Press Release

September 21, 2021

CONTACT:
Audrey Garden
lauren.carl@pinkston.co
571-405-1606

BALTIMORE – Yesterday, the Biden administration reaffirmed the president’s commitment to set the refugee ceiling for Fiscal Year 2022 at 125,000. World Relief welcomes this increase to the refugee ceiling, which comes at a time when the world is facing the greatest refugee crisis at any time in recorded history, but calls on the administration to do more to strengthen its refugee and asylum programs to protect any individual seeking protection from persecution

“While 125,000 is the highest refugee ceiling since President George H. W. Bush set the ceiling at 142,000 for Fiscal Year 1993, we believe this increase in and of itself is not sufficient to provide true protection to those fleeing persecution. We must invest resources in rebuilding the resettlement program and also increasing capacities overseas to process those waiting to enter the United States. This includes providing protection to at-risk Afghans, Uyghurs facing religious persecution, Hong Kongers seeking freedom, and others who remain in dangerous situations overseas, ” said World Relief Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy Jenny Yang. “While the 125,000 ceiling for FY2022 is short of our ask of 200,000 refugees we believe the United States can and should admit in FY2022, we urge the Biden administration to welcome as close to 125,000 refugees as possible while also upholding our commitments to provide protection to those arriving to our border.”  

As the recent withdrawal of U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and subsequent evacuation demonstrated, the U.S. refugee admissions program is a necessary and vital tool to not only protect our allies but also those facing violence and persecution. The United States must continue to strengthen the U.S. refugee resettlement program to not only help Afghans but also others fleeing violence and persecution. The administration must also commit more resources and institute reforms to the program to ensure we can reach the goal of resettling 125,000 refugees in FY22 while also fully supporting refugee integration as they arrive in the United States. “As most of the Afghans arriving to the United States are parolees, we urge both the administration and Congress to provide the necessary governmental support to allow Afghan parolees access to benefits and the ability to adjust status once in the United States,” said Jenny Yang at World Relief.

“World Relief has partnered with the U.S. State Department as well as with thousands of local churches and tens of thousands of volunteers since the 1970s to welcome approximately 300,000 refugees,” said World Relief President and CEO Myal Greene. “We’re eager and ready to welcome more individuals who have fled persecution in their countries of origin, whether they are Afghans or Iraqis persecuted for their service to the U.S. military, those persecuted for their faith, those fleeing repressive authoritarian regimes or others who qualify under U.S. law.”

Protection for those seeking refuge in the United States is offered not just through our U.S. refugee resettlement program but through asylum at our U.S. borders. As the United States increases its annual refugee ceiling in FY2022, World Relief is concerned with the denial of due process to Haitians and others who are currently seeking asylum along the U.S.-Mexico border, many of whom are being expelled to countries of origin without being allowed to present requests for asylum. Even as World Relief welcomes those processed for refugee status abroad, we also believe that our country must respect U.S. laws that offer asylum to those who reach our country and can demonstrate a credible fear of persecution. World Relief works through local church partners in various parts of Haiti to address the troubling conditions that have led many to flee, exacerbated by the recent earthquake in Les Cayes, and we also are eager to partner with churches in the U.S. to welcome those seeking asylum who are allowed into the U.S. to await their court hearings. 

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief 

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable. Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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September 3, 2021

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

Yesterday, World Relief joined forces with Women of Welcome and We Welcome Refugees to host a virtual Prayer and Action Town Hall, an event that focused on responses to the crises in both Afghanistan and Haiti.

Over 1,350 participants pre-registered for the town hall and many more tuned in on Facebook. The town hall featured speakers such as bestselling Christian author Ann Voskamp, World Relief President and CEO Myal Greene, and Women of Welcome Director Bri Stensrud.

The event was sponsored by World Relief, Women of Welcome and We Welcome Refugees. Each of the partners is engaging in additional response efforts: World Relief is leading an on-the-ground response to the earthquake in Haiti and resettling Afghans in various communities. We Welcome Refugees is sharing an advocacy tool to encourage governors to welcome Afghan refugees to their state, and has produced guides for engagement on the Afghanistan issue and Haiti response. Women of Welcome recently launched a new Bible study focused on “Bold and Brave” responses to refugees and other vulnerable immigrants that has already been downloaded more than 10,000 times.

