Refugee Council USA Policy Recommendations

Published
by
BOConnell
on January 1, 2009
in news
. 0 Comments

The Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) released last month a briefing book on suggested policies for the Obama Administration. Though the RHP would not endorse all of these recommendations, it is worth checking out at: http://www.rcusa.org/index.php?page=briefing-book-obama-administration

It includes specific recommendations as well as background information. Common themes of the recommendations include strengthening fundamental American values, developing efficient and accountable systems, and strengthening our partnerships. They focus on the following challenges:
1. Humanitarian Funding and Priorities
2. Iraqi Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis
3. U.S. Refugee Program (USRP)
4. “Material Support” or Terrorism-Related Inadmissibility Bars for Refugees and Asylees
5. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR)
6. U.S. Asylum Seekers
7. Detention of Asylum Seekers and Other Vulnerable Persons in the U.S.

The RCUSA is a coalition of U.S. non-governmental organizations focused on refugee protection and does advocacy on issues affecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons (among others).

Iraqi Displacement - World Magazine Report

Published
by
tom
on December 16, 2008
in news
. 0 Comments

source: World Magazine

World Magazine released a special report, “Stalked” in its 11/29/2008 issue. The report takes an up close view of forcefully displaced Iraqis.

Click here to view the report now.

praises from Gulu (IDP camp)

Published
by
Simon
on November 11, 2008
in news
. 0 Comments

image from media clip

The following media clip was taken in 6/2008 while visiting an IDP camp outside of Gulu, Uganda, during a Refugee Highway Partnership visit to the region.

Click here to view the MPG video clip now. Clip size: 77 MB. High speed internet recommended.

Clip filmed by T. Albinson.

Intro to the Refugee Highway (swf)

Published
by
Simon
on November 11, 2008
in news
. 0 Comments

image from presentation

The latest version of the Introduction to the Refugee Highway presentation has been added to our Resource page.

The presentation has been shortened to 10 minutes.

The presentation is created and produced by International Teams Refugee Ministries.

New Book Recommendations

Published
by
sholdsambeck
on July 4, 2008
in Book Recommendations
. 0 Comments

At the recent roundtable in Entebbe, many of us found ourselves saying, “Have you read such and such?” It seemed fitting to put together a list of books that were being recommended by our friends and colleagues, all of which impinge refugee matters. So here’s what resulted of getting our heads together in Uganda. Additions welcome.

An RHP Recommended Reading List

Tales of an African Intercessor

To Save a Nation

The Battle to Stop Islam in Sudan
All three by Michael Howard, available from www.kalibu.com (Africa, spiritual warfare)

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families: Stories from Rwanda, Philip Gourevitch (Rwanda)

Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust, Immaculee Ilibagiza (Rwanda)

We Are All the Same: A Story of a Boy’s Courage and a Mother’s Love, Jim Wooten (South Africa)

This Voice in My Heart: A Runner’s Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness, Gilbert Tuhabonye (Burundi)

What Is the What, Dave Eggers (Sudan)

The Lost Boys of Sudan, Mark Bixler (Sudan)

They Poured Fire on Us from the Sky: The True Story of Three Lost Boys from Sudan, Alphonsion Deng, Benson Deng, Benjamin Ajak, with Judy A. Bernstein (Sudan)

The Journey of the Lost Boys: A Story of Courage, Faith and the Sheer Determination to Survive by a Group of Young Boys Called “The Lost Boys of Sudan”, Joan Hecht (Sudan)

The Lost Boys of Natinga: A School for Sudan’s Young Refugees, Judy Walgren (Sudan, targeted to ages 9-12)

God Grew Tired of Us: A Memoir, John Bul Dau, Michael Sweeney (Sudan, Ethiopia)

Girl Soldier: A Story of Hope for Northern Uganda’s Children, Faith McDonnell and Grace Akallo (Uganda)

The Kite Runner, Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)

The Other Side of the Sky: A Memoir, Farah Ahmedi (Afghanistan)

Black Dog of Fate: An American Son Uncovers His Armenian Past, Peter Balakian (Armenia)

Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, Bryant Meyers (International Development from a Christian Perspective)

