Nine people were attacked at a Boise, Idaho apartment complex housing refugee families over the weekend. Six were children, including three-year-old Ruya Kadir, who later died of her injuries. Ruya and her mother arrived in the U.S. in December 2015 as refugees from Ethiopia and were resettled in Boise by the IRC. The attack occured at Ruya's birthday party.

The International Rescue Committee is supporting Ruya's family and the other affected families. We are also working with local partners in Boise to provide counseling and support to refugees and other members of the community.

"It is heartbreaking to know that people and children who fled the horror of war and conflict to find safety in America and the Boise community had to experience violence all over again," said the IRC's executive director for Boise, Julianne D. Tzul.

"We are shocked and saddened by this senseless attack on members of the Boise refugee community. The IRC is working with local partners in Boise to provide counseling and support to refugees and other members of the community shaken by this incident.  

"We are also supporting families to find and pay for temporary housing, providing travel logistics for those needing medical care out of state, and encourage families needing other help, or afraid for their safety, to reach out at the apartment building where we are this afternoon, or come to IRC office.

"IRC thanks Boise’s Mayor, Police, and the community for their support of refugees. This attack does not reflect, in any way, the tremendous welcoming nature of the Boise community we have worked with so closely since opening in 2006." 

There will be a vigil on July 2 at 6pm local time on the steps of Boise City Hall (150 N Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID 83702). Attendees are invited to bring flowers.