Afghan Refugees Arrive in Colorado - El Comercio de Colorado

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS JOIN TO RECEIVE THEM

El Comercio de Colorado Newsroom

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Refugee families fleeing chaos in Afghanistan have begun arriving in Colorado. Sources from the Colorado Department of Human Services confirm that some people have arrived, however they could not share a specific number or their location. Presently, refugees are being cared for by three agencies which are finding for them temporary housing and employment, as well as providing them with food.

These refugees will also receive a health exam in the first days of their arrival. “We do a head-to-toe physical exam and screen them for normal problems that a lot of people in the United States have,” said Janine Young, medical director of the Denver Health Refugee Clinic. This clinic is one of five medical programs in the state which performs comprehensive reviews and health screenings for refugees.

Young says many of the refugees they examine have never been to a primary care setting. However, Young assures that Afghan refugees arriving through the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program have generally had better access to medical care through their work with the US government, and that caring for refugees early in their resettlement process enables them to lay the foundation for regular medical care.

Non-Profit Organizations’ Work

The Colorado Department of Human Services is coordinating its aid efforts with representatives of the African Community Center, Lutheran Family Services, and International Rescue Committee. In a joint press conference, spokespersons for these organizations explained that they are not sure how many more families arriving from Afghanistan they will help. They are preparing for the arrival of more people from that country.

“We have been ramping up volunteers. It’ll be a challenge, but we’re up to it, and I think we are prepared,” said Jaime Koehler Blanchardof Lutheran Family Services. Victoria Francis from the International Rescue Committee added, “We are working with community partners and volunteers. We want to ensure that our staff has the support they need to continue receiving the people set to arrive.”