Press Release

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 5, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Responds to President Trump’s State of the Union Address, Encourages Workforce Alternatives & Immigration Reform 

BALTIMORE, Md. –  Last night, President Trump gave his third State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress. As in previous addresses, the president highlighted the efforts he and his administration have taken to secure the Southern border and the need for merit-based immigration reform. World Relief believes that security is essential; it’s just as important as ensuring safe, legal ways for individuals and families fleeing violence, persecution and other tragic circumstances to enter the country and subsequently become a citizen. 

“Safety is a high priority,” commented Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “But we are often guilty of allowing our fear of the unknown cloud our judgment and prevent us from embracing the many men and women who have a credible case for fleeing their country of origin due to persecution and making their home in the U.S. President Trump is right that immigration processes must follow legal procedures and keep citizens safe, but that is not inconsistent with also ensuring the United States continues its tradition of welcoming those fleeing violence and persecution. We urge our leaders to prioritize creating efficient, legal pathways for asylum.”

The president also talked at length about the success of the market and economy during his presidency, citing very low unemployment rates and widespread participation in the workforce. World Relief is grateful for the President urging Congress to prioritize solutions that will make the economy and society even stronger. These solutions must include immigration reform. Time and again, World Relief has witnessed the incredible benefits that come from the nation’s newest members. Refugees and immigrants contribute far more in tax revenue than they receive in resettling or other public benefits – and they’re more likely to start their own business than native-born Americans.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene said, “While we celebrate the continuing economic progress of our country and the record lows in unemployment, we believe passing immigration reform and keeping immigrant families together is of vital economic and moral interest to our country. World Relief will continue to work with Congress and the administration to pass immigration reform and ensure that there continues to be a robust refugee and asylum process for those fleeing persecution.”

To learn more about World Relief, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

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About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
January 31, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Laments Expanded Restrictions on Lawful Immigration
New “Travel Ban” Will Bar Family Reunification from Particular African and Asian Countries

BALTIMORE, Md. – Late today, President Trump issued a new executive order expanding upon previous travel bans. The new order bars most individuals from Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and Nigeria from obtaining immigrant visas to migrate lawfully to the U.S. and restricts individuals from Sudan and Tanzania from eligibility for one category of immigrant visa. 

“These further restrictions on legal immigration processes will mean families seeking reunification will be stymied,” explained Scott Arbeiter, World Relief President. “This overly broad policy unfairly targets individuals of particular nationalities in Africa and Asia, and sadly it’s consistent with various other policies that have the effect of significantly restricting legal immigration to the United States.”

Working both through a network of local offices as well as by providing technical support to scores of local churches with accredited immigration legal clinics, World Relief has helped thousands of individuals in the process of family reunification since the 1980s, including many from the countries that will be affected by this new executive order.

“These families have done everything we’ve asked of them as a nation, working through a complex legal process that in many cases has required them to wait years or decades to immigrate lawfully to the U.S. Now, those from these particular countries of origin will be barred,” notes World Relief Director of National Immigration Programs Courtney Tudi. “As Christians who believe that God instituted the family unit, we believe these policies are harmful.”

The executive order does not apply to the U.S. refugee resettlement program. However, it does seem to restrict individuals who initially arrived as refugees, who may now be Lawful Permanent Residents or naturalized U.S. citizens, who have filed I-130 petitions to be reunited with family members still in their countries of origin. This will particular impact many from Burma, also known as Myanmar, which is the top country of origin for refugees resettled to the U.S. in the past decade. More than 150,000 Burmese refugees have been admitted to the U.S. in the past twelve years, most of whom have been persecuted Christians. Many are now proud U.S. citizens – but this new executive order will bar their immediate family members still in Burma from being reunited to them through family sponsorship.

The U.S. is also home to a large Nigerian-American community including more than 200,000 Nigerian immigrants, most of whom are naturalized U.S. citizens. However, many still have family members residing in Nigeria who will now be barred from immigrant visas. Nigeria is home to a large population of both Muslims (roughly 90 million) and Christians (roughly 86 million), all of whom will be barred from immigration to the U.S. by this policy. “As a pastor of a church where many of my congregants are from Nigeria and other parts of Africa, this policy is devastating,” says Pastor Gregory Ijiwola of City Lights Church in Chicago.