Myal Greene, World Relief president and CEO, commented:

“I began my tenure as president and CEO of World Relief one day after Kabul fell to the Taliban and two days after Haiti was rocked by yet another devastating earthquake. As heartbreaking as the past few weeks have been, I am grateful for World Relief’s incredible staff, volunteers, partner churches and donors who have already come together and provided emergency shelter to more than 1,200 Haitian families, resettled hundreds of Afghans into communities throughout the United States and advocated for more just policies for our most vulnerable neighbors. Undergirding those efforts is a deep commitment to prayer, which is why we’re glad to have been able to host this town hall focused on both prayer and action.”

Ann Voskamp, author of four NewYork Times bestsellers, commented:

“Why should we care about Haiti and Afghanistan? Why does God care? Because those in need are our own family, and oppressed people are our people. Everyone is our own flesh and blood. Our theology is best expressed in our hospitality. As we sacrificially give, we are showing hospitality to God himself. Christ doesn’t identify with the power brokers, he identifies with the broken. If we persist in staying silent at a time of injustice and crisis, our own family will die. Our own Jesus died for more justice and shalom than this. There is hope for healing, for justice and for shalom to reign. A whole world of people will decide who Jesus is by who we are right now, and we get to be shalom makers in this world.”

Bri Stensrud, director of Women of Welcome, commented:

“Evangelical women are, like so many Americans, heartbroken by the devastation in Afghanistan and in Haiti, and our faith compels us to be a part of the solution. Women are mobilizing their church communities to respond to both crises and striving to practice Christlike welcome for Afghans who have begun arriving and are likely to arrive in larger numbers in the weeks to come.”

Jenny Yang, World Relief senior vice president of advocacy and policy, commented:

“Even as we eagerly begin welcoming Afghans who were able to be evacuated to rebuild their lives in the U.S., we’re not giving up on our advocacy for the tens of thousands of individuals still in Afghanistan whose lives are at risk under the Taliban. As a nation, we have a moral obligation to stand with those facing persecution, particularly for those whose lives and whose families’ lives are threatened because of their service to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.”

Matthew Soerens, World Relief U.S. director of church mobilization and advocacy, commented:  

“At the heart of the reason that Christians are concerned both with the plight of Afghans fleeing the Taliban and with Haitians rebuilding after a devastating earthquake is Jesus’ commandment to love our neighbors as ourselves, a mandate that Jesus makes clear applies to vulnerable people in need who may not share our nationality or religion. Through both prayer and tangible actions, Christians are mobilizing in remarkable ways to care for their Afghan and Haitian neighbors.” 

James Misner, World Relief senior vice president of strategic engagement, commented:

“The response from local churches and individual Christians to both the earthquake in Haiti and to the evacuation and resettlement of Afghan allies has been absolutely overwhelming. In the midst of the darkness of these crises, Christians throughout the country are stepping up, giving sacrificially, offering their time as volunteers and their influence as advocates. And yet the need is greater still, so we’re thankful for today’s call to sustained prayer and action.”

Rick Everswick, Global Director, Hill Country Bible Church, Austin, Texas, commented:

“At our church, as in congregations throughout the United States, we’ve watched the devastating images of chaos in Kabul as vulnerable Afghans have sought to flee the Taliban. We’re committed to standing with those who were evacuated out and who will eventually be resettled to the US, and to continually stand in prayer and advocacy for those who were left behind. My prayer is that the church would arise in this moment to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus.”

A recording of the Town Hall is available here.

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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September 1, 2021

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

BALTIMORE – The Pentagon confirmed on Monday that the United States completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan, marking an end to a two-decade conflict. The longest war in U.S. history is over, but the lingering effects, especially on vulnerable communities, will be felt on the ground for years to come.  World Relief urges the United States to play a leading role in offering assistance and protection to Afghans left behind and continue efforts to evacuate the estimated 100,000 at-risk Afghans who still remain on the ground. World Relief also urges the international community to welcome and provide assistance and protection for the thousands of Afghans who are fleeing into neighboring countries. Without a clear plan for a continued evacuation process, the United States must continue to offer safety through all means necessary for vulnerable Afghans inside Afghanistan and those forced to flee. 

