We are a 'think and do tank'. We're working with national and local governments, with NGOs and businesses, and with local communities to realise an ambitious vision: a world where no child or adult dies of causes related to water and sanitation. A world where everyone has access to safe and reliable WASH services, forever.

'IRC' comes from International Reference Centre for Community Water Supply, which was our name from the founding of the organisation in 1968 (by the World Health Organization and Dutch government) to mid-1980s, when it changed into IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre. Since 2014 we are known as IRC, no acronym, just our name in capital letters. Occasionally with the additional strapline: supporting water sanitation and hygiene services for life.