Plus: Meet women's rights activists in Uganda

IRC monthly update SEPTEMBER 2020

Whether you’re a long-time International Rescue Committee supporter or just learning about us, we want to thank you for being here. It will take all of our communities to make sure refugees and other displaced families have the support they need to survive, recover, and thrive—especially as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts lives across the globe. Thank you for being a part of our work.   Behind the headlines this month Stories of welcome: Refugees and their fellow Americans describe how they’ve changed one another’s lives Meet women’s rights activists in Uganda making big changes Combatting COVID-19 misinformation around the world

Stories of welcome: Refugees and their fellow Americans describe how they’ve changed one another’s lives We’ve been in touch before about the threats to refugee resettlement in the United States, which is at historically low levels under the Trump Administration. And with the program in danger of grinding to a halt as early as tomorrow, we’re urging all of our supporters to take action to restore America’s legacy of welcome (You can find out more in our advocacy section below). As we fight to preserve refugee resettlement, we also want to take a minute to celebrate the powerful connections forged between refugees and their fellow Americans when the country opens its doors to newcomers. “Welcoming...it’s a lot easier than people make it out to be,” says 16-year-old Charlee Andree. “It’s just about showing up.” Charlee is a close friend of Christelle Igihozo, a twenty-three-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. After fleeing Congo and facing xenophobia in South Africa, Christelle was resettled in Boise, Idaho, with her family. Today, she's an aspiring actress and model, a college student, an IRC employee assisting other refugees, and a budding fashion influencer who strives to create body positive content that encourages all women to feel confident. She is also a cherished friend who has inspired Charlee and their mutual friend Janna with her drive and confidence. “You don’t realize that you are impacting other people’s lives,” Christelle told the IRC. Robert Sebatware, also a refugee from Congo, met former IRC staff member Dave Kurz when he arrived on Robert’s doorstep to offer assistance with acclimating to the U.S. What began as mentorship would soon blossom into a close friendship between the two men and their families. “They are now my family,” Robert says. “Their friendship brings so much joy and richness to our lives,” adds Dave. Read more of these powerful “Stories of welcome.” PS: In case you missed it, today is the last day of our September match campaign to help people impacted by the double threat of COVID-19 and displacement, as well as other crises worldwide. Donate today and your contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Rescue in action   Women’s rights are advancing—but are refugees being left behind? In the fall of 1995, then-first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton told an audience of world leaders and activists gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference for Women: “Human rights are women's rights....And women's rights are human rights.” That conference resulted in more than a famous speech: it produced the Beijing Platform for Action, a roadmap for gender equality across the globe. Twenty-five years later, how far have we come in advancing women’s rights? And have refugees and other women living in crises been included? Explore seven facts that show the progress we’ve made since 1995—and the work that still needs to be done. These women’s rights activists in Uganda are demanding better “I became an activist because women are really violated. People don’t get to hear their voices,” 27-year-old Grace Muduuru told the IRC. “We can stand all together and do something where the world can recognize that women also exist.” Grace is a women’s rights activist in Uganda working with COSMESS, an organization that helps both refugee and Ugandan women. She’s one of several women’s rights activists in the country who have become powerful forces for change in their communities. Meet Grace and other inspiring women determined to build a better world. Combatting COVID-19 misinformation around the world It’s no secret that misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic is rampant around the world. The IRC has responded to the need for accurate, trustworthy information by expanding its innovative Signpost initiative. Launched with partners such as Mercy Corps, Google, Microsoft, Twilio, Cisco, Trip Advisor and Box, Signpost uses social media and digital platforms to get critical information to those affected by crisis. Its newest iteration, InfoPalante, was launched in Colombia for Venezuelan refugees and other displaced and vulnerable populations in the country. Learn more about how Signpost reaches people in crisis around the world. What does it take to become a U.S. citizen under the Trump Administration? On top of its attacks on the refugee resettlement program, the Trump Administration has also issued policy and practice changes that have narrowed the path to citizenship for new Americans. Delays in the process have doubled the average wait times over the past three years. Far from inconsequential, these delays could have an impact on the 2020 election: There are currently 300,000 aspiring Americans who would likely be naturalized in time to vote but will not be sworn in before November due to the administration. Learn more about what it takes to become a U.S. citizen, and how this process has gotten much harder.

One thing you can do   President Trump must announce the refugee resettlement admissions level for fiscal year 2021 today. If he does not, the program will grind to a halt. Join us in urging the White House and Congress to ensure that refugee resettlement is returned to its historic norms.

IRC in the news   What U.S. schools can learn from refugee education The IRC’s experts took to the pages of Newsweek to detail the lessons they’ve learned from education programs in countries facing crises.

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