wfn.org | Church agencies blast government

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000-039

Church agencies blast government's attempt to reduce refugee 
admissions

by James Solheim

     (ENS) Church-related agencies that deal with refugees have 
strongly criticized a proposal by the Clinton administration in 
its budget proposal to reduce the number of refugees admitted to 
the United States and decrease assistance to refugees around the 
world.

     "The decline in the numbers of refugees being considered for 
admission next year is particularly regrettable given the 
increasing number of those in the world for whom resettlement 
remains the only escape from lives of continual suffering," 
commented Richard Parkins, director of Episcopal Migration 
Ministries. "Surely a nation enjoying such prosperity at a time 
when so many refugees languish in camps can and should do 
better."

     There are nearly 14 million refugees, and over 17 million 
internally displaced persons, in the world today. Many have been 
driven from their homes and will never be able to return. Only a 
small numbers find refuge in developed countries. While the U.S. 
has traditionally been the world leader in welcoming refugees, 
admissions have declined by over 40 percent in the last eight 
years. Refugee advocacy agencies, with some congressional 
support, have argued for returning to historic levels of about 
100,000 a year.

     "My experience convinces me that there is extraordinary 
potential in communities and in churches around the country for 
extending hospitality to newcomers--especially those forcibly 
uprooted from their homes because of violence," Parkins said. 
"For our government to fail to tap this potential for hospitality 
when the needs are so great only diminishes our role as a leader 
within the international community. A generous approach to 
admitting refugees gives us the moral authority to encourage 
others to offer hospitality."

     In the meantime the world produces more refugees. In the 
Balkans thousands face the daunting challenge of repatriation or 
permanent resettlement. In Southeast Asia secular violence and 
separatist movements will likely continue to produce refugees in 
Indonesia and Burma. In the Middle East, millions of refugees are 
the victims of internal strife. In the Americas, Colombia's long-
running civil war could add to refugee problems.

     Africa is the most obvious cauldron with 22 countries 
involved in armed conflict or serious internal tensions, adding 
to the flow of refugees. In the Sudan, for example, a 30-year 
civil war has killed two million and uprooted four million 
people. 

     "On a continent with 10 percent of the world's population, 
but 50 percent of the world's wars, and an AIDS epidemic ravaging 
millions of lives, we simply must do better," said Ralston 
Deffenbaugh, director of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service 
and chair of the Refugee Council USA.

     "As people of faith we are obliged to help as many as 
possible begin their lives anew," added Parkins. "And we should 
press our government to respond so that we can provide hope for 
people who are now caught in despair."

--James Solheim is director of the Office of News and Information 
for the Episcopal Church.