First Impressions

By Evan Armstrong,

Community Engagement VISTA

A new endeavor by the International Institute this year involves the acceptance of five AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to serve at the Institute. As one of those VISTA volunteers, I have been allowed to shadow the majority of the services the Institute offers as part of our on-site orientation. One of the most important services that the Institute provides (especially in the eyes of the refugees) involves picking individuals and families up from the airport when they first arrive in St. Louis. Many new clients have been away from their homes for many years, in camps or other countries providing temporary asylum. The landing of their plane in St. Louis marks the first stage of their resettlement process, while the sights and sounds as they leave the airport provide their first real impressions of America. I was fortunate enough to get to participate in an airport pickup this past week, and left impressed both at the smoothness of the operation International Institute employees carry out, and also at the resolve of the refugees who are coping with extraordinary change in their lives.

Disclosure rights prevent me from giving many details, but I was present at the arrival of a male refugee from Liberia. The flight got in pretty late, after 10pm CST – but I can’t complain while knowing that the refugee on board had been traveling for more than 24 hours in cramped airplane seats. We greeted Peter (name changed for protection) as he arrived, and after picking up a single piece of luggage for all his possessions, he was ready to go. Before the airport pickup, Institute employees secure housing for refugees who do not have family in the area to live with, so a modest apartment had been set up for this man. We drove Peter from the airport to his new apartment, and walked through how to work the basic appliances, as well as reading through the rules for the terms of lease agreement. Some basic food items had been bought earlier in the day for his use as well. After that, there was some quick signing of paperwork, and then we wished him good luck and promised to return the next day to take him shopping for more food and essential items.

Every new refugee at the Institute receives a small check from the government to allow for basic living as they acclimate to the United States, with a hope that by the time that money runs out, refugees will have found jobs and can be self-sustaining. The International Institute is heavily involved in that process, devoting time and resources to ensure that every client has opportunities to find work. After the grocery run the next day with Peter, he was instructed on when to come in next to begin his search for employment.

Peter comes to the International Institute almost every day right now. I smile and talk with him briefly whenever I see him, knowing he must be glad to recognize a face. It is an interesting feeling, knowing I was present from the moment he first arrived, and knowing that the Institute is his primary resource in this new stage of his life. I wish nothing but the best for him and all persons who have come from suffering countries to seek a better life. I hope we are able to live up to the promise of America, and believe strongly that the International Institute will provide positive, necessary services toward that end.

Drought and Conflict in Somalia: Two large issues both unnoticed by the world

By Erin Schmidt

Somalia, located on the eastern border of central Africa is a country in conflict for many reasons. Sadly, it is also one of the many whose conflicts are going largely “unnoticed” by the international community without many signs of resolution, more assistance, or peace. The country of Somalia is facing two conflicts currently: drought and violence. Since 1991, Somalia has virtually had no effective government. It has also been labeled a “humanitarian disaster zone” for over almost twenty years. In 2006 a transitional government supported by Ethiopia, threw out numerous Islamists in the capital of

Mogadishu after years of civil war. Since that time, the Islamist militia, known as al-Shabab, have increased their resistance and violent activity in the region around the capital and throughout the country. The United States has placed these al-Shabab groups on the list of “foreign terrorist organizations”. They are made up of youth and military members of the former Sharia courts which were part of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC). These courts ruled regions of Somalia until 2006 when the transitional government removed them from power. In the last fifteen months alone, hundreds of thousands have fled the region which estimated 20,000 people fleeing monthly. Attempts to negotiation with the militia groups have all come up short.

There are currently 2,400 African Union peace keepers in Mogadishu with more planned.  Also in the region around Mogadishu are 1,600 Ugandan troops and a planned combined 8,000 troop African Union force, but this large force has yet to be assembled and plans are looking more long term than short term. Ban Ki-moon has asked the UN to send 27,000 peacekeepers into the region but this has yet to happen, and it doesn’t look good for this conflict in Somalia.

The 2^nd issue facing the country of Somalia concerns effects from the drought in the Horn of Africa. More than two million Somali citizens rely on food aid and this number is growing. The food aid, mainly from the World Food Program is reporting that total over 14.5 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance throughout Somalia. World Food Program vehicles are not able to access the people because of the militias, mentioned above, overtaking roadblocks and sometimes the food itself. There is chronic insecurity in the region and millions are suffering, especially the children. Infants are all underweight and showing signs of chronic malnutrition. The rain has not come for the third year in a row, resulting in crop and land destruction. Families are being forced to flee after reduced to poverty, and many families are being wiped out completely.

It is sad to report on such atrocities especially given that the International Institute serves hundreds of clients from Somalia. It is also heartbreaking that such violence is occurring literally under the world community’s eyes. The UN is overwhelmed and unable to provide proper resources needed for current missions, yet alone future needed missions, such as in Somalia. The situation in this region is at immediate emergency level, but yet it remains “unnoticed”. Who is going to come to the aid of the country and the region? Sadly this is a question without many coming forward to answer the call.

If you would like to learn about the region or for more information please consult www.bbcnews.com where information and images for this article was taken. As well as:

http://www.unicefusa.org/ 

http://www.icrc.org/eng

http://www.sos-usa.org/pages/default.aspx

http://www.usaid.gov

Post and photo by Erin Schmidt, Advocacy Intern 

The International Criminal Court  (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands charged two Congolese militia leaders with war crimes last Friday, June 27^th. The International Criminal Court is the world’s first permanent war crimes court. It is currently hosting the Special Court for Sierra Leone. The trial underway at this time is that against Charles Taylor former leader of Sierra Leone.  These charges represent the beginning of the second case launched by the World Court since its creation in 2002. The first trial conducted by the court was also of another Congolese militia man, Thomas Lubanga. This case has been suspended over issues related to evidence withholding from the defense. 

