As many as 150,000 refugees have found refuge in Jordan since the start of the Syrian conflict 17 months ago, 75% of them women and children.  International Rescue Committee (IRC) vice president Michael Kocher recently testified before the US Congress about the unmet humanitarian needs of Syrians who have fled the escalating violence in their country. The following is an excerpt of his remarks:

Article by Sinziana Demian, Photography by Daniela Greco, Benedicte de la Taille, Sinziana Demian

SOUTH KIVU PROVINCE, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) - When Chantal attended the information meeting on village savings and loans associations (VSLA), she left incredulous. The facilitator had just told the women from her village that they if they formed a collective to save money and take out loans, they would receive their cash back, plus accumulated interest.

By Melissa Winkler

YIDA, South Sudan - The International Rescue Committee is launching emergency health and protection programs for vulnerable women and girls who have fled to South Sudan to escape flaring violence across the border in Sudan’s Nuba Mountain region.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Gina, Kristina and Roxanne live in Vallee de Bourdon, an impoverished neighborhood wedged into a steep valley just outside Port-au-Prince.  The many tents and shelters among its sprawl of concrete block homes are constant reminders of the massive earthquake that struck two years ago, turning Haitians’ lives upside down. 

2009 marks the 18th anniversary of the "16 days of Activism Against Gender Violence" campaign.

International Rescue Committee aid worker Virginie Tanou, who works in Cote d'Ivoire, discusses the effects of war on women and girls. In the wake of crisis and increased poverty, women are more vulnerable and at greater risk of physical and sexual violence.