Discussions included local strategies for handling refugees seeking asylum and the fact that the numbers of refugees in Turkey continue to increase due to regional instability. During her visit to ICMC, the Assistant Secretary also met with Ms. Elif Selen AY, Senior Protection Associate at the United Nation’s Refugee Agency in Istanbul. The group explored ongoing efforts to meet the needs of the displaced community living in Istanbul and throughout Turkey.

Assistant Secretary Richard’s observations about her visit with ICMC touched on the very human dimensions of the work on behalf of refugees.

“I recently spent time in Istanbul to learn about some of the people who have sought refuge in Turkey. My day started with refugee families headed to America in the near future, followed by a meeting with UNHCR to discuss the plight of thousands of refugees living in Turkey but, for one reason or another, are struggling… I saw refugees from several countries being interviewed by ICMC staff about their experiences… a cultural orientation class for adults preparing for resettlement [where] they learn about interviewing for jobs, taking the bus, and life in America.”

“I was glad to have the chance to meet with nine Iraqi children, ages 8 to 14. I found them busy coloring drawings of the airplanes that will take them to America -- odds are very good that once in the United States, they will assimilate quickly. When one child mentioned that he was headed to Detroit, I insisted there were two things he needed to know: cars and Motown music. The kids knew about cars, but were unfamiliar with Motown until I mentioned Michael Jackson -- then the room erupted in smiles.”

A proud partner of PRM, ICMC operates the Resettlement Support Center (RSC) Turkey and Middle East. ICMC’s RSC Istanbul office has a sub-office in Lebanon and also processes cases through regular missions to Kuwait, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates.

The resettlement of refugees from Turkey to the United States continues to be a critical component of the international efforts to find durable solutions on behalf of refugees who have been displaced from their countries of origin and who have sought refuge in Turkey.

To learn more about Assistant Secretary Richard’s visit to Turkey click on the following link: http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/entry/refugees_istanbul<

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Contact:

Peter Vogelaar, ICMC Istanbul

vogelaar@icmc.net< / 212.219.2055