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mardi 20 juin 2017

How to Support Refugees, With Your Wallet or Your Time

With an executive order, President Donald Trump has instated a travel ban that would keep refugees from Muslim countries out of the United States for 120 days and indefinitely ban Syrian refugees. Although the humanitarian crisis in Syria has drawn focus these past weeks, the United States welcomes refugees from all over the world year round. Given the Trump administration's hostility toward refugees, it is more important than ever to show support for these stranded people. Here are some ways you can help them today, both worldwide and in the United States.

Donate

There are many nonprofit humanitarian associations that help refugees abroad and in the United States.

Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) is a coalition of 24 nongovernmental organizations that are committed to helping refugees in the United States. These organizations include Amnesty International, the Center For Victims of Torture, and World Relief. As the New York Times explains, RCUSA redistributes donations to ensure the money goes where it is most needed at a given time.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) provides assistance to people affected by humanitarian crises worldwide. Its website gives you the option to start a fundraiser for a specific cause or to donate to an existing fundraising campaign.
Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) works to help refugees from all cultures and religions all over the world, including the United States, where it helps provide shelter and work for new arrivals. IRUSA, too, allows people to start a fundraiser or contribute to an existing one.
The United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees (UNHCR) is accepting donations to help refugees worldwide by providing people with emergency rescue kits, basic health care, and education.
Oxfam America is currently accepting donations specifically in response to the global refugee crisis by tending to migrants' most urgent needs, such as shelter, hygiene, and clean water.
The Urban Justice Center's International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) provides legal assistance and representation to refugees. This service is particularly crucial in the current American climate, where refugees' rights are being threatened.
On a more grassroots level, the website HumanWire compiles databases of vetted refugees and helps put them in contact with people interested in starting a fundraising campaign, allowing any money raised to go directly to the refugee in question.

Volunteer

When asked what the IRC needed most urgently at the moment, a spokesperson told POPSUGAR, "Given the unprecedented number of humanitarian crises, whether it's the famine in East Africa or the effects of the executive order here at home, I would say monetary donations rank highest in terms of addressing the IRC's most pressing needs."

However, if donating money or supplies isn't the best option for you, or you would prefer to get involved in a more direct way, several of the same associations that accept donations are also usually in need of local volunteers.

"The International Rescue Committee would not be able to do our lifesaving work without the generosity of our supporters," the IRC spokesperson told POPSUGAR. "Beyond making a donation, Americans can apply to be a volunteer in one of our 28 US offices, start their own fundraising campaign, or simply spread the truth about refugees on social media."

Indeed, local IRC chapters offer people the opportunity to mentor newly arrived refugees and help them settle in, adapt, and find employment. Oxfam has an extensive network of volunteer activities, from concerts and events to student associations. IRAP's website advertises various volunteer positions for tasks pertaining to legal counsel, administration, and translation, among others.

"We are still very much looking for donations, since we hope to be able to provide our services to more refugees," a spokesperson for IRAP told POPSUGAR. "But we are also looking to increase our grassroots network and encourage everyone to sign up for our timely action alerts." These action alerts allow citizens to stay informed about new developments involving refugee policy and events.

Additionally, RCUSA has linked to this useful list of local refugee processing centers, organized by state. Sometimes the best thing you can do is just show up to provide a welcoming social environment for newly arrived refugees.

"Organize welcome committees, offer to show refugees around, and show them vital institutions such as markets, hospitals, libraries, community centers, parks, and administrative offices," said Jihad Saleh Williams, government and public affairs manager at IRUSA. "Many refugees who come here lack the ability to speak English, so people could offer English lessons or translation services. Also, many refugees who come here are families with children, so having child-friendly activities and child care services help them in transitioning to their new environment."

Voice Your Support Publicly

Another key way to help refugees is to support them publicly. While sharing articles on social media helps keep refugee crises in the spotlight, it's even more important to make elected public officials aware of your position.

"The best thing you can do to support refugees is to tell your members of Congress that you do," the IRAP spokesperson said. "Call them, write to them, go to their town halls during recess, and tell your community to do the same! Your representatives need to hear from you that you support refugees in order to include it on their agenda."

Unsure where to start? Oxfam's website helps you send a letter to the White House to let the president know you support allowing Syrian refugees into the country.

mardi 20 juin 2017