Inside ARC - 3.10.17 - Drought Response in Somalia

Hello jay, Thank you for being a part of American Refugee Committee. We're so grateful to have you by our side.  There's a lot happening in the world right now, and like always, there's good and then there's bad. And at ARC, we focus on both - responding to some of the world's most tragic crises while also celebrating the incredible people that make up our universe.  Read more below. And as always, thank you so much for your continuing support.  -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Drought Response in Somalia  + ARC is one of the few international organizations responding to the terrible drought happening right now in Somaliland. We’re working with teams on the ground from our offices in Sool and Sanaag, seeking out families who are the worst affected by the drought and in immediate need of food and clean water. This past month alone, the Somalia team was able to provide life-saving food relief and clean, safe water to 900 families in the region who have been displaced from their homes. The crisis is growing, and many people say this is the most prolonged dry spell in the region since the 1970s. The funds used to pay for this relief were donated, personally, by members of the Somalia team. Their generosity is inspiring. The team’s donations provided clean water and purchased a food basket for each family of rice (25kg), sugar (25kg), flour (25kg), oil (5kg) and powdered milk - enough for a family of 6 for one month. The team in Somalia will continue to reach out vulnerable families, reaching as many people as possible. + UPDATE: ARC in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement  + Ongoing conflict and increasing violence in South Sudan has caused Bidi Bidi refugee settlement in Uganda to practically spring up overnight. More than 270,000 South Sudanese refugees have settled in Bidi Bidi, taking the settlement from Population 0 to the second largest refugee camp in the world in just a few short months. ARC’s Response Team has worked day and night to support these new refugees - including post-trauma counseling, violence prevention, and helping run the reception center that processes new arrivals. They are now working in partnership with ARC’s South Sudan team to develop a cross-border health response to refugees in crisis. Recently, the team was recognized by the UN for a series of quick-impact projects they completed, which were focused on improving local social service infrastructure and supporting extremely vulnerable individuals. More quick-impact projects are currently being implemented to do the doable in Bidi Bidi, while continuing work on the larger crisis. + Celebrating International Women's Day + This Wednesday was International Women’s Day. And from Pakistan to Somalia, Congo to Sudan, ARC staff celebrated the power of women to be leaders in change. But perhaps some of the most boisterous of the celebrations happened in Bidi Bidi, Uganda, site of the world’s fastest growing refugee camp. A women’s group called Jun Ngara Ka Yi (“God be with us”) gathered together dozens of women to sing, dance, and celebrate in traditional South Sudanese style. You can watch - and listen to - the party here.   + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/give

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Inside ARC - 1.25.17 - Bidi Bidi

Hello jay, Thank you for being a part of American Refugee Committee! We couldn’t do this without you.  As we kick off the New Year, we’re reflecting on all the work we’ve done together, and all the work still yet to do. 2016 was both an incredible year and a tough one - a time that you stepped up for people around the world and a time when we faced some of the toughest humanitarian challenges we’ve ever seen. Those challenges still exist. But as we look forward to 2017, we’re strengthened by the fact that we’ll face them, together.  Since the New Year brings new beginnings, I thought I’d take this time to share some personal insight on the work we do, some moments we’re proud of, and some of the work we’re doing as we hit the ground running in 2017.  Thank you – from everyone at ARC – for your continuing support.  -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + The Abundance of Everyday People  + In December, Changemakers from all over the world gathered to celebrate, hatch new ideas, and share stories of meaningful change at ARC’s annual Changemakers Ball. And my remarks this year were a bit different than other years. I spoke about the abundance of everyday people, the incredible things that we do for one another. For those of you who were unable to attend, I’ve provided a place to listen here: https://soundcloud.com/arc-relief/daniel-changemakers-ball. + Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement - an Untold Story of the Global Refugee Crisis + As thousands of South Sudanese refugees stream across the border into the northern Ugandan town of Bidi Bidi, makeshift shelters are springing up across the once sleepy countryside.   For the past several months, violence and conflict have forced thousands of South Sudanese to seek refuge in northern Uganda. This is quickly becoming one of the largest refugee crises in the world. There are now more than 270,000 refugees who have found shelter in Bidi Bidi, a once sleepy town that now sees thousands more refugees arriving every day, late into the night. ARC has stepped up to help. We provide counseling and support to those who have experienced extreme trauma, and ensure that families are connected to the services they need. The team there is some of the hardest working around – they stayed through the holidays, not taking even a single day to rest. And there are so many truly incredible volunteers on our team who are on their own in their communities, dedicated to helping their neighbors. This is a story of Ugandans doing extraordinary things for refugees. Stay tuned for more as we continue to work on the front line of this crisis.  + What We're Proud Of + Every year we ask our staff to reflect on the previous year and pick one thing they’re most proud of - and every year the response is truly incredible. We’ll be sharing these thoughts more broadly, but I wanted to highlight a few of them here:  From Igor Radonjic, Water, Sanitation, and Shelter Technical Advisor: "I’m most proud of ARC building the Mahama refugee camp in Rwanda, providing home for 50,000+ refugees from Burundi. With Mahama, we were instrumental in responding to one of the major refugee crises in the world."  From Deborah Nalumu HR Manager in Uganda:  "I’m most proud of ARC Uganda for hosting the first ever Changemakers event in Kampala, where we honored the winners of our ideas competition for youth in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Its success made me proud."  Arafa Sheikhmusa, Admin and HR Manager in Sudan:  "I feel proud and grateful when I see how the Uganda team is supporting our South Sudanese refugees in Bidi Bidi – it makes me think that they are a part of us and our brothers and sisters." + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/give

