IRC Showcases Impact of Humanitarian Programs in Pakistan

News Desk

Islamabad: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has emphasized the importance of community-led initiatives and strong partnerships in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations across Pakistan, highlighting its efforts to improve access to health, education, livelihoods, and protection services.

Speaking at the launch of the IRC’s 2021 annual report in Islamabad, stakeholders and community representatives stressed that sustained collaboration between humanitarian organizations, government institutions, and local communities is essential to tackling social challenges effectively.

IRC Country Director in Pakistan Shabnam Baloch said meaningful participation by local communities is central to the organization’s approach, enabling people to play an active role in shaping programs that directly affect their lives.

She said the IRC focuses on evidence-based initiatives aimed at empowering communities and reducing hardship while strengthening trust between service providers and beneficiaries.

According to the report, the IRC has been operating in Pakistan since 1980 and, during 2021, reached around 3.3 million people through programs implemented in partnership with government departments, donors, and local organizations.

The organization said its interventions covered healthcare, education, environmental health, livelihoods, and protection for displaced, underprivileged, and disaster-affected communities.

Officials also highlighted the IRC’s collaboration with the Medical Emergency Resilience Foundation (MERF), through which more than 142,000 people received services at COVID-19 isolation centers during the pandemic.

Community representatives attending the event shared how the organization’s programs had improved access to healthcare, vocational training, and community development initiatives, particularly for women and girls in underserved areas.

The IRC said it will continue aligning its humanitarian programs with Pakistan’s national priorities while expanding partnerships to strengthen community resilience across the country.