“We remember the thousands of lives lost in the conflict in Afghanistan, including American service members, Afghan civilians, and others. But the mission is not complete.  The United States and the international community must do the hard work now of protecting and assisting those who cannot remain in Afghanistan safely,” said Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. “We call on the U.S. in particular to welcome and assist Afghan refugees who are being displaced and ensure that we provide the resources and support to help rescue at-risk Afghans abroad and as they arrive in the United States.”

World Relief champions the intrinsic dignity of every human life. Every refugee is a human being made in the image of God and deserving of respect and protection. World Relief deplores the violence in Afghanistan and continues to mourn the loss of life in the recent terrorist attack on Kabul airport as well as the lives lost during the twenty-year conflict. In particular, World Relief honors the 13 U.S. service members who were tragically killed in that attack, and stands in support of the Afghan communities who are grieving the loss and injury of loved ones.

“World Relief commends the bravery and sacrifice of the 13 U.S. service members whose devastating loss is being felt throughout our nation,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “We also stand in solidarity with every Afghan killed or wounded as we pray for peace in Afghanistan. With the completion of the official U.S. withdrawal, we must not forget our commitment to the women, men and children whose lives remain in jeopardy in Afghanistan.”

Across the nation, World Relief staff and volunteers are continuing to work to welcome and serve Afghans who were able to be evacuated and who are now beginning to arrive in the U.S., including more than 360 Afghans welcomed by World Relief in the month of August. Many more are anticipated in the months to come. World Relief is working to foster stability and integration for Afghan refugees building a new life in the U.S.

“We need a compassionate response to the needs of Afghan refugees,” said Greene. “World Relief calls on the church to continue to welcome refugees and provide safety for those who have been forced to flee their country. Every second counts as we work together to bring lasting change to our world.”

To learn more about World Relief, including opportunities to donate, volunteer and advocate, visit https://worldrelief.org/respond/#afghan.

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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August 25, 2021

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

FORT WORTH, Texas — Today, Garrett Pearson was announced as the new office director of World Relief North Texas. Before joining World Relief North Texas, Garrett spent considerable time working with immigrants and refugees both in the U.S. and abroad. In Guatemala’s Santiago Atitlán, Garrett assisted in building a new care home for single mothers and helped with youth development. Prior to joining World Relief, Garrett served as the executive director for City of Refuge in Columbia, Missouri where he worked in fundraising, advocacy advancement and community engagement.

From a young age, Garrett’s hope has been to develop a sense of belonging for every person as they transition into life in the U.S. Garrett’s experiences working in refugee and immigration services have given him a sense of vocation when it comes to building bridges for other people.  This passion is what ultimately led Garrett to World Relief North Texas.

“The opportunity to join World Relief, an organization I’ve loved and wanted to be a part of for so long, gives me the opportunity to use all of my skills and gifts to do what I believe God is calling me to do,” said Pearson. “World Relief’s mission lines up so well with my desire to engage with churches, communities and families to help the vulnerable. Giving people a sense of belonging is a core part of who I am.”

Originally from Central Texas, Garrett holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He also has a Master of Divinity with a focus in Counseling from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. This year, Garrett completed his second Master’s degree, this time in Business Administration from the University of Kansas.

For over 40 years, World Relief North Texas has come alongside refugees and other immigrants in vulnerable situations as they rebuild their lives in the United States. World Relief North Texas’s dedicated staff and volunteers work to empower both the local church, community organizations and individuals to aid refugees and immigrants in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. As the demand for World Relief North Texas’s services has increased in recent years, they have expanded their work beyond refugees to include all immigrants in vulnerable situations.

“I’m really excited about the future of North Texas because I believe there’s a unique opportunity for the church, for Christians and for people in our communities to stand in the gap and to care for the vulnerable,” said Pearson. “Bridge building will be an exciting part of the next few years. Because when we build bridges, we can help each other whenever and wherever there is need.”

