Two months ago, sisters Marta* and Oksana* were living peaceful lives in the same Ukrainian town where they were born, married and spent their entire lives. They spoke to the IRC about how they made sudden and difficult decision to abandon everything they’ve ever known, and to seek safety with their children.

President Trump’s recent Executive Order did not solve the family separation crisis. IRC humanitarian programs in some of the poorest places in the world tell us five things children and families need to survive and thrive that should be in place at the southern border.

Mahsa, a young, bright, and promising student, had recently completed her high school education in Afghanistan and was eagerly pursuing her academic aspirations at a public university. During the Utah legislative session, she used her voice and her story to help pass a bill that enabled refugees to obtain in-state tuition rates at Utah universities.

The only Afghan grocery store in Georgia, Baseer’s Kabul Market has been an invaluable resource for the community as we welcome families who were recently evacuated from Afghanistan by the US. Since mid-October, the IRC in Atlanta has purchased more than 100 hot welcome meals from Kabul Market along with countless loaves of traditional Afghan bread!