During the past two months, FT journalists have reported on the IRC’s work in several of the world’s most troubled regions, including Syria, South Sudan and west Africa, and its refugee resettlement programme in the US.
This year’s coverage included:
* Financial Times Bangkok regional correspondent Michael Peel reported that more than 100,000 refugees from Myanmar live in camps in Thailand.
* Erika Solomon investigated Syria’s stolen childhoods.
* FT’s world trade editor Shawn Donnan wrote about the innovative work IRC is doing to deliver aid.
FT deputy editor John Thornhill said: “The Financial Times would like to thank its readers once again for their extremely generous support of our seasonal appeal. As the FT’s editorial coverage has made clear, the IRC does extraordinary work addressing some of the most acute humanitarian crises of our times, especially in and around Syria.”
David Miliband, president and chief executive of the IRC, thanked FT readers for their generosity, saying the money raised would be spent on helping vulnerable people rebuild lives shattered by conflict and disaster. “With the ongoing fighting in Syria and Iraq, the havoc caused by the spread of Ebola in west Africa and the massive displacement of millions in South Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria and Pakistan, there has never been more need for the work of the International Rescue Committee.” The charity, founded by Albert Einstein in 1933, will also use the funds to increase investment in research and innovation to boost the impact of its programmes.
FT appeals have raised more than £16 million for charities since they begun in 2006, including World Child Cancer, Action Against Hunger, Camfed, Room to Read, Sightsavers, The Global Fund for Children and Wateraid. The annual appeal runs from November to January, raising money and increasing awareness of the charity through editorial coverage of its work. Charities are selected by staff vote, and FT readers and corporate partners are encouraged to donate.