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Inside ARC - 12.16.16 - Syria Emergency

Hello jay, I have an update on the humanitarian situation in Syria. Fighting has destroyed the city of Aleppo, devastating families and causing terrible suffering. It has sent people fleeing – some have evacuated to Turkey while others look for safety in other parts of Syria. Meanwhile fighting continues elsewhere, including near the city of Homs. Our relief teams are there in Homs, receiving thousands of women, children and elderly who have fled the violence and are seeking a safe place.  Please read on to learn about the needs and what we’re doing… Thank you for your continuing support of refugees. -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + The Needs + Our relief teams in Homs are right now receiving families fleeing Aleppo. But rather than the 4,000 people who were supposed to arrive, more than 17,000 have come! They are women, children, elderly and wounded. The team is hustling, their first priority is to find safe shelter for everyone – four walls and a roof to get people out of the freezing rains (it’s currently 39 degrees Fahrenheit in Homs). The refugees in Homs need everything. Some have arrived wounded and need medical attention. To keep warm through the winter night, they need blankets, generators, 800 heaters, 700 propane gas tanks, and plastic sheeting. Most fled with nothing so they need food(rice, oil, flour, beans) and pots, pans and cookstoves to prepare the food. And of course, they’ll need clean water, hygiene items, toilet buckets and more. This is what is needed now, urgently. They’ll need additional support in the coming weeks. + What We're Doing + Our teams are on the ground in Homs and focused on getting families settled in safe locations as soon as possible. They’re looking for shelters that, although very basic, will provide families some protection. And they’re locating whatever medical and relief supplies and food they can get into the city and to these refugee families.  The team is also working to winterize shelters that house refugee families in Homs and throughout Syria before the bitter winter cold finally sets in. Providing extra blankets and mattresses, sealing up walls and windows to keep out the wind and cold, the team is upgrading these buildings that were not originally intended for living quarters. + 2016 Donations + There’s just two weeks left for those in the United States to make 2016 tax-deductible donations. This year has been a very challenging year for refugees, and we’ve been so grateful for the generous support the ARC community has given to help families from Syria to South Sudan.  If you haven’t had a chance to make a donation this year but you’d like to, you can give online now at: www.ARCrelief.org/give . Or to support our team in Syria, give at www.ARCrelief.org/donatesyria . Or visit www.arcrelief.org/ways-of-giving/ to see a variety of ways to give and support ARC and our work with refugees around the world.

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Inside ARC - 11.2.16 - Responding for South Sudanese