King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa, Alan Hockschild (Congo)

The Poisonwood Bible, Barbara Kingsolver (Congo)

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Capetown to Cairo, Paul Theroux (Africa)

Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy’s Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard, Mawi Asgedom (Ethiopia, war with Eritrea)

Infidel, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (Somalia, Islam)

I Am the Clay, Chaim Potok (Korean War)

Interview with Heidi Moll-Schoedel on Prime Time America

Published
by
Simon
on June 10, 2008
in media and news
. 1 Comment

2008-06-03_prime_time_america (8 mins)

Opportunity to befriend newcomers to Canada and learn about other cultures

Published
by
Editor
on April 22, 2008
in North America, events, needs and opportunities, news and prayer requests
. 0 Comments

Would you like to befriend newcomers to Canada and learn about other cultures? Or would you support this ministry in prayer?

Kingcrest International Neighbours is a ministry that runs ESL classes and helps many refugee claimants and newcomers to Canada in East Vancouver.

Volunteers are needed for the 10-week Spring Term from April 15th – June 20th, 2008. Volunteers can come 1-2 times per week for 2-hour classes in the morning or evening on specific days. No previous training or experience is needed for being a host-friend - spending time with students and orienting them to life in Canada, or help with an ESL Bible Study, refreshments, administration, typing, fundraising, special events, childcare.

Please call Christina Chiu for more info (604-327-6262) or email christina_chiu@hotmail.com and put “Kingcrest” on the subject line.

Iraqi Refugees in Syria

Published
by
BOConnell
on April 8, 2008
in news
. 0 Comments

Since the war began in Iraq in 2003, several million Iraqis have fled for their lives, and are scattered in Northern Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Estimates range from 1.5 to 2 million in Syria alone.  These refugees live primarily in Damascus in below code cinder block apartments where the rent ranges from $200 to $600.  During my first trip to Damascus last October I was stunned to learn that no NGO’s were officially on the ground according to the UNHCR.  They said that the Red Crescent had not been giving approval to NGO’s applications.
We interviewed 15 families and the stories were of brutal treatment by terrorists in Iraq.  Many had lost loved ones.  Most had lost money trying to ransom loved ones from kidnappers.  They showed us their passports that said, “Work not permitted” and told us they were required to renew their visas every three months at the Syrian Embassy in Baghdad.  Most had sold their furniture to put food on the table and we heard stories of children being sold into prostitution for food.  They were simply hopeless.  Three churches on the ground have been trying to help but are tapped out even helping a few families.
It felt like we had stumbled upon a huge secret and I determined to try to stir up some dialogue in my arenas of influence.  I was in Washington DC two times recently and the second time met with the Syrian Ambassador and the Secretary of the Embassy in the office of a Congressman.  The Ambassador said they *do* need help from NGO’s and told me to use the Secretary as a liaison but they couldn’t be funded by the US government.
In conversation with the Secretary, he prefers that I be the liaison between the NGO’s and the Embassy.  Also, when I met with the US State Department, they said that if we have contacts with the local church on the ground that it would be good to work through them because the political solution is not likely.
So, this is a huge opportunity for the Body of Christ to impact the nations in giving aid to the suffering Iraqi refugees in a strategic region. I am willing to be a facilitator if anyone is interested in being in country officially.

Betsy Brown
Heartsong Ministries

Uganda Roundtable - deadline extended!!

Published
by
Editor
on March 19, 2008
in Africa, Asia, Europe, GENERAL, Latin America, Middle East, Newsletter, North America, REGION RELATED, events, needs and opportunities and news
. 0 Comments

The Refugee Highway Partnership Roundtable in Entebbe, Uganda, will be held on June 18 - 22, 2008.

The application deadline is now extended until Monday, March 31, 2008.

See below for more details and to download application. For any questions, contact Linda Moorcroft at Linda_Moorcroft@christiestreetrc.com.

