By Annette Pinder
The Refugee Partnership of Western New York has launched a Crisis Response Fund to help cover the U.S. Department of State’s suspended federal refugee resettlement funding. The critical funding provides support to recently resettled children, adults, and families during their first 90 days in the United States. It includes basic needs assistance for housing and food and funds, management and supports such as school enrollment, job placement, and other social support programs to help refugees assimilate into their new communities.
The Refugee Partnership’s campaign’s goal is to raise $1.5 million within the next 30 days to help fill the funding shortfall in order to support the 731 refugees who arrived here in the last 90 days. It consists of 5 Buffalo agencies – Catholic Charities, International Institute, Jericho Road Community Health Center, Jewish Family Services of WNY, and Journey’s End Refugee Services. So far, the Western New York Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, and M&T Bank have each contributed $100,000, and the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York has provided $50,000, for a total of $350,000.
It is important to remember that refugees flee their countries because of serious human rights violations and persecution due to their own government’s inability protect them from these dangers. Refugees have a right to international protection, and have been legally vetted through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and approved to come to the United States.
Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, executive director, International Institute of Buffalo wants our community to know that, regardless of who you voted for, not living up to this commitment to support refugees who have already come here is beneath our nation’s dignity.
Visit refugeepartnership.org for details on how to donate securely to The Refugee Partnership emergency relief campaign.
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