Providing timely and appropriate response is imperative for effective development assistance and in highly fluid environments such as disasters and post conflict, fast action and experience can be especially critical. IRG is known for its ability to rapidly mobilize renowned technical experts to address the range of development and emergency needs in such situations. Using our specialized recruiting systems, we are able to quickly supply individual technical consultants or entire teams to meet staffing challenges in both stable and highly volatile contexts. These experts have a wide range of experience working with military, civilian, and non-governmental organizations; international agencies; and national and local governments.  They are skilled at quickly adapting approaches to meet the specific needs of each context.

Capabilities:

• Far Reaching Depth and Breadth of Technical Assistance and Sector Specialists
• Rapid Mobilization and Deployment
• Swift Capacity to Stand Up Teams and Scale Up Programs
• Post-Conflict and Disaster Specialists on 24 Hour Standby

Select projects include:

Providing Immediate Relief and Experienced Personnel
The Disaster Assistance and Disaster Relief Assistance programs provide support services to USAID/OFDA for immediate short-term disaster relief assistance in the areas of water, sanitation, health and nutrition; and food and non-food in response to international emergency requirements. Under this IQC, IRG has mobilized consultants to act on USAID Disaster Assistance Response Teams throughout the world - often within 48 hours of a request. IRG has provided the range of assistance including vulnerability analyses, damage and needs assessments, aid planning, repair assistance and material support, temporary shelter and camp construction/management, housing education, training, and national policy development. IRG is the prime contractor. Disaster Assistance IQC & Disaster Relief Assistance IQC

Coordinating National and Local Level Experts for Emergency Response
IRG provided support, coordination, logistics, and technical assistance to USAID, India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and other partners to address both natural and human-caused emergencies. Because India is a vast and diverse nation with communities that have various degrees of capability in disaster response and management, IRG coordinated activities from a national perspective while simultaneously working closely with individual states to address their specific needs and objectives, such as responses to forest fires, earthquakes, and cyclones. IRG also helped the MHA execute its larger vision for the country while coordinating with individual states, US government agencies, and internal and international programs. India: India Disaster Management Support Project

Supporting and Managing Rehabilitation Efforts
IRG supported USAID in the overall planning, monitoring, coordination, and reporting on reconstruction and rehabilitation activities across a variety of sectors including education, health, agriculture, civil society strengthening, and infrastructure.Iraq: Implementation of Emergency Relief and Short-Term Rehabilitation Response

Providing Training and Capacity Building to Support Risk Management
Working with regional experts in course development and delivery, instructor training, and workshop implementation, IRG has trained over 50,000 individuals in risk management since 1998 under the USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Regional Disaster Assistance Program. This includes more than 5,000 local instructors equipped to replicate OFDA methodologies. IRG has developed a core skills training suite consisting of 34 courses spanning five thematic areas – risk management, first response, prevention and control of forest fires, school/university safety, and skill-building for instructors, curriculum developers, and facilitators. In addition to face-to-face training, IRG is experienced in developing alternative learning (such as e-learning) methodologies. IRG has also worked with 26 universities in 14 LAC countries to advance risk reduction and mitigation by introducing OFDA training materials and strategies into university curricula and professional communities. Regionwide: Technical and Administrative Support to Latin America and the Caribbean