Refugee Needs in Down Economy
I just read an opinion article in the local newspaper. Its title, “Let’s Not Neglect Refugees’ Needs” is a great reminder. The article is also nicely done.
During good times it’s relatively easy to find employment for recently arrived refugees. Afterall, the types of jobs they are willing to take are often those that the average person would not want. But, during down times it can be hard to find employment and to even keep employment. The competition from the native population is stronger and language barriers may cause difficulties.
While refugees are generally survivors by nature, our role in resettlement is to help them become (and stay) self-sufficient. This increases the awareness of our own needs to help them in a way that provides lasting results. We cannot always predict which jobs are going to last, but we can teach a base of knowledge to help them get through the problems when they arise.
