The United States is seen as a beacon for those seeking safe haven, but Syrian refugees have not been welcomed with open arms. Of the 4 million Syrians who have fled their country only 1426 have settled in the United States.
A few are in the DC Metro and Baltimore area. They face many struggles and need the help of the Muslim community.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Baltimore helped settle 26 Syrians in 2015. The non-profit hopes that they can resettle many more. IRC was dismayed at the recent announcement by President Obama that the US government would increase the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the country in 2016 by just 2000, from 8,000 to 10,000. IRC and other organizations are asking the Obama administration to allow 100,000 Syrian migrants into the country by the end of next year.
“They are desperate to seek safety,” said Ruben Chandrasekar, executive director of the IRC's Baltimore branch, to the local CBS station. “They are desperate to be given a new chance at a new life.”
IRC makes sure newly arrived refugees receive a furnished home, help with rent; health care; nutritious and affordable food; English language classes; help build job, computer and financial literacy skills; social services and community support and legal services toward residency and citizenship.
"Though they have lost a lot their homes, sometimes family and friends, they come here with a burning desire to start a new life, and Baltimore has been a welcoming place for immigrants and refugees where they can do that," said Chandrasekar.
"We greet them at the airport, we make sure we have a modest furnished apartment for them where they can start their life, we enroll their kids in school, and ultimately, we help the adults find work so they can pay their bills and move on with their life," Chandrasekar said.
The 10,000 refugees being allowed admission will arrive in small batches. They will not all arrive at the same time. It takes up two years for the background checks that refugees go through before being granted asylum.
IRC runs a volunteer-staffed donation shop where new refugees can shop for free donated items. Drop-off hours for the shop at 3516 Eastern Avenue are Monday through Wednesday from 10am-2pm.
Baltimore lost 300,000 residents over the years. The Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, wants to repopulate the city. She recently conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly purchased home of refugee family in the Northeast Baltimore. Homes can be purchased by refugee families through the Individual Development Account Program run by the IRC, with help from committed partners, like Islamic Relief USA, and other funders, to help the mayor achieve her goal to attract 10,000 new families to Baltimore by 2022.
The Muslim community can assist the refugees at the junction, after they have been resettled by organizations such as IRC.
Local Muslim listservs received emails about 5 families in the Baltimore area that needed immediate help. They have been provided semi-furnished apartments, but need help with rent and other expenses. Two of the head of household are looking for extra ways to earn a living. Currently, both are part-time employees.
“Three families have multiple areas of need including: financial, job search, health, immigration/legal, house/furniture, transportation/car, social, psychological, spiritual…,” conveyed Dr Yassine Daoud who has been assisting the recent refugees from Syria. Currently, two families need cars. The community has gathered some funds but still needs support.
The father of the 9-member Saleh* family is blind and cannot work. They were excited to have visitors, says members of the Muslim community who have visited them.
Efforts are on the way to consolidate donations and support so duplications do not occur. “We are in the process of forming a committee to help delegate the donations and match them with the needs. If you want to volunteer, please let us know. We will have a strategic short and long-term plan available in the next two weeks to be presented to the community insha’Allah,” wrote Dr Daoud in an email. There are multiple health issues and concerned community members are trying to resolve this in collaboration with some local physicians.
Daoud says the families needs social support especially the children. “We are in the process of reaching out to the university students to help this kids. One idea is to have an Ansar family who would befriend the Muhajiroon family and give them emotional and social support.
If you would like to get involved in the local efforts please contact syrianrefugeesbaltimore@gmail.com
The IRC in Baltimore assists refugees who are fleeing from war and persecution in their home countries. To learn more about what its programs in Baltimore provide refugees, visit: http://www.rescue.org/us-program/us-baltimore-md/programs
*name changed for privacy