Ultimately, Garrett hopes the North Texas community will produce more advocates for the refugee community.

“Whether serving refugees from Afghanistan or Burma or Africa, Garrett is a firm believer in the fact that we can work together to create a place for all of us,” said Jennifer Foy, World Relief vice president of U.S. programs. “He wants North Texas to be known as a place that welcomes the stranger and integrates them into their community.”

To learn more about World Relief North Texas, visit https://worldrelief.org/texas/.

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. We aim to tackle the world’s greatest problems with holistic, locally-driven solutions that lead to lasting change — whether in response to disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression or mass displacement and immigration. World Relief’s work in the United States, specifically, focuses on helping refugees and other immigrants in vulnerable situations rebuild their lives in a new country.

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August 25, 2021

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

BALTIMORE – Given the president’s re-commitment today to fully drawdown U.S. troops by August 31st, World Relief remains deeply concerned about U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (LPRs) and vulnerable Afghans who are at risk of being left behind. Many Afghans put their lives on the line in support of our U.S. mission over the twenty-year conflict only to be turned away at the Kabul airport while trying to be evacuated from Afghanistan in recent weeks. World Relief has been having daily communication with Afghan families in the United States and others who are still stuck in Afghanistan and urges the Biden administration to continue evacuations beyond August 31st.

“The reality is that thousands of women, children and innocent civilians, including some with U.S. citizenship as well as many allies with pending Special Immigrant Visa applications, will be left behind if we do not act immediately to secure their evacuation,” said Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. “World Relief urges the Biden administration to fulfill its promise to the tens of thousands of people who helped the U.S. and risked their families’ lives, in addition to their own, to help our country. We also urge these evacuations to include other vulnerable Afghans, including women leaders, human rights activists, and ethnic and religious minorities.”

As part of the Evacuate Our Allies coalition, World Relief calls on President Biden, who has the legal authority to evacuate our allies and other at-risk Afghans to safety in the U.S., to do everything in his power to evacuate SIVs, LPRs, U.S. citizens and other Afghans no matter how long it takes.

“How we respond to the crisis in Afghanistan will define our generation. A lasting scar will be etched into our nation’s history if the U.S. leaves thousands of Afghans behind to face the ongoing threat of death,” continued Yang. “When it comes to getting Americans out of Afghanistan, President Biden has said that ‘speed is safety’; the same sentiment must be applied to our Afghan allies.”

“Until everyone is brought to safety, we must keep the evacuation going,” said Myal Greene, President and CEO of World Relief. “The Biden administration must do everything in its power to keep its promises to these brave individuals that our nation would offer refuge to those who risked their lives to serve the U.S. missions. We have a moral obligation to protect Afghan lives at this critical hour. To abandon them to the Taliban as part of the schedule set by the Taliban is morally unacceptable.”

World Relief asks that our partners and church community join us in praying for the thousands of women, men and children whose lives are in peril and for the safe evacuation of all U.S. allies and vulnerable populations. And we stand ready to welcome as many as are able to be processed to come into the U.S., alongside thousands of local church and community partners. 

To learn more about World Relief’s response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, visit https://worldrelief.org/respond/.

To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

August 19, 2021

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

BALTIMORE – On Saturday, August 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit southwest Haiti. Port-au-Prince authorities say that at least 2,189 people were killed and 12,668 people were injured. These numbers are expected to rise as rescue crews search through the rubble. The earthquake is the strongest to affect Haiti in recent memory, of a higher magnitude than the devastating earthquake that hit the island in 2010.

“We are devastated by the loss of so many men, women and children. Les Cayes, the epicenter of the earthquake, is a key base of operations for World Relief, and we have deep relationships in that community.  Our hearts break for those grieving the loss of their loved ones or suffering under the weight of uncertainty as homes and communities have been destroyed. I am praying for the men and women I met on my last trip to Les Cayes, and I hope others will join me in praying for the people of Les Cayes,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has declared a one-month state of emergency to mobilize government resources to support victims. World Relief is on the ground in Haiti, providing aid to the hardest-hit areas with a team located in Les Cayes, close to the epicenter of the earthquake.

