What is a refugee?
The definition of a refugee comes from the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol (“Refugee Convention”). This treaty forms part of international law. Refugees have certain rights under this treaty, the most important being protection from being sent back to their country of origin against their will if their safety cannot be assured (principle of non-refoulement).
The Refugee Convention defines a refugee as:
“Any person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country.”
The important points of this definition are:
- that the person must be outside their country of origin;
- the reason for their flight has to be a fear of persecution;
- the persecution has to result from one or more of 5 grounds (race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion);
- this fear of persecution has to be well-founded; and the person is unwilling or unable to seek the protection of their country.
The term “refugee” is often used incorrectly to refer to people who have been displaced due to a natural disaster (earthquake, tsunami, etc.) or environmental change. However, this usage is not strictly correct.
The United Nations (UN) estimates that there were 43.3 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2009, the highest number since the mid-1990s. Of these, 15.2 million were refugees.
The Difference Between Refugees & Immigrants
It is important to distinguish between the status of refugee and immigrant. An immigrant chooses to leave his/her country of origin, when to leave, where to go, whom to travel with, and what possessions to take. A refugee has no choices. A refugee flees. To remain in his/her country of origin means almost certain death. A refugee’s future is uncertain at best. A refugee brings with him or her way of knowing and interacting with a community. A refugee belongs to a past that no longer makes sense in a new place. A refugee carries cultural knowledge, religion, family ties, and economic system, education, important festivals and local events, a home, a village, memories, and ancestors.
Taken from: “The Bantu in Our Midst: A Resource for ELT Classrooms” by the Spring Institute
Resettlement of Refugees
Less than 1% of all refugees worldwide are ever resettled to a third country by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Resettlement is a vital protection tool that aims to provide protection to refugees who cannot go home or who are unwilling to do so because they will face continued persecution, and whose life, liberty, safety, health or other fundamental human rights are at risk in their country of asylum. Only when all efforts to either help refugees return home (repatriation) or settle permanently in the country of asylum (integration) have failed does third country resettlement become the option of last resort.
80% of refugees worldwide remain in the region of origin (fleeing to neighboring countries). In 2009, developing countries were host to 4/5 of the world’s refugees. Pakistan was host to the largest number of refugees worldwide (1.7 million), followed by Iran (1.1 million) and Syria (1 million).
The main countries of return (repatriation) in 2009 included Afghanistan (57,600), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (44,300), Iraq (38,000), Sudan (33,100), Burundi (32,400), and Rwanda (20,600).
The following countries have resettlement programs: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. Other countries accept individual refugees on an ad hoc (case by case) basis. According to UNHCR, 19 countries reported the admission of 112,400 resettled refugees during 2009. The US accepted the highest number (not per capita): 80,000.
Sources cited: US Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI) and UNHCR Global Trends 2009
U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program
Each refugee approved for admission to the United States is sponsored by one of 9 national voluntary resettlement agencies (Volags) participating in the Reception & Placement (R&P) Program under a cooperative agreement with the Department of State (DOS).
Volags oversee their local affiliate resettlement agencies that are responsible for helping refugees for the first 90 days after their arrival. Tucson is home to three resettlement agencies: International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Social Services, and Catholic Community Services. Local resettlement staffs along with relatives, friends, and volunteers assist refugees with:
- Finding housing
- Obtaining household furnishings & clothing
- Understanding U.S. customs and laws
- Learning about community resources & public services
- Using public transportation
- Scheduling medical examinations, immunizations, & follow-up medical care
- Obtaining a Social Security card
- Enrolling children & youth in school
- Registering adults for English as a Second Language (ESL) classes
- Finding employment
- Enrolling in benefits such as, AHCCCS, TANF, food stamps, etc.
Although refugees are eligible for public assistance when they first arrive, the U.S. Government emphasizes early economic self-sufficiency through employment to speed their integration into American society. During the refugees’ initial transition period, programs funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and administered either by the states or resettlement agencies, provide cash and medical assistance, employment services, English language training, and other limited support services. Refugees are enrolled in the Refugee Medical Assistance Program (RMAP) for the first 8 months from their date of arrival. Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA) is also available for up to 8 months after arrival.
Source cited: ORR
What is a Mutual Assistance Association (MAA)?
MAAs are ethnic community-based organizations managed primarily by and for members of particular resettled refugee groups. As a non-profit community-based organization, each MAA governing board must be composed of a majority (at least 51%) who are current or former refugees.
The purpose of an MAA is to promote successful refugee resettlement by addressing the long-term social service needs of refugees. MAAs serve refugees beyond initial resettlement, aiding in long-term acculturation and cultural bridging through programs including ESL (English as a Second Language), afterschool programs, tutoring, conflict resolution, citizenship preparation, and household livelihood strategy planning. Organizations like SBATA serve all members of the ethnic community, regardless of which organization resettled them, in addition to any disadvantaged refugees.
Why Tucson?
Did you know that Tucson is currently home to at least 11,500 refugees representing 50 countries and speaking 45 languages?
Tucson is designated as a ‘Preferred Community’ for refugee resettlement by the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) among communities in 35 states nationwide that provide the best opportunities for integration.
‘Preferred Communities’ are localities with with a favorable cost of living relative to earning potential where refugees have excellent opportunities to achieve early employment and sustained economic independence without having to utilize public assistance.
Arizona is one of the top five states for refugee resettlement, primarily because of the state’s relatively low cost of living and job opportunities, though the recent economic crisis has made it difficult for refugees to find employment.
Source cited: ORR
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What is a refugee? |
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The term “refugee” is often used incorrectly to refer to people who have been displaced due to a natural disaster (earthquake, tsunami, etc.) or environmental change. However, this usage is not strictly correct.