Hello jay, Thank you for being a part of ARC. We couldn’t do this without you!   We have several exciting things happening in and around ARC right now that I’d like to share with you, including a first of its kind event in Uganda. The event took place in Kampala, where we honored refugee youth from Nakivale Refugee Settlement who had brilliant ideas for how to make our world a better place. I was honored to meet those youth and the hundreds of other Ugandans and influencers who gathered there. Read more below.  And as always, thank you so much for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Intervention in Gulu, Uganda for South Sudanese Refugees + The past several months have been difficult for the people of South Sudan. Besieged by surges of violence and political instability, thousands of South Sudanese have fled their country, many of them seeking refuge in neighboring countries. In response to this crisis, we’re sending teams to Gulu in northern Uganda to better understand the situation and see what we can do to help. Stay tuned for more updates on this intervention. + Gala in Kampala, Uganda, to Honor Refugee Youth + On Friday October 21st, we did something we’ve never done before – we hosted a large-scale gala in one of our country programs! And, it was a huge success. In Kampala, we joined Ugandan Leaders and ARC staff from around the globe to honor 13 refugee youth from Nakivale Refugee Settlement who are showing us what it is like to dream big and believe you can be a Changemaker. These 13 refugees were the winners of a youth ideas competition we held in Nakivale. Many special guests celebrated with us that night, including refugee Olympians, the Ugandan business community, the Office of the Prime Minister, and more. It was truly an incredible night – I felt privileged to be there.   The 13 winners of the youth ideas competition are all smiles as they receive their awards at the Changemakers Gala in Kampala.   + What I'm buying: The Maker's Collection + I can't tell you how excited we are for this year's Maker's Collection. Are you familiar with it? It all began a few years ago when our staff sat down with some of the most sought after U.S.-based artisans to design a custom, limited collection of gifts. The gifts really are stunning, and what's more, each purchase goes directly toward supporting ARC' programs around the world. You can view the entire collection and pre-order here: www.shopmakers.org. I'll be shopping the Collection for the holidays – I’ve personally got my eye on this Woven Thai Necktie by Mill City Fineries. The Collection will officially launch at ARC's annual Changemakers Ball on December 2nd! Get tickets here: http://www.changemakersball.org/  + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC - 10.6.16 - Heroes in Aleppo, Afghan Refugee Students

Hello jay, Thank you for being a part of ARC. People like you make our work possible!  This month I’ve been finding inspiration in many forms – from within ARC and in other people and places around the world. I wanted to share some of these inspirations with you. Take a look below.  Thank you so much for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Everyday Heroes Saving Lives in Aleppo, Syria + As aid convoys from the UN struggle to reach Aleppo, a city under siege for so long, the situation can sometimes seem hopeless. I’m here to tell you that it’s absolutely not. Right now, our teams in Syria are in Aleppo, providing critically needed food support to people living on the brink. They’re truly the everyday heroes of this crisis, working behind the scenes to save every life they can. I simply cannot understate how inspiring I find them to be. If you'd like to support the team, you can do so here. + Afghan Refugee Youth Achieving the Extraordinary + One of the things that most inspired me is something our Country Director in Pakistan, Tariq Cheema, shared with me.  It’s a photo of 120 young medical students taking their term exam in Islamabad. They’re a part of our medical training program for young Afghan refugees in Pakistan. What’s extraordinary about this photo is that in many ways, these students could be any group of young people around the world – steadfastly concentrating, ties loosened, bent over their papers. But this image also represents a hopeful future for some of the most marginalized communities in the country. They’ll return to their homes – as medical assistants, pathologists, radiologists – and pursue a life of opportunity, a future with potential. (This program is made possible with funding from the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at the U.S. State Department.)  Afghan refugee youth, enrolled in ARC's one year medical technicians program, sit their term exams.   + A Deeply Beautiful Story + I recently watched a truly moving Ted talk, one that I wanted to share with you. It’s by a fellow named Martin Pistorius - a man who reminds us that people are truly wondrous. His is a story about people finding the unique and beautiful gift they have to give, despite the odds.  In many ways, Martin echoes some of the things that refugees say about feeling nonexistent, explaining that he felt “completely powerless to change anything in my life.” Yet simple acts of kindness and fleeting moments of human connection transformed his life and allowed him to keep going. I hope you find this as incredible as I do.  https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_pistorius_how_my_mind_came_back_to_life_and_no_one_knew#t-716132 + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC 8.25.16 - Celebrating World Humanitarian Day

