​While the plight of war refugees is in the news, and deservedly so, the struggle of refugee families from Eritrea is not often in the headlines.  Located in Northern Africa, Eritrea is led by an oppressive regime, with few rights for its people.  Thousands flee each month in search of survival and a better life. Over the last seven years, the International Rescue Committee in Silver Spring has resettled hundreds of Eritrean refugees. Because Eritrean refugees are at risk if they are identified, the subject of our story – who we will call “H” – did not want to be named. This is her story.

Students from Wichita East High School and Manhattan Middle School in Manhattan, Kansas hosted donation drives for hygiene items to be given to refugees resettling in Wichita.

Community Sponsorship offers an exciting opportunity for a group of community members to support resettlement efforts and to engage in deeply impactful work with one of our family cases. Following the higher volume of arrivals experienced recently and an increase in community attention toward assisting refugees, IRC in San Jose is seeking volunteer groups who are interested in becoming Co-Sponsors.

Sahib writes about celebrating Ramadan in the United Kingdom for the first after fleeing Afghanistan with his wife and their two daughters.

As part of our staff spotlight series, we'd like to introduce you to our newest Reception and Placement caseworker, Ellie Mercado!

Each year over half of the refugees resettled by the IRC in San Diego are children; in 2022 18% of new arrivals were under 18 years old. Having reached the US, their futures are brighter than the uncertainty, conflict and violence they left behind but as they enter the American education system, refugee youth face a unique set of barriers to academic success.

Each year, tens of thousands of refugees fleeing violence and persecution resettle in the United States, including the Bay Area. Resettlement means a fresh start and opportunity, especially for adolescent girls whose futures had been limited by a lack of access to education and opportunities and restrictive ideas about  women. Here. these girls have the chance to improve themselves, their families, and their communities. The Vision Project aims to empower refugee girls and change perceptions within their communities by providing girls with the skills and support they need to envision a positive future, and ultimately achieve their goals. The project runs three week-long workshops each year with resettled refugee girls, and each week culminates in a personal photoshoot for each girl where they embody their future selves. 

Community members are invited to pick a gift tag from one of the IRC's Giving Wreaths at any local Starbucks location in Wichita or Derby. Items will be given to refugees who have been resettled in Wichita or for those who may arrive in 2018.

IRC in Garden City collected hygiene and household goods that were given tor refugees resettling in Garden City.