The two men charged are Germain Katanga (Head of Patriotic Forces of Resistance of Ituri) and Mathieu Ngudjolo Chui (Head of Allied Front of Nationalists and Integrationists militia). Both are accused of “planning and ordering an attack, in which more than 200 villagers were allegedly killed”. The incident was part of the overall Ituri conflict. The conflict raged on after the peace accord ended Congo’s 1998-2003 war. During the conflict, militias from the Hema and Lendu ethnic groups were pitted against one another. (www.worldbank.org/drc)

Witness reports claim that the victims of this crime were burned and many women were forced to become sex slaves, these are both crimes against humanity and thus cause for International Criminal Court indictments. The Court began its “confirmation of charges” Friday June 27^th, in which evidence will be presented to support the charges including: murder, sexual slavery, rape, inhumane acts, and recruiting child soldiers. After this there will be 60 days in which the court will decide whether or not to go to trial http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7477702.stm.

I have personally had the opportunity to visit the International Criminal Court in the Netherlands and visited the Special Court for Sierra Leone’s case against Charles Taylor this spring. I found the court to be very interesting and a real hope for future justice for the millions of people in the world that are affected by such crimes. The Court however, is complex in its evidence collection and case research, the main reason why there has only been one case so far. There are challenges to the International Criminal Court, but hope is alive and well that it will continue its pursuit for global justice in our complex world and can help serve as some small sense of justice for those from the region. The International Institute St. Louis, currently is serving clients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

For more information on the International Criminal Court please go to http://www.icc-cpi.int/home.html&l=en Or for information on the DRC and how you can help, go to http://www.theirc.org/special-report/congo-forgotten-crisis.html

Another guest post from Ashley Mace:

As today is World Refugee Day, I logged onto my computer to find some uplifting statistics about the effects of our efforts to resettle victims of overseas conflict and oppression. The statistics on solely refugee aid seemed a bit inconsistent so I stuck with general foreign aid statistics. Laudatory claims that the U.S. is the leading donor of monetary assistance could be found on many websites, as we donate a whopping $12,900,000,000 to general foreign aid initiatives. We comprehensively blew other countries like Great Britain (we send $8 billion more) out of the water. The next closest donor gives $3.5 billion less.  I thought, “Way to go, America! You rock! What a great example of benevolence for the other stingy countries.”  And then reality struck… 

One web site I stumbled upon opened my eyes by putting this statistic into perspective. As you scroll down the page the U.S. drops to LAST PLACE in a comparison of ten internationally respected countries when the foreign aid is a function of our GDP (gross domestic product).

Norway, a country that certainly does not carry the international clout that we do, offers fully 6.5 times more than we do. An average citizen in Norway gives $390.39 annually while an average American gives $43.22. Who is the stingy country now?  

In this entry I don’t mean to confuse with statistics and lingo, but I want to highlight the fact that although we claim superpower status, our immense power has not been met with an equivalent generosity towards others. To me it seems absurd that we should give so little when we have been blessed with so much. No clear solution exists to rectify the situation but we could begin by urging our representatives to support expansion of our assistance. 

With great power comes great responsibility, and accordingly we need to be more responsive to the interests of other countries with much more immediate dangers than we experience here in America.

Against All Odds is a refugee simulation game created by the UNHCR. You can play it here: http://www.playagainstallodds.com/. Today is World Refugee Day, so tell someone you know to play the game and learn about the refugee situation world wide.

Our intern, Blake, played it recently, and here’s her reflection.

A fully armed officer shoves a paper and pen before me.  “Do you give up the right to vote?”  NO, I mark.  I value my democratic rights, thank you very much.  A massive fist bludgeons my face, staining my paper crimson.  “Is homosexuality a crime?”  I check NO again.  Wasn’t gay marriage just deemed legal in California?  More blood.  Alright, perhaps there’s a pattern here.  “I promise to never spread information forbidden by the government.”  Yes?  Phew.  No reward, but no violent upswing, either.  Interrogated further, I agree to renounce my faith, discontinue speaking in my native tongue, and assert the police have treated me well. 

Okay, so this isn’t technically happening to me, per se.  I’m playing Against All Odds, a virtual reality game created by UNHCR to mimic what life’s like for refugees.  Though my artificial entity receives the blows, my physical self’s emotions are fully engrossed. It’s just a computer game, I try to remind myself, though it’s hard not to internalize events on the screen.In the next scenario, I haphazardly flee with only a few belongings.  Despite successfully crossing the border, I make dire sacrifices.  When my best friend neglects to bring his identification along, for instance, I’m forced to decide between getting caught at the checkpoint or leaving him behind.  I find myself in a philosophical conundrum.  Is one’s life the same without friends?  For the sake of strategy, I choose to abandon my comrade, but I don’t know what I’d do if this were real.             

Eventually I arrive at an intake center where an interpreter helps me adjust.  Surely, things will be easier from here, I think.  Wrong.  I’m humiliated in trying to determine my new classmates’ social cues, told I’m improperly dressed at my first job interview, and consistently overhear complaints about immigrants.  Even my neighbors slam doors in my face, claiming they didn’t take chances with foreigners.  So much for a warm American welcome…              

I sit and stare at the screen for a moment after the game ends, thinking about the awful decisions I had to make to survive and the harsh reality of prejudice.  I sincerely hope I’m never put in a similar situation.  Real life generally isn’t as merciful as computer game designers allow.