Hello jay, Thank you for being a part of ARC. People like you make our work possible! Here's the latest update on what we're up to. Thank you so much for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + World Humanitarian Day + Last Friday, we celebrated World Humanitarian Day with our teams around the world. Each and every day our staff work in challenging environments to bring quality service to those who need it most. From being the largest distributor of food on the streets of Aleppo, Syria to being one of the first NGOs to operate inside Mogadishu, Somalia, we are continuously amazed by the energy and empathy of our staff. They work tirelessly in ever-changing crises. We asked our teams “In three words what does humanitarianism mean to you?”  Here are some of the responses we received: “Sacrifice, passion and patience.” – Abdiqafar, Somalia “Humility in service.” – Jacques, Rwanda “Always ready to help.” – Mama Jose, DRC “Dignity. Love. Giving life.” – Arafa, Sudan We also wanted to thank YOU! As an ARC supporter, you make it possible for us to reach the most difficult places. You are our partner in this work and a true humanitarian yourself. Thank you for standing by us.  Staff in Jordan write messages of encouragement to colleagues in Syria and Sudan + Nakivale Child Protection Office Makeover + Our team in Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda is finding out what is possible with a little resource and a lot of creativity. They’ve been hard at work brainstorming what can be done with just $500 and a mentality of doing the doable. Across Nakivale, you can see these small changes that are making a big difference. The ARC Child Protection Office stands out with its freshly painted exterior. Walk inside and you will see an even more colorful space, filled with toys and cartoon-painted walls. It’s all about creating an environment where kids feel safe to share and where they may even play while their parents receive information, counseling and guidance next door at the counseling center. The office now offers a refreshing change from what it once was. And, the excitement of the team is palpable. By looking beyond their limitations, they were able to bring new value to the people we serve. Harriet shows off the newly updated Child Protection Office in Nakivale + Groundbreaking on 3rd Asili Zone + Asili, our social enterprise in Eastern DRC is expanding once again! We launched the first zone in July 2014 in rural Buhanga. This past March, we launched a second zone in a semi-rural area. And now, this summer, we’ve broken ground on our third Asili zone. Each Asili location is being tested in a different economic setting. Located in Mudaka, this zone will service a busy market town that sees frequent car and foot traffic. Set to open this November, the third zone will bring a clinic, rehabilitated water system and agricultural cooperative to Mudaka.  Construction on the third Asili zone in Mudaka   + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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Inside ARC 8.8.16 - Former Refugee Travels to Jordan to Meet Syrian Refugees, Organic Gardening in Pakistan and 2016 Changemakers Competition

Hello jay, Thank you so much for being a part of ARC. People like you make our work possible! Here's the latest update on what we're up to. Thank you so much for your continuing support.   -Daniel Daniel Wordsworth, President ***********************************************  + Lost Boy Meets Survivors of the current Global Refugee Crisis + Over the past few months, we’ve sent teams out to Uganda, Kenya, Germany, Jordan, Turkey, and Greece to talk with refugees from Syria but also refugees from around the world. We wanted to see firsthand the complexity of this crisis and listen to the stories of those who are experiencing it every day of their lives. We had a conversation with David Acuoth who joined our team in Jordan. David is a former refugee from Sudan and was resettled in the US as part of the Lost Boys and Girls Resettlement Program. He earned his master’s degree in Minnesota and now lives in Washington D.C. working as a Congressional Staffer.  When reflecting on his trip, David noted, “The biggest takeaway from this trip is that we need to rethink how we do things. How we help refugees.” He had the chance to speak to many Syrian refugees and said, “It was amazing to me that this experience that I had, when I was in a very dark place, can now help someone else get out of that dark place. This moment doesn’t have to define the rest of their lives.”  You can read more about David’s experience here.  + Organic Gardening in Pakistan + In Pakistan, students in our education program have been exercising their green thumb. They’ve been learning to use organic growing methods for fruits and vegetables on the land surrounding the school. From seed sowing through to harvesting, the students grew a hearty crop of squash. The gardening activity taught the students that using their current surroundings can earn them extra pocket money and help them provide healthy food for their family. Young students show off their success in gardening + Changemakers Idea Competition + After weeks of idea submissions, we have come to the close of this year’s Changemakers Competition. It's an ideas competition with our staff around the world. We ask one simple question and provide the platform for their ideas to pour in.  In one simple way, how can I make the people I serve feel more valued, joyful or powerful? This year, we received over 1,600 ideas from our global staff! It's been the biggest year yet with over 3 times as many ideas as last year! This year we saw more energy than ever before - teams around the world gathered for ideation sessions, shared ideas and photos via WhatsApp and encouraged each other on ARC social media. From the beaches of Kismayo to the jungles of Thailand, we were so inspired to see ideas from each and every one of our country programs. We are excited by this incredible growth and can't wait to share some of the ideas with you. Follow the action in the coming weeks as we preview the Top Ten ideas here.  ARC staff after an ideas session in Kismayo, Somalia   + Engage + We're sharing photos, video and stories on social media. Join the conversation. Friend us! --- http://www.Facebook.com/arcrelief Follow us! --- http://www.twitter.com/arcrelief Subscribe! --- http://www.youtube.com/chriskatarc Check us out! --- http://www.instagram.com/arcrelief Donate! --- http://www.ARCrelief.org/donate   Call Send SMS Add to Skype You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

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