Private sector CEOs join David Miliband in calling for surge in solutions to meet unprecedented humanitarian need globally

This World Refugee Day, 120 million people have been forcibly displaced worldwide. The number of refugees has more than doubled in just the last 10 years. After fleeing their home countries to escape conflict, violence or persecution, refugees are forced to start over with little more than the clothes on their backs and have often experienced unthinkable levels of humanitarian suffering. Every day the news headlines serve as a wake-up call to address the needs of communities across the world facing the devastating impacts of conflict, crisis, and climate change. 

World Refugee Day is a poignant moment to remember all those affected by crises – but it is also an opportunity for the world to unite in finding new and groundbreaking solutions to the most complex challenges of our time. 

Across the globe, the International Rescue Committee and our private sector partners are co-creating solutions that change systems and transform lives. In the Middle East, our Ahlan Simsim program - the world’s largest early childhood intervention - has been a bright spot in an otherwise dark year. For people on the move, our innovative tech-enabled, community-led information service - Signpost - is providing IRC clients with timely, accurate and often live-saving information. Globally, our Movement Against Malnutrition is dedicated to ensuring that no child dies of hunger. To meet the scale of today’s humanitarian needs, bold commitments are needed from across sectors – and public-private sector partnership has never been more needed.

That’s why I’m proud to join CEOs from IRC’s private sector partners Cotopaxi, Chubb, Marriott International, Moderna, Novartis, Pfizer, Uber and Zendesk - to call on business leaders to invest in continued innovation and solutions in response to the global refugee crisis. 

The IRC and our partners share the same belief this World Refugee Day: that behind the 120 million people displaced, there are 120 million unique stories to be told. Even as we take in the enormous scale of displacement around the world, we find hope in the people. Given the scale of humanitarian suffering today, it is more important than ever to remember that behind every number is a story. 

The IRC and our partners call upon the private sector to demonstrate their commitment to humanitarian action and co-design solutions to some of the most complex challenges of our time. Here are just a few ways that companies and foundations can help those affected by crisis to rebuild their lives:

1. Innovate: By sharing expertise and industry best practices, support NGOs like the IRC to solve major challenges at scale and design innovative solutions that move beyond aid as usual. 
2. Hiring: Employees from refugee backgrounds bring a wealth of benefits – including occupational expertise, language skills and cultural knowledge. By hiring refugees, organizations have the opportunity to leverage these valuable backgrounds, all while supporting refugees to re-establish and grow their careers. 
3. Lend Your Voice: Today and every day, advocacy is needed on behalf of people affected by crisis to ensure they have what they need to survive, recover and rebuild their lives. By activating their networks and using their platforms, brands and leaders can unite in calling for welcome to creating meaningful change.
4. Funding: Providing flexible, long-term funding allows humanitarian organizations the space and time to experiment with what works and doesn’t work, engage local stakeholders, and share knowledge across the sector to create the greatest impact. 

Today and every day, the private sector can help catalyze lasting change and transform the lives of people affected by conflict and disaster as they rebuild their futures.  

David Miliband, President and CEO of the IRC 

Damien Huang, CEO of Cotopaxi

Evan G. Greenberg, Chairman and CEO of Chubb 

Anthony Capuano, President and CEO of Marriott International 

Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna

Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis 

Albert Bourla, Chairman and CEO of Pfizer

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber

Tom Eggemeier, CEO of Zendesk