World Relief urges the administration to immediately revoke this new policy, resuming family reunification and other immigrant visas for qualifying individuals. With support from local churches and other community partners, we will continue to provide the best available legal counsel to individuals seeking to be reunited with their loved ones in these affected countries. For more information, visit www.worldrelief.org/immigrant-legal-services. 

Download the PDF version of this press release.

 ###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
January 10, 2020

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Grieves TX Gov. Greg Abbott’s Halt on Refugee Resettlement in Texas in FY2020 

BALTIMORE – Today, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas officially withheld his consent to resettle refugees in Texas in FY2020. Unlike previous years, the refugee ceiling for FY2020 was announced at the end of September paired with an executive order requiring both state and local authorities to consent to resettle refugees in their jurisdictions. Consenting to resettle refugees does not guarantee that refugees will be resettled in those areas; rather, it allows families and individuals to be resettled there upon arrival into the U.S. 

“We are disappointed that Governor Abbott has chosen to close the state’s doors to refugees in 2020,” commented World Relief Fort Worth Director Troy Greisen. “We have seen time and again the amazing contributions that refugees make in our neighborhoods, congregations and the local economy. We grieve the families with members already resettled in Texas that will have to wait even longer to be reunited, and we grieve even more for the loss our communities will experience without their new members.”

World Relief and the Evangelical Immigration Table sent letters to 15 governors from 2,669 evangelical leaders asking they provide consent to refugee resettlement. The letter sent to Governor Abbott included over 340 signatures from Texas evangelicals.

“This action by Governor Abbott is out of step with other governors around the country, including 19 Republican governors, who have said they welcome refugees to their state,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “It’s out of step with our heritage as Americans. And most importantly, it’s out of step with our Christian prerogative to care for those in need and the stranger. We have been grateful for the leadership Texas has historically shown as a welcoming community and are deeply saddened that they are now choosing to abdicate that role, instead closing their door to refugees altogether. We urge the remaining eight governors who have not yet issued their consent to resettle refugees to consider doing so quickly.”

 To date, 42 governors have issued their consent to resettle refugees in their states, and 86 local officials have similarly requested refugees in FY2020. The remaining governors and local entities have until January 21st to provide consent, at which time resettlement agencies must submit funding requests to the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration for FY2020.

For more information about how you can help, World Relief’s refugee resettlement work and other projects, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

 ###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
December 1, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Remains Vigilant in Working with Communities to Eradicate HIV/AIDS
Empowering churches helps to reduce new infections of HIV 

BALTIMORE – This World AIDS Day, World Relief urges sustained vigilance to eradicate HIV/AIDS. Even though HIV infection is preventable and effective treatment available, 5,000 new HIV infections still occur every day, and nearly 40 million people are infected, according to UNAIDS. Access to testing and maintaining treatment remain challenges, along with lingering stigma. 

World Relief is committed to tackling these issues in partnership with the local churches through strengthening family relationships that enhance marital faithfulness and the value of women, advocating for testing and adherence to treatment, and encouraging family economic growth. Additionally, these partnerships are also a vehicle for educating communities about the vulnerability of young girls who are up to fourteen times times more likely to get HIV than their male counterparts according to U.S. government’s President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) 2019 Annual Report to Congress

“There is a lot of stigma and shame out there around HIV/AIDS that is preventing persons, especially men and youth, from accessing the resources necessary to be tested and treated,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “This is why it is so important for the church to create an atmosphere of acceptance, opportunity and support for those with HIV/AIDS.”

Research has shown that faith-based organizations have lowered the barriers of access to health services and have helped those infected not only get the treatment they need but maintain it.

An African proverb says, “Wisdom is like a baobab tree. No one person can embrace it.”  World Relief and church partners together build communities of nonjudgmental support for reducing HIV transmission and treatment, significantly contributing to the 2019 World AIDS Day theme, “Communities Make the Difference.” Working with the church has proven to be one of the most effective networks for raising both awareness and support. 

”HIV is still the leading cause of death around the world among women of reproductive age in developing countries,” said Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief. “This is why at World Relief we are committed to providing full and complete information to youth about sex and HIV risk, enabling them to make wise choices. Our couples’ training and Families for Life program promotes mutual respect, honor and faithfulness, and Biblical training, to enable behavior change.” 

