- Wise commits £500,000 to the IRC’s Crisis Response Fund that supports responses to breaking emergencies
- The shared commitment to transparency and measurable impact, highlights a strong alignment in both mission and culture
- The IRC reached 34.5 million people in 2023 in countries affected by humanitarian crises
New York, NY, May 21, 2025 — The International Rescue Committee (IRC), the global humanitarian NGO that reached over 34.5 million people in 2023, has announced today its new partnership with Wise, the global financial technology firm, to support humanitarian efforts worldwide.
Bob Kitchen, Vice President for Emergencies at the IRC, said:
“The Crisis Response Fund enables the IRC with resources to respond to the diverse and most urgent needs that families encounter when facing new emergencies. The collaboration we’re announcing today with Wise supports our ability to respond quickly and effectively in emergencies. In the face of a shifting global aid landscape, we call on the private sector to continue meeting the moment and supporting the humanitarian sector to help people affected by crises survive, recover and rebuild their lives.”
Caroline Corbett-Thompson, Global Sustainability and Social Impact Manager at Wise, said:
“Our work with IRC marks a new chapter in how we approach social impact at Wise. As a global company with a growing footprint—both in terms of people and our product— we wanted to partner with an organisation that operates globally. The IRC stood out for its data-driven approach to innovation, speed in crisis response and for sharing in our ambition for meaningful impact. We’re looking forward to shaping this together, including how we engage our teams in the work ahead.”
In 2024, through the Crisis Response Fund, the IRC delivered aid across 12 countries, including crises identified in the 2025 Emergency Watchlist. Among these were:
- Myanmar – Even before the March 2025 earthquake, 35% of the population needed aid due to escalating internal conflict. CRF support has helped the IRC deliver primary medical care services through mobile and fixed clinics; inpatient secondary healthcare at local partner hospitals; and providing an emergency referral system for patients to support life threatening cases.
- Ecuador – Climate change is unleashing damage and destruction across the globe. In fragile contexts like Ecuador, this is making already dire situations worse, contributing to higher levels of displacement, food insecurity and poverty. The CRF allowed the IRC to respond to devastations caused by heavy rains in northwest Ecuador, delivering health care, safety and education services.
- Nigeria – The most populous country in Africa has endured decades of armed conflict, economic crisis and climate-related disasters. CRF funding supported IRC efforts to assist in the response to fires in the Borno State during 2024, providing health care and economic well-being services.
Every year, innocent civilians continue to see their lives upended by armed conflicts, climate shocks such as floods and droughts, and economic turmoil—consequences of both new emergencies that require urgent attention and long-standing, neglected crises that continue to deteriorate living conditions. With over 300 million people around the world in need of humanitarian aid in 2024, and 120 million being forcibly displaced, this collaboration gives the IRC and Wise the space to shape impact jointly beyond financial support.
