International Rescue Committee

Most asylum seekers facing deportation in the U.S. don't have access to a lawyer and risk family separation or endangering their lives without legal aid. This was the case for Philip, who came to the US from the DRC. IRC's Staff Attorney Kayla Moore shares his story: https://www.rescue.org//what-happens-when-asylum-seekers-f

For years, Divin and Nadine worried about if their family would ever be whole again. They both grew up in a refugee camp in Burundi after fleeing violence in the Democratic of Congo. In 2017, Divin arrived in the U.S. as one of the last refugees admitted before the Trump-era travel ban went into effect. Sadly, Nadine and their son Joe were separated from Divin for over two years while she awaited to join him in Boise, Idaho.... Finally, in April of 2019, their dream of reuniting came true when Nadine and Joe arrived in the United States. That same year Nadine’s parents and siblingswho were still living in Burundiwere also welcomed to the U.S. Swipe to see Joe’s reaction to seeing grandparents and relatives for the first time in nearly 7 months. Now, after enduring multiple separations, their family is living together, safely in Boise, Idaho. For us, we just want to be self-sufficient and live a peaceful life, Divin told us. Last week, President Biden announced his commitment to raise the refugee resettlement goal to 125,000 in fiscal year 2022 and has signed an Executive Order setting a framework to achieve thispotentially paving the way for more families like Divin and Nadine’s to be reunited and create a better life together. What is Divin and Nadine’s message for us all? "[Refugees] are human beings who still have protections and rights. It’s important to remember that these people have gone through unimaginable hardship, war and persecution." We couldn’t agree more. #StandWithRefugees #RefugeesWelcome

Meet baby Raghadhappy, healthy and strong. Raghad’s mother, Khadija, lives in a refugee camp in Yemen with her 6 children after being forced to flee her home due to the 6-year long conflict in Yemen. Living in a rural area of the country with limited access to healthcare, Khadija and other pregnant displaced mothers face serious risks during childbirth. On top of this, the cost of transportation to reach a doctor or hospital remains another barrier women face to receiving ...the care they need. In the rural areas, we suffer during pregnancy. We don’t have the facilities and the skilled attendants, Khadija shared. As a result, many women lose their life or their baby during childbirth. Khadija herself tragically lost a baby. Now, thanks to organizations like the IRC and @eu_echo, Khadija and her children are able to receive the lifesaving support they need. Our mobile health clinics in Yemen drive to remote locations where families have found refuge away from war to provide critical care to pregnant women. Often, these expectant mothers would not have any other access to medical help. Before the birth of her son Raghad last year, Khadija met with an IRC community health midwife to support her delivery. Dr. Nabila provided us with assistance before I gave birth. She explained to us what IV infusions were. She came with me to Aldhalae. Now I am well. In addition to providing prenatal and postnatal care, IRC teams also provide food and nutrients to families and their children as part of our critical response in Yemen, which remains on the brink of famine. Life conditions now are good thanks to the support of the NGOs. Without them we would be in a difficult situation because of the war. Khadija’s wish is that the war in Yemen will end and her children can grow up in peace. We wish this for her children and all children in Yemen, too. Leave a below if you agree.

Myanmar is in the midst of a turbulent and uncertain situationand we are extremely concerned for the lives and safety of the most vulnerable, including those who have been affected by conflict. Swipe to learn more about #WhatsHappeningInMyanmar, the IRC's work in the country since 2008 and what must be done to protect the most vulnerable. Share this post to help us spread the word about the situation and visit Rescue.org for more updates to come.

