In the fall of 1979, hundreds of thousands of Cambodian refugees poured across the border into Thailand. Fleeing genocide, devastated by starvation and disease, many were dying upon arrival.

Within a few months, the fledgling American Refugee Committee had rushed a team of 15 volunteer doctors and nurses to the border. They treated hundreds of refugees each day. But they knew they couldn’t stay forever. So they trained the Cambodians to be medics.

In six short months, hundreds of Cambodian ARC staff members were operating medical programs in five refugee camps.

30 years later, the American Refugee Committee still works in some of the most dangerous places on earth. And we’ve kept our commitment to community participation and sustainability.

Since our early days in Thailand, ARC has worked in 25 countries in Africa and Asia (shown on the map below). ARC currently operates in Darfur, Liberia, Pakistan, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, southern Sudan, Thailand, and Uganda. 95 percent of our employees are local staff.

Whether it’s health care, small loans, gender-based violence prevention, clean water, sanitation, or education — ARC helps communities get what they need.

30 years ago, the ingenuity and dedication of just a few people started a global force for change. The American Refugee Committee now helps 2.5 million people each year take back control of their lives. We invite you to help shape the future of this movement.