"On World Refugee Day, 20 June, we honor the strength and resilience of the more than 50 million people around the world who have fled war, persecution and human rights abuses. Let us renew our commitment to end armed conflict, and to help the people who have been forced to flee their homes. Even one family without shelter is too many." ~ United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
World Refugee Day is observed every year on June 20th. This year holds particular significance as the Syrian migration to Europe has contributed to the largest movement of people since World War II. The UN Refugee Agency reports there are approximately 60 million displaced people - more than at any other time in recorded history. Of those approximately 60 million, 19.5 million are refugees: individuals who've crossed international borders to flee war and persecution in their home countries.
Refugees began settling in Arizona in 1978 under the Indo-Chinese Refugee Program, and since then, over 70,000 have called Arizona home. In the last year, Arizona took in just over 4,000 refugees, making it one of the nation's top refugee resettlement destination states. The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) is the single state agency responsible for handling the Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program (RRP). Charles Shipman, State Refugee Coordinator, oversees the program which is designated with the responsibility and authority of ensuring coordination of public and private resources for refugee resettlement in the State.
RRP's Refugee Health Services Manager, Asmeen Hamkar, oversees a wide variety of program areas in conjunction with contracted community agencies.
"The goal of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program is for refugees to become self-sufficient as soon as possible after arrival," said Hamkar. "Becoming self-sufficient in a new country is not easy. Refugees are very resilient, and with the support of RRP's contractors and the broader community, they are able to learn a new language, adapt to a new culture, get jobs, pay taxes and become U. S. citizens."
The process to get to the U.S. isn't quick or easy. After fleeing to a neighboring country, refugees often spend ten years or more in refugee camps before being referred for resettlement in a third country. Once they are identified for resettlement, it takes approximately two years to complete the vetting process, interviews and other paperwork required to be admitted to the U.S.
Most of the refugees resettling to Arizona in the past year have come from Iraq, Somalia, Burma, Cuba and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Many of the Congolese refugees are single mothers, like "Claudine," who went to one of RRP's contractors, International Rescue Committee in Tucson. Claudine had very limited English and five rambunctious children in tow, one of whom was a toddler. With the help of two interns who cared for her children on that first visit, Claudine was on her way to resettlement. Although she completed her cultural orientation, job readiness and language courses, her job prospects seemed daunting due to the language barrier. With perseverance, she was able to find a full-time job as a hotel housekeeper, and managed to coordinate her child care needs around her new job.
"Refugees come from very horrific experiences, and have already overcome many challenges before arriving in the U.S.," said Hamkar. "They have lost everything, and some of them have even lost family members. They come here to start their lives all over again, and become part of this community… to become Americans."
It is projected that approximately 5,000 refugees will make Arizona their home in the coming year. This week, various community organizations in Phoenix and Tucson will be holding events for World Refugee Day in celebration of the accomplishments and contributions of those refugees already here in Arizona.
In Phoenix, events will be held Friday evening at Refugee Focus on north Central, and at the Desoto Public Market, also on Central.
On Saturday, a celebration will be held at the Balsz Community Conference room on East Belleview in Phoenix, featuring comments from Asmeen Hamkar with DES and Phoenix Vice Mayor Kate Gallego.
In Tucson Saturday, a citizenship ceremony will be held at Catalina Magnet High School.
To learn more about the DES Arizona Refugee Resettlement Program, please visit our website