World Relief has worked in HIV/AIDS for more than 25 years, starting in Malawi and Swaziland. In the years following the genocide in Rwanda, the HIV prevalence rate was estimated at 13%. World Relief saw a critical need to work with the government, communities, and churches to raise awareness, create support groups and home care for people infected, and care for orphans. World Relief Rwanda’s HIV/AIDS programs reached at least 403,560 people during this critical period.

Today, the “baobab tree” is more fully embraced by communities and churches working together with World Relief, covering South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Malawi, Haiti and Cambodia. 

For more information about how you can help, World Relief’s CEZs and HIV/AIDS prevention work and other projects, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
November 25, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Honors International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

BALTIMORE – World Relief rejects any violence against women, and remains committed to fighting this violence by honoring the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and giving equal opportunity to women through all its programming.  

One in three women has or will face physical abuse or violence during her lifetime – often at the hands of intimate partners. Much of this violence goes unseen, and oftentimes cultural shaming or broken systems contribute to ensuring those who suffer stay silent. To bring awareness, the U.N.’s General Assembly declared November 25 as a day for governments, NGOs and other international organizations to raise awareness of the plight of many women around the world. 

Joanna Kretzer Chun, program resource team director with World Relief, commented: “According to the U.N., the cumulative effect of violence against women of reproductive age has caused more deaths than cancer and results in more ill effects than both malaria and traffic accidents. This is unconscionable. We can and must do better. At World Relief, we believe that women are created in the image of God. We are committed to fighting for a better future for women and girls around the world. We believe our world is a better place when women’s voices are heard, which is why in 2020 we are putting a new emphasis on women’s leadership locally and globally by ensuring they are at the table when decisions about program strategy, design and implementation are being made.”  

During 2018 and 2019, over 11,000 women and men in Malawi and Burundi participated in World Relief’s couple strengthening groups, Families for Life, challenging long held norms that devalue women and improving couple’s communication. In 2018, through World Relief’s Savings for Life program, over 90,000 women gained tools to manage their finances. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, nearly 4,000 youth were trained in sexual and gender-based violence awareness. In Rwanda, World Relief’s partnership with Starbucks empowered 13,000 women to flourish through clean drinking water, healthy homes, safe relationships and economic opportunity. And in FY 2019, 1,179 women and girls were resettled by World Relief through the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program.

“Our programming and services are tailored to alleviate and prevent suffering around the world. Empowering women is one of the first steps to achieving this goal,” commented Jenny Yang, World Relief vice president for advocacy and policy. “Whether in refugee resettlement or through savings groups or Families for Life, when we equip one woman to take ownership of her health, resources and – most importantly – her voice, for herself and her family, that’s where we see flourishing take root.”

For more information about how you can partner with World Relief to empower women around the world, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
November 12, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief Urges SCOTUS to Support Dreamers, Congressional Solution to DACA

Global evangelical humanitarian organization joins USCCB, leading faith & migrant advocacy organizations to sign amicus brief

BALTIMORE, Md. –As the Supreme Court opens oral arguments on three cases related to DACA, World Relief expresses support for the over 700,000 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients around the country and urges a congressional solution to create a legal pathway to citizenship. World Relief has joined the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities, Catholic Charities USA, Catholic Health Association, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), Center for Migration Studies and Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, to file an amicus brief in support of DACA recipients for the court to consider as they listen to arguments.

“For many DACA recipients, America is the only home they have ever known,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “We urge SCOTUS to support the DACA program which has allowed thousands of men and women who came to the U.S. through no choice of their own to have more stability and security in the U.S.”

Though young, DACA recipients are contributing members of America’s communities. As of 2017, 93.3% of DACA-eligible individuals were actively employed, and as of 2019, around the country, DACA recipients pay $5.7 billion in federal taxes, not to mention the $3.1 billion contributed in local and state taxes. 

The three cases in question, Trump v. NAACP, McAleenan v. Vidal, and Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California, address the legality of the administration’s decision to end DACA. Following the hearing in November, a decision is expected from SCOTUS in the spring of 2020.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene, commented: “By choosing not to protect DACA recipients, we would be failing to demonstrate moral leadership by caring for all members of our community. Many DACA recipients have contributed tremendously to our country. We urge Congress to pass legislation like the DREAM Act to protect DACA recipients.”

Though President Trump has previously expressed willingness to compromise and create a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, bipartisan legislation such as the DREAM Act remains pending. World Relief urges Congress and the president to act now to create a legislative solution.