“We are so grateful that all World Relief staff have been reported safe following the earthquake, though we mourn that many of them lost loved ones in the earthquake,” said Charles Franzen, World Relief humanitarian and disaster response unit director. “But our position on the ground in Haiti means we will be able to jump right into the relief effort that Haitians need. Our teams and volunteers in Les Cayes and elsewhere are ready to organize and lead.”

“World Relief’s Church Empowerment Zones are continuing to serve the most vulnerable in Haiti,” said Esther Pyram, World Relief Haiti’s Integral Mission and Church Empowerment Zone Manager. “During the devastating aftermath of the earthquake, our prayer is that hope would be revived for all as our teams provide relief to affected communities in need.”

​​After a rapid assessment of the situation by the World Relief team on Saturday, World Relief youth volunteers were quickly mobilized to assess the full scope of the damage done by the earthquake. World Relief Haiti’s Area Manager in Les Cayes is attending all humanitarian meetings with the Departmental Center for Emergency Operations, and will coordinate World Relief’s response as it unfolds. 

World Relief’s disaster response manager and other program managers are communicating with humanitarian actors on the ground to prepare for World Relief’s intervention. Doug Anderson, an experienced humanitarian disaster response leader, will arrive in Haiti on Thursday and will assume responsibility for leading this emergency response.

Tropical Storm Grace brought heavy rainfall and flooding to an already earthquake-damaged Haiti on Monday. World Relief is working to make sure that as many lives as possible are spared from the damage done by this tropical storm.

As disasters continue to strike in Haiti, World Relief asks that you continue to pray for the protection and well-being of those affected by the earthquake and storm. Learn more about how you can help: www.worldrelief.org/respond

To learn more about World Relief, visit https://worldrelief.org/.

To download a PDF version of this release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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August 16, 2021

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

BALTIMORE – Following the Taliban takeover of the Afghan capital of Kabul over the weekend, World Relief is concerned about the increasing vulnerability of the Afghan people and urges the international community to provide protection and assistance to those fleeing danger and violence. In addition, World Relief continues to urge the Biden administration to honor the U.S.’s commitment to its allies and immediately evacuate as many Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and other vulnerable Afghans to the U.S. as quickly as possible. 

“We are devastated by what’s happening in Afghanistan and stand with the Afghan people,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “We are acutely aware of the fears and anxiety that the Afghan people feel right now. World Relief is deeply concerned about the many Afghans, including those who assisted U.S. troops, human rights defenders, religious minorities and others, who will be left vulnerable as our troops withdraw. I am praying for peace and the protection of those in Afghanistan right now and ask that others join me in prayer as well.”

World Relief urges the Biden administration to uphold the promise made repeatedly throughout several administrations that Afghans who served with us would be brought to safety in the United States. World Relief believes there is a moral responsibility to safely evacuate our Afghan allies who risked their lives to protect American troops and civilians ahead of the Taliban takeover.

“For the past several months, President Biden has been pressed by human rights groups, faith communities, veterans and bipartisan leaders in Congress to evacuate our Afghan allies as quickly as possible given the imminent drawdown of U.S troops, ” commented Jenny Yang, senior vice president of advocacy and policy at World Relief. “Given the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan and the evacuation of only 2,000 or so SIV applicants, we urge the administration to do everything it can to continue to assist and protect our vulnerable allies and others who face grave danger and violence because of their association with the United States.”

World Relief stands ready and eager to welcome evacuated Afghan refugees and is actively working with our local partners to prepare to welcome as many refugees as possible. The fiscal year 2022 refugee ceiling, which the Biden administration is due to set in the coming weeks, must account for a significant number of Afghan refugees.

“The way we leave Afghanistan will be an enduring mark on our nation’s history,” continued Yang. “ The U.S. should lead a worldwide effort to assist and protect vulnerable Afghans wherever they are, and to help create safe spaces and assistance for those who are forcibly displaced.” 

World Relief asks that our partners and church community join us in praying for peace and for the protection of those in Afghanistan whose lives are in immediate danger, and for a compassionate response to the needs of Afghan refugees. 

To learn more about World Relief, visit https://worldrelief.org/.

To download a PDF version of this release, click here.

About World Relief

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

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