IRC learning facilitator Fatima teaches out of school children in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, as part of IRC's education in emergencies programming.
IRC learning facilitator Fatima teaches out of school children in Maiduguri, northeast Nigeria, as part of IRC's education in emergencies programming.
Abdul Baqi, 30, working on his farm in Badghis, Afghanistan. Abdul has been assisted by IRC cash relief.
Abdul Baqi, 30, working on his farm in Badghis, Afghanistan. Abdul has been assisted by IRC cash relief.
The mobile clinic team arrival to a modern tent in Al-Dhale'e, southern Yemen, in order to check on a 9-month old's health condition.
The mobile clinic team arrival to a modern tent in Al-Dhale'e, southern Yemen, in order to check on a 9-month old's health condition.
Lead mother and entrepreneur Hauwa Mustapha, 30, interacts with other women during mother-to-mother support session within their community at Sulubri, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria.
Lead mother and entrepreneur Hauwa Mustapha, 30, interacts with other women during mother-to-mother support session within their community at Sulubri, Maiduguri, Borno, Nigeria.

Research and Innovation at the International Rescue Committee

We design, test and scale life-changing products and services to solve the challenges people face in crisis-affected communities

Anan was displaced as a result of severe flooding in South Sudan and her son recovered from malnutrition through Airbel's simplified combined approach protocol treatment.
Anan was displaced as a result of severe flooding in South Sudan and her son recovered from malnutrition through Airbel's simplified combined approach protocol treatment.

What is the Airbel Impact Lab?

Around the world, there are more people than ever in need of humanitarian assistance. We need new ways of thinking and working in order to reach them.

At the Airbel Impact Lab, we combine fresh new ideas with the IRC’s decades of experience. Creativity meets rigor. Deep expertise guides openness and excitement.

Though we represent only 3% of the humanitarian sector's budget, we are responsible for 1/3 of impact evaluations in the sector.

What We Do

ClimateClimate

We are building the resilience of agro-pastoral livelihoods for and with people in the most fragile and climate vulnerable areas by co-creating breakthrough and people-centric solutions, generating evidence on what works, and advocating to the global community to join in the effort.

Learn more about our focus areas See projects in this area
EducationEducation

We developed a suite of low-cost, personalized education programs accessible through an AI-driven chatbot platform called aprendIA. These programs deliver dynamic content directly to mobile devices, providing a source of out-of-school learning during acute crises and supplementing in-school learning during protracted crises

Learn more about our focus areas See projects in this area
MalnutritionMalnutrition

We are working to provide effective treatment to all 18 million malnourished children in humanitarian and fragile contexts with an evidence-driven, cheaper, more scalable strategy to end child deaths from malnutrition.

Learn more about our focus areas See projects in this area
Women-Centered HealthWomen-Centered Health

We are leading the humanitarian sector in rethinking how we can reach more women and girls in crisis settings with simple, cost-effective, proven solutions for self-managed abortion, contraception, and maternal and newborn care.

Learn more about our focus areas See projects in this area

Our Impact

Our combined protocol for treating malnutrition has more than a 90% success rate in helping children recover from malnourishment, while being less  expensive and scalable than current approaches.

Airbel has started or completed nearly 30 research and innovation projects in over 30 countries, and has designed and tested 20 new solutions, estimated to reach 27 million people in the next 5 years.

Through Airbel’s research and innovation work, the IRC is the largest contributor of impact evidence in humanitarian settings, with 285 research studies published.

Where we work

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Latest Updates

Global•Ongoing

Dioptra

A multi-agency tool to simplify cost analysis and improve value for money of humanitarian and development interventions.

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Nigeria•Ongoing

Impacts of anticipatory cash to small-holder farmers and livestock owners in Northeast Nigeria

The overall positive impacts of anticipatory cash to small-holder farmers and livestock owners in Northeast Nigeria in advance of forecasted climatic shocks.

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Jordan•Ongoing

InforMH

Using behavioral science and human-centered design to bridge the information and behavioral gaps that prevent people from seeking mental health and psychosocial support.

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Our Supporters

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Citi Foundation
Elma relief foundation
Intel
Open Society Foundations
Start Network
Deutsche Zusammenarbeit
Giz
Netherlands
Ukaid
CIFF
Unilever
Packard
Immigration Policy Lab
Vox media
World Vision

For more on our supporters and partners, click here.