It was only one of several US based philanthropic organisations that emerged following World War I with a view to influencing the post-war settlement from their perspective of social justice, economic development and long term stability in Europe.
Following the burning of parts of Cork on 11 December 1920 by British forces (consisting of the Black and Tans and the Auxiliary Division) during the Irish War of Independence, the city's Lord Mayor, Donal O'Callaghan made approached to the American Red Cross for humanitarian assistance.
One of its founding members, Levi Hollingsworth Wood, approached a Dublin-based businessman and fellow Quaker, James Douglas, requesting his assistance in the local distribution of the funds on a non-partisan basis.
In Ireland, Douglas spoke with Laurence O'Neill, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, who in turn contacted senior members of Sinn Féin to inform them of the wishes of the American Committee.
In Belfast, where many Irish Catholics had been driven out of their homes by Protestant mobs, AMCOMRI purchased land near the Falls Road for 100 houses for refugees in what is named Acomri Street.