Tamer, Murad and Khalil: wearing masks sewn by their mother Hamida. Hamida and her family fled Aleppo, Syria after their home was split in half by an airstrike. They have now found safety in Northwest Syria but have struggled as nearly a decade of war, and now the COVID-19 pandemic, have strained economic opportunities for many Syrians. We have to buy water and we try to ration it as it’s so expensive to live here. Many people have had to pull their children out of scho...ol and send them to work to help their families, Hamida shared with us. Through our Cash for Work program, displaced people like Hamida are able to earn an income sewing face masks to support their families, while protecting their communities from the coronavirus. I’m now able to buy supplies for my home and wood for winter, she told us. I am proud that I work hard to help my family. I hopeand dreamthat one day we’ll be able to return home. The strength and resiliency of people like Hamida is our inspirationtoday and every day. Read Hamida’s story here: https://www.rescue.org//these-syrian-women-are-making-mask

Congratulations to Rachid, a staff member with the IRC in Boise, for receiving his COVID-19 vaccination! This is what he said about receiving the vaccine: "I cherish being part of something which connects all of us and guides us as we collectively march towards an all encompassing goal: the common good for all. The least I can do to participate is help protect those around me. Therefore, elated and jubilant, I volunteered to get vaccinated. It was quick and painless and I feel no different than I did prior."

I hope my daughter will live in peace, will have access to education and be happy. This is what Amat told us next to her then 13-day old newborn (and first-born!) baby girl Anhar back in March. Amat, her husband and their family were displaced twice from Ibb, Yemen as they fled war and violence. Now, they live in Qaatabah, where Amat gave birth at an IRC and EU Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid - ECHO supported reproductive health center. ... IRC helped me give birth, it was hard...It’s a nice feeling to be a mother, she shared with us. Yemen is currently the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and 50% of the country’s health facilities are not fully functional. At the IRC, we’re working to provide reproductive health care and mobile health services to some of Yemen’s most remote areas to help ensure that people like Amat and baby Anhar get the care they need to stay healthy and safe. To learn more about the crisis in Yemen and how we’re working everyday to support families like Amat’s, visit: https://www.rescue.org//crisis-yemen-unrelenting-conflict-

[TW: Baby loss] Refugees on the Greek islands are facing a mental health crisis. In this new animation by International Rescue Committee - UK, meet Audrey, Baimba and Hassan who, despite everything they’ve been through, have found the courage within themselves to continue on. Along with hundreds of other refugees, they’ve received mental health support from psychologists at the IRC while living in overcrowded camps on the Greek islands.... The pandemic has only made things tougher for refugees living in camps with lockdowns trapping people in intolerable conditions. At the IRC, we believe Europe must do more to end the cruelty of containment for the 15,000 people who remain stuck on the islands. Watch their powerful stories, brought to life in an illustrated animation by Jocie Juritz, and share this video to help us shine a light on the situation. For more on their stories, visit: https://www.rescue-uk.org/courage-to-continue #StandWithRefugees

Our annual emergency watchlist for 2021 is officially out. The 20 countries on our list represent just 10% of the global population, but account for 85% of those in humanitarian need. The triple threat of conflict, climate change and COVID-19 is driving the crises in nearly all countries. The top 3 crises we’re most concerned about in 2021 are:... Yemen Afghanistan Syria Swipe to learn some of the reasons why we’re most concerned about these three countries and how you can help. Share this post to help us raise awareness and read more of our Watchlist here: Rescue.org/crisiswatchlist2021top10

I am an American woman. I put my roots in this ground. Maha, an Iraqi refugee and mother of five, studied hard for her U.S. citizenship. It’s been six years since she resettled in Queens, NY, and her family still remains divided: three of her sons (two pictured here) are thriving in America, but two others, her husband, and her 13-year-old grandson remain in the Middle East. Before getting U.S. citizenship, Maha worried about the risks of travelling to see them, and at tim...es, policies like the Trump Administration's travel ban prevented visits entirely. But after months of studying and exam preparation, Maha finally passed her citizenship exam and became an American citizen in September! Her wish for her family that is still in the Middle East? I miss them too much and they miss me. I hope that I can bring them here to live together for the rest of my life. Read Maha’s full story, here: https://www.rescue.org//putting-down-roots-iraqi-refugee-b