The IRC Denver Youth Department have developed new programming to counteract feelings of isolation in Denver refugee youth

Months of escalating hostility towards Ukraine have culminated in a concerted invasion of the country and the launch of military attacks across multiple cities in Ukraine starting from February 24th, 2022. As of March 26, 2022, an estimated 2.2M people have fled to Poland from Ukraine. Many have been welcomed by the Ukrainian diaspora in Poland, many more are being hosted by Polish families, and the rest reside in recently established shelters and reception centers. While the Polish government, Polish NGOs, UN agencies, and local civil society actors have provided multisectoral relief across the country, this rapid needs assessment aims to better understand the priority needs, vulnerabilities, and barriers to accessing information, services, and humanitarian support that people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine face in Poland, including those experienced by groups with heightened vulnerability.  This assessment will be used to inform the IRC’s strategic response to these displaced populations in Poland and will be widely shared with the overall humanitarian community, including with Polish civil society and governmental bodies who have provided rapid and much needed relief to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. 

It’s hard enough to travel throughout the Central Valley without owning a car. But imagine not even being able to use Lyft or Uber taxi services because you don’t own a car seat to transport your children safely. That’s a challenge that many refugee families who live in the Turlock/Modesto area face on a daily basis.

The IRC's Advocacy Coordinator has been meeting with community groups and members of the Legislature and Congress to build support for refugees in the state.

The IRC in Kansas is launching into it's third year of the Kansas Refugee Economic Empowerment Program. The program aims to place VISTA members throughout Wichita and southwest Kansas communities to build capacity through new program development and community relations.