Definition:

Refugees are as diverse as the world itself.  People of all races, languages, educational levels, and occupations become refugees.  In short, a refugee is a person who has fled their home country because of hardship or persecution.  

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) defines it more specifically as:

"A person who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution."

Examples of refugees in Spokane range from people who fled the Rwandan genocide, to Bhutanese people forced by their government to leave for Nepal or Iraqis who were threatened because of the help they gave the American military.

The Process:

   When large numbers of people flee their homes and congregate in nearby safe places, the UNHCR helps to set up and administer camps and/or services to help people.  Most people stay in these places for many years, hoping their homeland will regain enough stability for them to return.

 Those not able to return home go through an extensive application and interview process with the UNHCR, hoping to qualify for resettlement in another country.

 Currently, there are eleven countries around the world that have annual programs or quotas to accept refugees. Those refugees accepted by the United States for resettlement are then divided amongst ten Voluntary Agencies (VOLAGs) who further disburse cases to their field offices.  Some cities have many VOLAGs, Spokane used to have two agencies, but currently has only one – World Relief.  VOLAGs are responsible for a good deal of the initial footwork for refugees: getting social security cards, signing up for welfare, immunizations, finding housing, etc.  These agencies do good work and help refugees a great deal.  The problem, however, lies in the length of care provided.  Depending on what contract the VOLAG receives each refugee under, services are only provided for 4 or 6 months. For more information, view the UNHCR’s basic factbook.

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