What We Do
IRD provides cost-effective relief and development programs in seven core sectors.
Democracy, Governance & Community Development
IRD works predominantly in conflict zones, fragile states, and slowly maturing democracies where well-functioning democratic institutions have not been the norm. In such societies, citizens and communities may be unfamiliar with organizing or engaging with local government and authority figures. IRD's approach cuts across all sectors of our work: we mainstream citizen engagement in improving access to economic opportunities, health, education, infrastructure, and social resources and services.
Building on our experience in post-disaster relief, community mobilization, and civic empowerment, IRD provides client-focused stabilization, transition, and conflict mitigation services. We build the capacity of our local partners and civil society organizations to support the transition to peace and democracy, and we assist communities to mitigate the potential for ethnic, tribal, religious, gang, and other conflict. In all our work, IRD employs flexible management strategies adaptable to disparate environments, security challenges, and client needs.
Economic Growth
When relief efforts end, communities must be equipped to continue their recovery. Through economic development programs, IRD works to help generate business, train workers and create jobs that will sustain families and fuel growth through social loans, business loans, vocational training and employment.
Emergency Response
IRD Relief & Humanitarian Assistance teams are the first responders, arriving immediately after a natural or man-made disaster strikes to identify and respond to the most immediate needs, then continuing our support through the critical recovery and rehabilitation phases. Our creative and flexible approach allows us to respond rapidly to a multitude of emergencies. And because of our widespread operations, we understand the local cultural and political context, and our staff is positioned for quick response.
IRD partners with vulnerable communities to strengthen their food security, nutrition, and economic resiliency. Our programs operate under a wide range of conditions, but all aim to improve the productivity and efficiency of food production, processing, and marketing systems. When possible, our food and agriculture programs also integrate nutrition, public health, sanitation, and water infrastructure, generating enduring results for communities worldwide.
IRD delivers comprehensive programs that improve nutrition, prevent and manage diseases like HIV and malaria, promote sanitation and hygiene, and increase access to primary healthcare and family planning services. We mobilize resources and provide critical assistance that empowers communities to rebuild and sustain healthcare infrastructure and systems, save lives, and improve health for the long term. Our health team achieves these results by partnering with organizations already on the ground and ensuring that assistance is targeted to where it is most needed.
Rebuilding Infrastructure
IRD is one of only a few NGOs with the expertise and experience in engineering, construction, and project management to complete infrastructure projects on any scale. We partner with local communities and engineering and construction firms to construct and rehabilitate roads, water supply and sanitation networks, schools, healthcare facilities, and other community buildings. We also train local organizations in the construction trades, management and planning, quality assurance, and long-term maintenance.