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IRUSA Interns Reflect on World Refugee Day
Rohingya at Risk: Washington’s Call to Action By: Tasia Matthews This World Refugee Day, Senators Chris Coons (D-Delaware) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), both chairpersons on the Senate Human Rights Caucus, hosted a briefing in the Russell Senate Office Building titled “Rohingya at Risk.” As the name suggests, the briefing served to both raise awareness of the facts and intricacies of the Rohingya refugee crisis, as well as a call to action. In addition to Coons, opening remarks were made by Eric Schwartz, president of Refugees International; Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), and a panel of three women – Joan Timoney, Jana Mason, and Francisca Viguad-Walsh, senior representatives from the Women’s…
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Jolie, Kerry Shine Spotlight on Humanity on World Refugee Day
Secretary of State John Kerry and movie star and humanitarian Angelina Jolie visit a Virginia mosque on World Refugee Day. When Linda immigrated to the United States from Kosovo as a refugee in the 1990s, her family was treated almost like celebrities. People were excited to meet them. Neighbors brought them gifts. If she managed to gain entrance today, she would have had a very different reception — likely one full of fear and hate. Actress Angelina Jolie and Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed 50 Syrian refugees at the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) in Virginia Monday to recognize World Refugee Day. They sought to bring attention to…
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Remembering Refugees: A Voice from Syria
Last year, 845,000 refugees made a treacherous journey across the Mediterranean Sea in hopes of reaching Europe. Over 3,500 men, women and children died. On World Refugee Day, we remember their losses, we commemorate their strength, and we do what is in our power to help. On the halfway mark of the blessed month of Ramadan, you can give charity to help refugees who were forced to flee their homes. Ali’s Story They say, ‘Why do Syrians leave their country and migrate?’ But we had no choice but to leave. In Syria, there was no electricity, no water, no food. We were living a difficult life, worse than you can even imagine. We were on a boat heading…
