The International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the worlds largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. IRC began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopias Somali Region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in the country, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), womens protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response mechanisms.