IRD programs help vulnerable households, displaced persons and refugees become self-sufficient by providing the necessary immediate and transitional assistance needed to start anew following war, natural disaster or political conflict. Beyond distributing food and critical supplies, IRD works with local and international humanitarian organizations to equip victims with the shelter and tools they need to gain independence.

	Emergency Response in South Sudan
	Basic infrastructure, relief, and democracy and governance promotion
	Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq
	Providing support for internally displaced persons across Iraq
	Flooding of the Zambezi River in Mozambique
	Providing emergency water and sanitation needs for flood-affected people
	Response to 2006 Jogjakarta, Indonesia Earthquake
	Providing emergency relief supplies to those affected by the Central Java earthquake
	Response to the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami
	Providing relief supplies, emergency livelihood generation, and water system rehabilitation to the Aceh provine
	Easing the Pain of Families in Colombia
	Helping families suffering from ongoing conflict

IRD began its 10 years of relief and development experience with an emergency program to support internally displaced populations in Georgia. Since then, the organization has taken on the challenge of working in some of the most complex and difficult places, often in the immediate aftermath of disasters. IRD has helped millions of people over the years with programs that respond to urgent needs with appropriate humanitarian assistance. IRD’s emergency activities include the provision of water and sanitation, shelter, food aid, health assistance, and essential commodity distribution.

Beginning in late 2006, heavy rains inundated much of the Zambezi River valley in Mozambique. In late February 2007, Cyclone Flavio compounded the problem with more rains and strong winds. In response, IRD led NGO efforts to provide emergency water and sanitation needs for flood-affected people. IRD constructed 500 latrines, established emergency water committees, and repaired or established water wells. IRD, Population Services International, and UNICEF trained 40 community health activists located in the resettlement centers and formed a traveling theater group to perform plays on a range of topics relating to water, sanitation, and hygiene. IRD also provided seeds for 4,000 farmers who had lost their crops, enabling them to start over and recover.

IRD continues to provide support to internally displaced persons across Iraq. To date, the Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq (HAI) program has implemented 370 projects and activities benefiting more than 2 million people. This has included the construction of wells, rehabilitation of health care centers, assistance in making arrangements for voluntary returnees, and training of regional administration and other partner NGOs on issues relating to international protection standards, reintegration, and human rights. HAI is a flexible program, accommodating the ever changing situation in the country as people move from place to place to escape regional violence.

On November 15, Cyclone Sidr struck a large area of southern Bangladesh, killing as many as 10,000 people and creating the worst disaster in the country since 1991. IRD was on the ground with an assessment team by November 18. In coordination with the United Nations, other agencies, and local organizations, IRD reached more than 50,000 families with the rehabilitation of water systems and shelters. This reduced the spread of water-borne diseases and saved countless lives.

The complex emergency in southeastern Chad, a spillover from conflicts both in Chad and neighboring Sudan, continues to disrupt thousands of lives. IRD’s programs have helped refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities better cope with the disruption, providing life-saving food aid, medical care, and agricultural supplies like seeds and tools.

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