U.S COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS
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Policy Brief: Dignity Beyond Borders- Stories that Surpass Adversity

October 25, 2023

In the field of migration, there is a tendency to focus on suffering as we bring awareness to the human rights abuses, wars and conflicts, economic disparities, and climate disasters that push people to leave their homes in search of safety and security. But there is another side to stories of displacement: triumph in the face of adversity, healing in the wake of trauma, and selfless service as an act of gratitude. It is fundamental to amplify these positive stories to uphold the inherent dignity of people and represent displaced people not just by their vulnerabilities and struggles, but by their strengths. These stories remind us that refugees, survivors of human trafficking, asylum seekers, children on the move, and all forcibly displaced persons are an asset, not a burden, to society.

In this week’s Policy & Advocacy report, Policy Analyst Aaron Nodjomian-Escajeda shares two stories of asylum seekers who are building communities on the island of Lesvos, Greece and continuing to support others in situations like theirs.

Click here to read the full Policy & Advocacy Report by USCRI.

These stories come from a field visit that USCRI Policy Analyst Aaron Nodjomian-Escajeda conducted in September 2023 to asylum-seeker welcome centers in Greece. So far, in 2023, nearly 200,000 people have crossed the Mediterranean in search of asylum in Europe, and over 2,500 have died or gone missing in the process. An in-depth report detailing all findings from the visit will be published next month.

For questions, please email [email protected].


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