Refugees Deeply - Summary
Prior to reading the background information regarding refugees and asylums I was very unaware of the different terms and meanings used to describe them. Refugees have a legitimate fear of being prosecuted for race, religion, nationality, etc. They have no option but to leave. There are many issues these individuals struggle with such as war, gang violence, and persecution. However, an asylum seeker, someone who travels to another country, is not always a refugee. One must claim asylum when they can’t return home, which is called “sur place”. There is a process done when claiming asylum and that consists of Refugee Status Determination (RSD). RSD has two steps: first, an interview process and second, research is put into the situation. The process is done by a Refugee Agency Officer and the main question they must consider is “how likely they are to be harmed if home”. There is also a difference between immigrants and migrants. Immigrants and migrants leave by choice, usually for economic reasons. Lastly, it is important to recognize that whether individuals are refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants, or migrants, they affect every single person around the world.
Quick Facts: What You Need to Know About the Syria Crisis" - SUMMARY
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This article is based on the many facts of Syria and their refugee crisis. Beginning in 2011 there have been more than 11 million killed or forced to flee. Syrians undergo many battles such as wars, killings, bombings, human right violations, and limited food/medical supplies. As this issue has continued, airstrikes have launched and more than just Syria has been impacted. These individuals are forced to flee for safety; therefore, many other countries are impacted such as Jordan, Lebanon, Greece, Iraq, and Turkey. However, the risks these people take escaping can be just as high as staying. Syrians will live wherever they can such as camps, shelters, or urban areas. It is important to recognize that the conditions are not always the best. What I found to be most touching was considering the many youths with uncertain futures. Schools have limited room and transportation is not easy. Most have been out of school for months or even years. More than half of the Syrian refugees are under the age of eighteen. Lastly, any support provided to these individuals has the ability to make a huge difference whether it be delivering goods or spreading the word.
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Libguide Source Summaries
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Welcoming Rhode Island
Summary: Welcoming Rhode Island is a committee full of people looking to welcome and engage foreign-born newcomers. Their goal is to build a strong welcoming atmosphere and connect the divide between foreigners and natives. There have been 319 Welcoming pledges from people around Rhode Island who support welcoming and involving newcomers. This community-building organization also holds many events such as National Welcome Week. The events are held in efforts to discuss the immigration system or any struggles these people may be trying to overcome. In efforts to engage those who are unfamiliar with this organization or topic, the website offers local stories from several different individuals. Lastly, people can also donate through this website not only to help with events, but also to help grow their welcoming atmosphere.
Better Shelter
Summary: A home away from home, also known as, better shelter, is an organization dedicated to designing and building with and for refugees. Beginning in 2010, they deliver more than just shelter for these individuals. Their goal is to deliver shelter, hope, and safety. A shelter would include solar panel roofing, LED charged lights, four windows, lockable doors, and many other sustainable features. The shelter can be relocated, fire-safe, withstand rain, snow, and wind, and holds UV protection walls and roofs. The better shelter organization has been represented in the press and also has their own blog, which is used for advertisement, recognition, and sharing stories. This organization originates in Sweden and shelters can be shipped worldwide. With thousands of shelters being put to use, better shelter is a remarkable organization.
African and the Americas Summary
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West Africa Source "People Living "In Sheer Terror" Around Lake Chad": Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an organization that assists worldwide by providing emergency medical aid. This includes clean water, healthcare, and shelter. They respond to anyone undergoing conflicts, disasters, or exclusions from healthcare. The website offers a variety of videos that further explain how the open and close cases, the medical challenges they face, and the medical research they conduct. MSF currently works in more than sixty countries and they publish annual reports, newsletters, and research articles regarding their work. MSF’s news stories include treating children, how the medical need remains, hospital bombings, disastrous living conditions, and so much more. Lastly, people can work in their field or office. MSF currently has 3,000 international volunteers annually. MSF is also an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), which means an applicant’s age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or disability status will not be considered during the hiring process. Along with physically working with MSF, individuals can support the organization by donating, fundraising, campaigning, attending events, and sharing hopefully MSF’s story.
The America’s Source "Exodus # Crossing Mexico": This source also discusses MSF, but in Mexico. There are 33.3 million people displaced, 232 million immigrants, and 16.7 million refugees worldwide. This site refers to this mass departure of people as an exodus of the 21st century. Specifically relating to the United States and Mexico, this source shares the migratory routes, the type of violence suffered, with theft/mugging being the worst, personal stories, such as a nineteen-year-old female who was mugged and beaten, and the right to asylum. Unfortunately, six out of ten migrant women suffer from sexual violence and this is only one of their many struggles. Mexico and the US need to recognize this reality of massive human rights violations. MSF has been treating migrants in Mexico since 2011 in response to all the violence suffered on the migrant route. 11,323 mental health consultations were done in 2013. MSF is a key tool in assisting the migrant population, who often has “no time to waste and are in a hurry to keep going, whatever it takes”. Lastly, as a societal contribution, all can make a difference by donating and spreading awareness.
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One family's story from the Dem. Rep. of the Congo Summary:
Clement Shomani and his wife Aline shared their story by introducing the cultural difference within the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For example, their culture does not consider women. Clement states that women are not even allowed to begin school before men. He feels as though women should be able to stand up and talk for other women. His wife, Aline, also states that women should be integrated and that this is a form of discrimination. Women are suffering victims that need to rebuild their lives and deserve recognition. French is the official language in the Congo; therefore, language barriers are a reality for this couple. Clement takes an emotional turn in his interview as he shares a story about ten women who were returning from a market around seven o’clock. The women, one being twelve years of age, were arrested and violated. On February 2, 2008 there home was entered, guns were shot, and the family was forced to give them money in order to be free. Aline becomes very emotional during this, which is expected. Clement remains strong as he continues their story by sharing that one week later they returned as they simply do not care about human life. The family eventually left by foot with support from their pastor and priest. They walked for three nights with five children and their journey included Uganda, Thailand, and Bangkok. Regardless of geography, all in the quest for refuge have undergone some form of trauma and suffering throughout their life that deserves to be acknowledged.
Guatemala: Genocide – The struggle for Justice in Guatemala: Iduvina Hernandez Summary:
Induvina is living to professionally tell the tale, as her and her mother believes she is “invisible”. She was studying in the 1970’s when an army assaulted her university. She crawled on the floor to escape the bullets, which she did so successfully; however, her friends were not so invisible. They were murdered or kidnapped. In 1979 students marched to commemorate a student who was killed. Years later, Induvina’s husband was killed in front of her grandmother’s house. Again, soldiers walked right past her during this incident. Induvina also shares some history of Guatemala, which is located south of Mexico. They are a multicultural society with proud roots and ancient history. The people consist of workers, farmers, students, and families, in other words, normal people. She claims that genocide is due to the overthrow of democracy. The army would separate people, murder men, rape women, and murder them as well. We emerged from this nightmare in the 1990’s when it was found that the army committed genocide and deserved to be prosecuted. Guatemala then attempted to seek justice and cure all from genocide. Induvina feels as though she has an obligation to share history with all, as it should never be forgotten.