Chicago Public Radio
Now Playing

12:00pm Worldview
1:00pm Here & Now
  View Schedule


So Many Ways to Tell a Story!
Pledge Now

There are many ways to support public radio.
Submit
Pledge Now
Events
2.9.2010 Sweet Home Chicago Seminar: Classic Candy
2.9.2010 Bookstore Owners Talk Business
View full calendar
revolution in access
Feder Blog
Submit
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • unknown
City RoomTM Public Affairs coverage from our award-winning staff
Immigration
Study: Illinois Refugee Services Near Collapse




 
 
Bookmark and Share Share
 

United African Organization head Alie Kabba calls federal funding for refugees inadequate. (Chip Mitchell/WBEZ)

Pioneering efforts in Illinois to resettle refugees are in danger of collapsing, according to a new study by a pan-African coalition based in Chicago.

The United African Organization this summer surveyed scores of local refugees and service providers, then followed with interviews and focus groups. The findings aren’t rosy.

The United States is allowing in fewer African refugees despite a proliferation of crises on that continent. And the organization’s Alie Kabba says that’s not the only problem.

KABBA: Because the federal government is not providing adequate funding, the state is not providing adequate funding as a result of the budget crisis we’re in. And community-based organizations have access to fewer and fewer resources to do the work that they really want to do.

That means resettlement agencies, religious congregations and host communities are having a harder time meeting refugee needs.

The report says those needs are increasingly complex. Today’s refugees include more unaccompanied minors, human trafficking victims, and survivors of torture, genocide and sexual violence.

The feds have also suspended a program to help refugees bring their families over.

Leave a comment
Support Provided By


Become a Sponsor
Support Provided By


Become a Sponsor
Local News
Snow to get Worse in Afternoon; Southwest Cancels all Flights

Inspectors Trash More Food at Shared Kitchen

More Bridge Worries for Northwest Indiana

CTA President Says He's Ready to Meet with Union Leaders

Who Does Quinn Want as His Running Mate?

CTA Service Reductions Affect CPS Students

Blue Monday for Some in Indiana



National News
Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally

US Army closes in on targeted southern Afghan town

GOP wary of pitfalls in Obama's health care summit

Another major storm headed to snowy Mid-Atlantic

Defiant Iran accelerates nuclear program

Autopsy: Fight a factor in Kerrigan father's death

UN slams Haitian hospitals for charging patients



International News
US Army closes in on targeted southern Afghan town

Toyota recalls 437,000 Priuses, hybrids globally

UN slams Haitian hospitals for charging patients

Europe searches for way out of debt crisis

Nigeria: Vice president empowered by lawmakers

Defiant Iran accelerates nuclear program

Sri Lankan parliament dissolved ahead of new vote

64 feared dead, 400 hurt in Afghan avalanches

Dubai tower shut after visitors stuck in elevator

China gives 5 years to activist who probed quake