The Financial Times 2014/15 seasonal appeal has raised more than £2m for International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global charity that saves and rebuilds lives in the wake of conflict and disaster.

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:

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 CancerAction Against HungerCamfedRoom to ReadSightsaversThe 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.

Read the FT’s full seasonal appeal coverage, including John Thornhill’s interview with David Miliband, here.

For more information on International Rescue Committee visit www.rescue-uk.org. Charities interested in applying for the 2015-2016 seasonal appeal can find further information here.

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UK/EMEA:

Emily Gibbs
Head of Internal Communications, Financial Times
T: +44 (0) 207 873 3184
E: emily.gibbs@ft.com

About the Financial Times:

The Financial Times, one of the world’s leading business news organisations, is recognised internationally for its authority, integrity and accuracy. Providing essential news, comment, data and analysis for the global business community, the FT has a combined paid print and digital circulation of over 700,000. Mobile is an increasingly important channel for the FT, driving almost half of total traffic and 20 per cent of digital subscriptions. FT education products now serve two thirds of the world’s top 50 business schools.

About the International Rescue Committee:

A global leader in humanitarian assistance, the International Rescue Committee works in more than 30 countries offering help and hope to refugees and others impacted by violent conflict and disaster. During crises, IRC teams provide health care, shelter, clean water, sanitation, learning programmes for children and special aid for women. As emergencies subside, the IRC stays to revive livelihoods and help shattered communities recover and rebuild. A tireless advocate for the most vulnerable, the IRC is committed to restoring hope, dignity and opportunity.

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