Plus: Climate change, COVID-19 and conflict are forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

IRC monthly update MARCH 2021

Behind the headlines this month Why are asylum seekers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border? The International Rescue Committee answers your questions As Syria marks a decade of war, the nation’s 10 year olds share their hopes for the future A new American entrepreneur turns adversity into opportunity

What's happening at the U.S. southern border? When it comes to understanding the situation at the U.S.-Mexico border, there are a few critical things to keep in mind: The first thing to know is that the actual crisis is in countries, such as Guatemala and El Salvador, where rising poverty due to COVID-19, natural disasters and growing violence are forcing people from their homes. Many of those seeking asylum in the U.S. are women escaping gender-based violence, LGBTQ people fleeing persecution and threats to their lives, and families seeking to protect their children from gangs. Teenagers and children are travelling to the border alone as escalating crises force their families to make impossible decisions. Second: Seeking asylum is legal—even during a pandemic. But in spite of both U.S. and international law, the Trump Administration unfairly and inhumanely barred asylum seekers from seeking protection. Many of the administration’s policies, including family separation, were condemned by Americans. We are still seeing the impact of those policies under the new Biden Administration.  Learn more about what’s happening at the U.S. southern border, including what the Biden Administration can do and how you can help.

The IRC around the world   The deadliest place for humanitarians Syria marked ten years of war this month, a grim milestone for the protracted crisis. Continued attacks on civilians, aid workers and hospitals leave many Syrians living in perpetual conflict areas or uprooted from their homes multiple times. Here’s what you need to know. Children who’ve known nothing but war Most 10 year olds want the same things: to learn, to play, to feel safe. Hear from 10 year olds in Syria on their favorite things, their experiences of displacement and their hopes for the future. A new American entrepreneur turns adversity into opportunity When Diana Muturia could no longer afford college and had to take a job cleaning homes, she thought she’d let her family back in Kenya down. Today, she’s using her experience to build an innovative new business in the U.S. Read her story. Girls learn to be leaders in an Ethiopian refugee camp For International Women’s Day, the IRC asked teenage girls living in Helowyn refugee camp in Ethiopia to describe themselves in one word, and to tell us what it means to them “to be a girl.” Explore their responses.

One thing you can do   Tell President Biden to restore U.S. refugee resettlement President Biden has already taken important steps towards rebuilding the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Unfortunately, a crucial final step—making many of these changes official through the signing of a Presidential Determination (PD)—has not been completed. As a result, hundreds of refugees have had their resettlement travel plans cancelled and are waiting in increasingly distressing and precarious situations. Tell President Biden that he must sign the PD to restore refugee resettlement now.

The IRC in the news   Syrian medics describe what it’s like to survive attacks on health facilities Time spoke to Syrian medics featured in an IRC report on the relentless attacks on health facilities in the country. Read the article.

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