Refugees are individuals who have fled their home countries due to fear of persecution, conflict, violence, or other forms of serious harm.

(STAT From UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency)

At the end of June 2023, an estimated 110 million people remained forcibly displaced by persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, and events seriously disturbing public order, 1 percent more than at the end of 2022.9 UNHCR estimates that the global number of people forcibly displaced has grown during the following three months, and at the end of September 2023 is likely to have exceeded 114 million people.10 The mid-year total represents an increase of 1.6 million compared to the end of 2022. More than 1 in 73 people worldwide remained forcibly displaced as a result,11 88 percent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Most people who are forced to flee never cross an international border, with just 10 countries accounting for more than three-quarters of all people displaced within their own country. Similarly, over 87 percent of all refugees under UNHCR’s mandate and other people in need of international protection originated from just 10 countries.

International Rescue Committee Mission

The mission of the International Rescue Committee is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control over the future.

In this episode, we celebrate IRC San Diego and its work in the San Diego, California area working to bring displaced people into the community after losing their homes and facing danger in their countries. The organization provides services for housing, employment, food, clothing, and basic information for resettlement.

Since opening its doors the IRC has helped thousands of people make the difficult transition from one country to the next and given hope to the futures of refugees.

Topics discussed in this episode:

- IRC Mission [3:31] - Who is a Refugee [9:08] - Women [10:06] - Refugee Migration Locations [15:49] - The Refugee Process [18:00] - Barriers [24:44] - Funding [30:37] - Most Remarkable Thing [33:40] - Community [37:23]

Quote:

“People, they've fled their homes. They want to feel safe and secure, and they want to feel like they're a part of our society and that they belong, and that's what the community is.”

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