IRRC Steps Up to Support Afghan Refugees Amid Federal Defunding For Refugees Already Here

The Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee (IRRC) recently welcomed an Afghan family of eight; stepping in after their agency sponsor could no longer provide support. A son, who worked with the U.S. Military, arrived in the US as a 17-year-old as part of the 2021 Kabul airlift. The rest of the family joined him in late November 2024.

They were the lucky ones! The Presidents January 20 Executive Order put an indefinite pause on refugee arrivals, leaving more than 1,600 Afghans with flight tickets in hand, that were abruptly rescinded. And over 40,000 Afghan’s, approved for Special Immigrant Visa’s, left stranded in various countries. Moreover, the subsequent suspension of federal funding for the resettlement of refugees already here, has again spotlighted the importance of community sponsorship as traditional refugee resettlement agencies face significant challenges; in some cases forced to close their doors.

The IRRC is again leading the way! Together with our Agency partners, we pioneered the concept of community sponsorship in CT. Since 2016, we have welcomed three refugee families; two from Syria and one from Afghanistan. All were self-sufficient within 12mos. All are thriving in our community today. Indeed, a number volunteer with us today!

A Family’s Strength and Determination

The IRRC is particularly committed to empowering girls and young women, providing them with opportunities to find their voices and their independence after being denied these freedoms in their home countries.

The Afghanyar family is an Afghan family of eight; father (53), mother (41), two sons (23 and 21), and four daughters (20, 18, 14 and 13). They are smart and resourceful. More than resilient, they exude a confidence we had not expected after experiencing such loss. Notably, the father has raised his daughters to be independent, self-sufficient and as good as any man. “My daughters will be a beacon of hope for us, and for girls and women of our country,” said Babrak. And the girls clearly identify with this. They want to be a doctor, lawyer, journalist and a pilot.

How You Can Help

We are asking for funding to help with the upfront and ongoing costs of rent (our biggest challenge), food, seasonal clothing, home goods, and personal electronic devices not covered by federal and state assistance. Once the adults are working, you can help provide them with additional education and training, with an eye to helping each family member achieve their fullest potential; not just the children. But we need your help!

You can make a difference!

The US has a long tradition of resettling refugees, rooted in a belief in universal human rights, inspiring generosity and the immigrant roots of each one of our citizens. Despite recent policy reversals, we believe the developed world has an overwhelming obligation to respond. There is no better way to contribute to our national self-interest and, at the same time, answer God’s call to give fearlessly!

Whether you see this as God's work, or the nations work, the need is great. And the only wrong answer is doing nothing.

Please join us in helping to rebuild lives, and help repair the world - one family at a time.

Media and Outreach Contact

John McGeehan

Who is the IRRC

The Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Committee (IRRC) is a coalition of area churches, synagogues and a mosque, supporting the resettlement of refugee families in our area since 2016. Our coalition members include, Temple Israel, the Community Synagogue, and Greens Farm Congregational of Westport; First Church Congregational of Fairfield; and the Al Madany Center of Norwalk. Together, we have helped refugees build new lives, strengthen hope and dare to dream. Moreover, our efforts have proven to return value to the community through cultural enrichment and economic growth.

What is Community Sponsorship

Community Sponsorship is a model of refugee resettlement in which resettlement agencies and community groups come together to sponsor and support refugees who are resettling in their community.

As primary sponsor, the IRRC is responsible for implementing a demanding, self-help program, and providing the family a runway to self-sufficiency and, ultimately, full assimilation. Our Members agree to work together in the true spirit of partnership to ensure that there is united, visible and responsive leadership, and to demonstrate financial and operational commitment across a range of Task Groups including, apartment set up, health and education advocacy, employment assistance, transportation, financial literacy training, community guidance, and more.

The challenge today

According to UNHCR, as of 2023, 1 in 69 people were displaced globally, or over 120 million. An 8% increase from 2022. And more than double from a decade earlier! Of these, over 69 million were internally displaced within their own countries, 43 million were refugees, and 7 million were seeking asylum. Behind these numbers are countless human stories of families separated, livelihoods lost and communities shattered. Today, 72% of all refugees come from just five countries; Venezuela, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan and South Sudan.

Community Co-Sponsorship Works

In late 2021, IRRC welcomed an extended Afghan family of 11. These were but a few of the 90,00 Afghans welcomed in the US over a short 10 month period. Maryam, on behalf of her extended family, spoke about her resettlement experience with IRRC in this way.

“IRRC is not just an organization, it’s hope for those people who need it the most. What happened in Afghanistan in August of 2021 was a nightmare that will stay with us forever. As a result, my family, and thousands of Afghani families, were relocated to the United States.“ She went on to explain that IRRC provided everything for the two families, such as a furnished house, transportation, access to healthcare, food, clothes, ESL classes, access to legal support, and assistance in finding jobs. “Each volunteer made us feel comfortable, guided us, and welcomed us with a big heart. By doing so, the IRRC proved that regardless of who we were, or to which faith we belong, the only thing that matters is our humanity. We will never forget this, and we hope to return the favor by being involved and helping other immigrant families from other countries, the same as how IRRC volunteers did for us.” Today, Maryam is a Junior at Fairfield University.

Our clergy have spoken of IRRC in this way.

“I am extraordinarily proud of our congregation for committing to this effort and of the many volunteers who are committing their time and expertise to welcome these Afghan refugee families,” says Rabbi Michael Friedman of Temple Israel. “This effort merges our deeply-cherished Jewish values with our families’ lived historical experience. The Torah calls upon us countless times to welcome the stranger, because we once knew oppression in the land of Egypt. Moreover, so many of us treasure our own family stories of a relative arriving in the United States with little to their name, often seeking shelter from persecution, committed to pursuing all the opportunities this nation had to offer. Now is our chance to help another family follow the same arc.”

“We know that the arrival of these families follows deep heartache and loss,” says the Rev. Vanessa Rose, Pastor of First Church. “While recognizing that pain, we hope that the love we poured into their new homes will spark new hope for them. In the midst of recent social division and isolation, the IRRC’s shared values of hospitality and our common belief that God calls us to welcome refugees and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves has created new friendships in service. First Church calls itself the church that says ‘yes.’ In our partner congregations, we have found that same willingness to be open hearted, and eager to respond to need.”

"When my family and I arrived in the United States from Syria eight years ago,” says Imam Mohammed Almasri, “we came with nothing, with no idea of what to expect. IRRC volunteers welcomed us, and helped us understand what we needed to do to build a life here. They supported us with each step forward. Many remain our friends today. The Koran teaches us to welcome the poor and the oppressed, those who leave everything behind in search for justice and a new life. That was my family, and IRRC was there for us. Now, it’s our privilege to volunteer with IRRC to help a family from Afghanistan make this their home, too."