The Refugee Highway Partnership was launched at a historic Consultation in 2001 in Izmir, Turkey. Nearly 200 church leaders from around the globe gathered to build connections, collaborate, and develop strategies to respond to the incredible need of refugees in our world. Since then, annual leadership meetings and roundtables have been held to continue to build and grow the partnership. The RHP’s mission is to mobilize the worldwide church to bring hope and provide refuge for over 30 million refugees and internally displaced people around the world through collaborative strategies. For more information about the RHP visit our website at: http://refugeehighway.net

The Uganda Roundtable, hosted by the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA) – a member of the World Evangelical Alliance – has been designed for participants to:

> Learn more about the RHP and ways to engage their church in refugee initiatives
> See first-hand the impact of refugee movements and internally displaced persons in the host country
>Partner with the African church through prayer, encouragement and engagement
> Participate in World Refugee Sunday celebrations in a “hotspot” in our world

Roundtable Participants:
Our target participants are strategic church leaders which includes pastors, denominational leaders, mission body representatives, and para-church organization leadership. We are intentionally capping the number of participants to allow for strong connections to take place. Our goal is to limit total attendance to approximately 60 to 80 people. The Africa region (as host) will have 10 to 15 church leaders from across Africa in attendance. Other regions and issue group areas have room to include approximately 5 to 10 leaders. Our goal is to involve decision makers who have the motivation, the influence and the ability to mobilize church involvement in refugee ministry when they return; leaders who have had some prior exposure to refugee issues and for whom this event could be the catalyst to greater involvement; and influencers who will share what they learn at this event to engage others.

Draft Schedule:
Wednesday, June 18 - Participants arrive
Thursday, June 19 - Full Day Session
Friday, June 20 - Site Visit to Kampala
Saturday, June 21 - Full Day Session
Sunday, June 22 - Refugee Sunday Celebrations

Monday, June 23, Tuesday, June 24 - Optional site visit to Northern Uganda

The schedule is being designed for optimum learning, listening, engaging, and connecting.

Location:
Imperial Botanic Beach Hotel in Entebbe, Uganda.

The hotel is located just 10 minutes from the international airport in Entebbe and provides free airport shuttle service. The hotel is considered one of the finest meeting facilities in Uganda and boasts visits from both U.S. Presidents Clinton and Bush. More information about the hotel is available at: Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel, Entebbe, Uganda

Optional site visit to Northern Uganda:
Participants will have the opportunity to visit a refugee camp – to view the programs and conditions and to engage with personnel and people living in the camp.

Cost:
Approximately $100 per day for full room and board, local transportation and use of meeting facilities. Travel costs to and from Uganda are in addition.

This is an invitation-only event. Applications to attend can be downloaded below:
APPLICATION (Adobe)
APPLICATION (Word)

Please return this form by: Monday, March 31, 2008. You will be notified if your registration is accepted. Please DO NOT reserve flights or make other arrangements unless your reservation is accepted.

For questions, contact Linda Moorcroft of the Refugee Highway Partnership at Linda_Moorcroft@christiestreetrc.com

Sincerely,

RHP Leadership Team

Sri Lankan refugees in India

Published
by
Editor
on March 10, 2008
in Africa, Asia, news and prayer requests
. 0 Comments

Ruki Fernando’s personal impressions of Sri Lankan refugees in India:

“Are we the ones to bear this shame, are they the sacrifice”

I remembered John Denver’s passionate song dedicated to the refugees called “Fallen leaves”, as I sat in the Chennai airport, trying to make sense of what I had seen and heard and my own feelings, recalling my visit to Sri Lankans who had fled to India in fear of their lives and live in camps as refugees. One of the lines from the song that kept coming back to me was what I had put as the title to this reflection.

At the airport, I myself felt a bit of a refugee, having come to the airport from an overnight bus. It had not been an easy journey, traveling by a night train, and spending the day at the store house that now serves as a home to 26 families, and then taking an overnight bus back, straight to the airport. And several other train, bus and auto rides in between. But I guess the difficulties in my journey pales when compared to the journeys that the people I met had undertaken, on makeshift boats, often overcrowded. Mine had certainly been a journey by choice, taking advantage of attending a conference in Chennai, while they had not much choice in undertaking the journey, the choice of fleeing to India and remaining in Sri Lanka having being one of life or death.

Read the rest of his report here.

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