Working Together to Raise Awareness and Quickly Respond to Humanitarian Crises

Today, the need for urgent aid is continuing to expand.

An increase in natural disasters, conflict-related refugees and food insecurity worldwide are contributing to a humanitarian system that is dangerously underfunded. The United Nations’ Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that one out of every 70 people around the world is in need of humanitarian assistance. And the need surrounding disasters is lasting longer than in previous year, now averaging nine years.

This is why International Medical Corps has joined forces with seven other leading U.S.-based international relief organizations to form the Global Emergency Response Coalition, a lifesaving humanitarian alliance that mobilizes to help children and families affected by disasters. Originally created in April 2017 to broaden awareness of a hunger crisis affecting 20 million people across Africa and the Middle East, the Coalition will work to save lives by inspiring donors in the United States and quickly getting them involved when disasters strike.

The members of the Coalition—which also includes CARE, International Rescue Committee, Mercy Corps, Oxfam America, Plan International USA, Save the Children and World Vision—provide a wide range of humanitarian services, including emergency food delivery, medical care, child protection and support, water and sanitation, recovery, training and more.

When disaster strikes, the Coalition will immediately mobilize to help children and families in urgent need, working together to increase awareness, raise funds and increase the capacity of each organization to deliver emergency relief quickly and efficiently—saving lives and helping to rebuild communities. Donations made to support the appeals, which generally will last only several weeks, will be divided equally among the eight participating organizations, which will coordinate efforts to help people survive and recover from the disaster.