To learn more about DACA and the DREAM Act, visit World Relief’s blog. For more information about how you can help, World Relief’s refugee resettlement work and other projects, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
November 4, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

President Trump Signs FY 2020 Presidential Determination, World Relief Responds

BALTIMORE, Md. – Late Friday night, the president signed the Fiscal Year 2020 Presidential Determination, setting the cap for refugee arrivals at the lowest level in U.S. history – 18,000. World Relief, the National Association of Evangelicals’ humanitarian arm and a refugee resettlement agency, remains dedicated to their commitment to serve and protect those seeking refuge in the U.S.

“While we’re grateful to the administration for putting back into motion the refugee arrival processes that have stalled for a whole month, we continue to advocate resettlement levels commensurate with the global need,” said Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief. “We will continue to serve those in our care with joy, but we mourn the lives who will not find a haven from the many global conflicts as a result of this reduction in the refugee ceiling.”

Due to the delay in signing the Presidential Determination, October 2019 marked the first month in nearly 30 years in which zero refugees were resettled, according to World Relief’s records. The previous average refugee arrivals for the last five Octobers by all refugee agencies have been 4,945.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene, commented: “We remain concerned for the persecuted religious minorities who will not be allowed into the U.S. in FY 2020. From 2016-2019, the number of Christian refugees resettled from 50 countries on the Open Doors USA World Watch List plummeted by 64.8%. We believe the cap’s 5,000 reserved spots in 2020 for persecuted religious minorities grossly underestimates the global need and forfeits the U.S.’s urgent responsibility to provide global leadership in this area.”

For more information about how you can help, World Relief’s refugee resettlement work and other projects, visit worldrelief.org.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
October 24, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734

World Relief to Implement Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience Trust Fund Project in South Sudan

Group to lead working group including CARE, Danish Refugee Council and Mercy Corps

BALTIMORE, Md. – World Relief was recently awarded a grant from the new Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF) for South Sudan. World Relief will lead a consortium including CARE, Danish Refugee Council and Mercy Corps in this two-year, $5.2 million grant focused on Koch County, South Sudan, which will directly affect 3,070 beneficiaries and 77,886 indirect beneficiaries. This project is the first to be funded through this new trust fund and is expected to be a model which can be extended to other counties as implementation of the peace process continues.

The 2018 revitalized peace agreement brought about a notable decrease in political violence as a result of the conflict across South Sudan. Localized insecurity such as revenge killings, intra-communal fighting and sexual violence, however, have continued or even increased. Program partners in Koch conducted participatory field research in which residents identified gaps in the lack of rule of law, limited options for youth, continued ethnic division, gender disparity and the lack of basic services. Following the assessment and consultation with the Area Reference Group, four humanitarian partners proposed strategic interventions to facilitate reconciliation, increase stability and encourage resiliency in Koch County. 

These partners – World Relief, CARE, Danish Refugee Council and Mercy Corps – bring both a wealth of technical expertise to the project, but also years of experience of operating in Koch and local relationships. While the project’s efforts are focused in Koch, it is with the understanding that the stability of this location has implications for the surrounding areas. The partners will coordinate with other stakeholders, including United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and government actors, for key activities such as protection and access to justice.

 “We are honored to work side-by-side with some of the wisest and most talented in the industry to meet these pressing needs,” commented World Relief president Scott Arbeiter.

The project is designed to achieve the following key outcomes:

1. Individuals, particularly children and women, are facing less violence at the community and local level. 

2. Communities have effective mechanisms in place that meaningfully include women and youth to resolve conflicts peacefully.

3. Justice sector actors are more effectively delivering justice, even in areas with previously limited or no judicial infrastructure.  

4. Community resilience is strengthened through increased economic opportunities and sustainable livelihoods.

To realize these outcomes, a broad range ofactivities will be used to meet the identified needs related to reconciliation, stabilization and resiliency. Local justice mechanisms (chiefs’ courts) will be supported to provide appropriate and inclusive access to justice and referrals for higher crimes. A secondary school, second chance education center and youth vocational skills center will be established to give opportunities for disaffected youth who might otherwise turn to violence. Resilient livelihoods, particularly for women, will be supported, including the development of two key value chains. The lives of women and girls will also be improved through activities around gender and sexual violence. Housing, land and property (HLP) issues will addressed as a key concern for potential returnees. Peace committees will be formed to negotiate intra- and inter-communal violence and improve stability.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.