fragile places in the world and will help DEC appeals reach even more people in need, while also helping mobilise the generosity of the British public and raise funds in response to the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.” 

ENDS 

Notes to editors      

Media enquiries, please contact Barney Guiton on bguiton@dec.org.uk and 07530 871 386.   

About the DEC: When large-scale disasters hit countries without the capacity to respond, the DEC brings together leading UK aid charities to raise funds quickly and efficiently. In these times of crisis, people in life-and-death situations need our help and our mission is to save, protect and rebuild lives through effective humanitarian response.       

The DEC’s 14 existing member charities are: Action Against Hunger, ActionAid UK, Age International, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide UK, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Oxfam GB, Plan International UK, Save the Children UK, Tearfund and World Vision UK.