InterAction's
Committee for Migration & Refugee Affairs,
National Resettlement and Processing Agencies
InterAction's Committee
on Migration & Refugee Affairs (CMRA) includes agencies who
focus on refugee protection, assistance, processing, resettlement
and advocacy. The CMRA also addresses issues of immigration, naturalization
and asylum reform. The CMRA provides a forum through which the agencies
coordinate their programs and policies, build consensus on refugee
issues, and interface with the US government, the UNHCR, and other
international agencies.
The American Red Cross (ARC) provides relief to
disaster victims and refugees, development assistance to sister national societies in
disaster preparedness, primary health care, health education, and international social
services. The ARC assists individuals separated due to war or disaster in locating family,
re-establishing communication, and possibly reunification. The ARC is actively engaged in
tracing missing relatives for Kosovar Albanians.
The American
Refugee Committee (ARC) is committed to serving those refugees
and internally displaced persons who cannot be repatriated in
the short term. The ARC provides medical care, training and other
services to refugees who have left their homes because of war,
natural disaster, or other threats to their health and well-being.
International
Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) coordinates worldwide
Catholic assistance to refugees, migrants, and displaced persons
regardless of creed, through a network of over 70 national affiliate
organizations. Programs include immigration, legalization, resettlement
and reintegration assistance efforts, with emphasis on fostering
self- sufficiency through micro-entrepreneurship, training, and
education.
The Church World Service (CWS) is a global
relief, development, and refugee assistance program that works through the National
Council of the Churches of Christ. The Migration and Refugee service provides assistance
to refugees and displaced persons and acts as a liaison between refugees and communities.
CWS funds projects to assist those who seek safe haven in the US, by arranging permanent
housing and also advocating for the rights of those who may be forcibly returned.
The Ethiopian Community
Development Council (ECDC) is a non-profit, community-based
organization established in 1983. Locally, ECDC provides a wide
range of social and support services that assist refugees and
immigrants build economically independent lives. Regionally and
nationally, ECDC engages in efforts to increase public awareness
about domestic and overseas issues affecting the lives of African
refugees. ECDC provides technical assistance to community-based
organizations and has taken a leadership role in creating a national
network among African community organizations around the country.
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid
Society (HIAS), the international migration agency of the
organized American Jewish community, is charged with the worldwide
mission to assist in the rescue, protection and movement of Jewish
refugees and other Jewish migrants. As an expression of Jewish
values, HIAS also responds to the needs of other people at risk
and represents and advocates on behalf of Jewish and non-Jewish
peoples before community, government and international bodies.
Since its inception in 1880, HIAS has helped to resettle more
than four million Jews.
IRSA acts to defend human rights, build communities,
foster education, promote self-sufficiency, and forge partnerships
through an array of programs. Every year IRSA develops and manages
education and assistance programs that help refugees resettle
in the U.S. These programs help refugees recover from past trauma,
gain personal independence and economic self-sufficiency, become
contributing members of their new communities, and able participants
in all aspects of American life.
International Rescue Committee
(IRC ) is the leading nonsectarian private voluntary organization
providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees
and victims of oppression or violent conflict. IRC staff and volunteers
work in Bosnia, Croatia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Rwanda,
Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Malawi, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Thailand, Cambodia and Guatemala, providing emergency
relief and rehabilitation services for refugees. Domestically,
IRC has 18 offices nation-wide, assisting refugees in their resettlement
to the U.S.
The
Jesuit Refugee Service was founded in 1981 under the auspices
of the Society of Jesus, the largest Catholic religious order
of men. It is a decentralized network, operating regionally in
over 35 countries and with current focus in Africa. Major program
foci include pastoral care, legal assistance, health promotion
and education. The US coordinating office is located at the US
Jesuit Conference in Washington. JRS/USA sponsors a national legal
assistance network; collaborates in a research project with Human
Rights Watch; and engages in public education through the extensive
Jesuit network.
Refugees International (RI) provides
information analysis, and advocacy to policymakers to ensure that
refugees' internationally recognized rights are upheld and their
basic needs for protection and care are met. RI also provides public
education on refugee issues.
The United
Jewish Communities strives to preserve and foster Juddism and
to build understanding and support of its values. CJF and its 200
member federations support health and welfare services to people in
need, both in the Jewish and general communities in the US. CJF's
program service priorities include the rescue and resettlement, both
in the U.S. and Israel, of Jews from the former Soviet Union, Iran
and Ethiopia.
The United States Association for UNHCR was
created to assist the heroic efforts of those who help the world's
refugees. It's mission is to build support in the US for UNHCR through
education and advocacy on behalf of those who are forced into flight
for their lives or liberty.
The Consortium is a collaboration of two long-established US
NGOs: World Education and World Learning
Inc. (formerly the Experiment in International Living). The Consortium
was formed in 1979 in response to the needs of Indo-chinese refugees
who were en route to resettlement in the U.S. Initially the program
provided education and training at the Phanat Nikhom, Thailand refugee
camp. In 1992, the Consortium initiated repatriation programs in Laos
(through UNHCR) and in Viet Nam (through the U.S. Department of State
Bureau for Population, Refugees and Migration). In 1995 the Consortium
implemented primary school teacher training and clusters school programs
throughout Cambodia, originally with UNICEF funding, later with USAID
funding. Presently the Consortium implements the Education to Burmese
Refugees program in six refugee camps on the Thai- Burmese border.
The Consortium additionally administers three programs in Laos, 1).
The War Victim;s Project - improving the medical and education systems
in four areas of heavy proliferation of unexploded ordnance, 2). The
Lao Economic Acceleration for the Silk Sector project - developing
all aspects of the silk industry, and 3). opium detoxification programs
in Luang Prabang Province."
World Relief
(WR) is the relief, development and refugee services arm of the
National Association of Evangelicals. The mission of World Relief
is to work with the Church in alleviating human suffering worldwide.
WR provides US resettlement counseling and overseas development projects.
WR works closely with UNHCR, the US Bureau for Refugees, Population,
and Migration and other NGOs to arrange social services and processing
for refugees and persons of concern.
