Born to parents who fled violence in Congo, Patrick and George became the first of their family to attend college. They are working to counter negative rhetoric about refugees in the United States and inspire other refugees to pursue their dreams.

Former International Rescue Committee (IRC) client Patrick Karera -- a Congolese refugee who fled violence in his home country and overcame extensive health complications -- graduated from high school this spring. IRC staff were present to cheer him on.

When Mukabera Uwamaria was 15 years old, she fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo. After five months on the run, she arrived at a refugee camp in Rwanda, where she lived for the next 20 years. There, she met her husband, Eugene, and had four children. The oldest of whom is Elysee Ishimwe. Today, the family has a home in Dallas, Texas. Elysee, now an 11 year old attending Sam Tasby Middle School, was recently the recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from his elementary school. He will be awarded the money upon high school education to go towards continuing education.

The IRC's maternal & child health program works to ensure families with young children have access to the resources they need to be successful in Utah. Learn more from Jonessa White, health promotion specialist, as she provides an in-depth look into the program.

The team in Denver is working hard to adjust services to be delivered remotely to refugees and immigrants.

During the 2022 Utah Legislative Session, the International Rescue Committee in Salt Lake City worked with a variety of partners to raise awareness and advocate alongside refugee, immigrant and new American communities living in the Beehive State.

Widespread drought, food insecurity and conflict across East Africa and Yemen have led to a mass displacement of people. Refugee camps are overcrowded and lack clean water, sanitation and health care, conditions that have nurtured a deadly cholera outbreak, putting millions at risk.