The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that there are currently 120 million people displaced from their homes worldwide, and this number is growing each year. As a result, organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working tirelessly to help refugees integrate into communities and adjust to life in America.
One such refugee is Machar Geu, who originally hails from South Sudan and arrived in Wichita in February after spending most of his life in a refugee camp in Kenya. Despite leaving behind his child and wife at the camp, Geu feels fortunate to have made it to America, where he sees it as a new beginning for him. However, he understands that refugees face numerous challenges when they first arrive in a new country.
Nataliia Trafimovich, a refugee from Ukraine who arrived in Wichita about a year ago, also faced many challenges when she first arrived. She finds everything different here, from the language to public transportation. While she feels happy and safe in the US, Trafimovich emphasizes that refugees do not choose to leave their countries; they only do so out of necessity. Despite her struggles with adjusting to life in America, Trafimovich expresses gratitude for the opportunities and people she has met here.
To mark World Refugee Day, the IRC will host its first-ever gala tonight. The event aims to raise further awareness of the refugee crisis and highlight the importance of supporting refugees as they go through their resettlement processes. By attending this gala or donating to the IRC’s efforts, individuals can make a difference in helping refugees rebuild their lives and find hope for a better future.