The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee advances human rights through grassroots collaborations.
Supporting People in Migration on World Refugee Day
By Eric Grignol on June 17, 2021
In search of safety and freedom, refugees face obstacles to rebuild their lives in new surroundings after leaving homes behind. UUSC has built a network of grassroots organizations around the globe who are working with families in migration to obtain asylum and assist with resettlement. Together, we are weaving systems of support for refugees and other displaced people — today and every day — to ensure access to the necessary services to build a better future for themselves and their families.
Here are just a few ways our partners are making a difference in the lives of people in migration right now:
- In Mexico, UUSC partner Scalabrinianas Misión con Migrantes y Refugiados (SMR) welcomes people in migration to its shelter and responds to their immediate needs. In addition to a place to stay, clothing, and food, SMR provides legal assistance and job placement for those navigating their way through the difficulties of the asylum process.
- In Burma, the recent military coup is an extension of the relentless campaign by the Tatmadaw against ethnic and religious minority groups, like the Rohingya, who have faced persecution for decades. Following widespread violence and massacres in 2017, many Rohingya people fled the country while others were forcibly displaced to the Thailand-Burma border. Beyond food and shelter in neighboring refugee camps, UUSC’s work focuses on education, social development, and Rohingya-led advocacy abroad.
- In the United States, we are working to end immigration detention and provide community-based alternatives. Through grant funding, mobilization of our members, and partnering with UU congregations, we support the Community Not Cages campaign. The coalition’s goal: to shut down ten unjust and abusive detention facilities during the Biden administration’s first year.
Thank you to our members for their steadfast commitment to UUSC’s vital work that provides lifelines of support for refugees and those in migration.
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About UUSC: Guided by the belief that all people have inherent worth and dignity, UUSC advances human rights globally by partnering with affected communities who are confronting injustice, mobilizing to challenge oppressive systems, and inspiring and sustaining spiritually grounded activism for justice. We invite you to join us in this journey toward realizing a better future!
Image Credit: UUSC
