Afghan refugees are headed to Tucson

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) – Tucson is preparing to host hundreds of Afghan refugees and local organizers are asking the public for help. Tucson City Councilor Steve Kozachik says Afghan refugees are en route to Tucson and for some of them this will not be the last stop on their journey to the United States

“The first group of refugees will arrive at military bases in the Phoenix area. We know this is not their ultimate goal, they will end up at other refugee relocation agency military bases and with the next of kin. Right now it’s all over the map, ”said Kozachik.

The City of Tucson and other local organizations are preparing to make the transition into American life as smooth as possible. Refugees entering the states by military transport only receive a one-time grant to make ends meet.

“It’s a one-time fee of $ 1,225 and it’s done. That’s for food, clothing, housing, transportation. That won’t go far, right now the greatest need is housing, ”said Kozachik.

The families are expected to arrive in the next few weeks. Between 300 and 500 of the more than 65,000 refugees who travel to the United States will end up in southern Arizona.

“The groups currently involved are Lutheran Social Services, the International Refugee Committee, and I have involved the Tucson Islamic Center,” Kozachik said.

Kozachik tells KGUN 9 that some refugees traveled to the USA on their own. Congressmen are also involved in the process. He also says that people in the area have offered to donate translation services and other goods.

“This is a very vulnerable population, there are obviously language barriers, there are culturally appropriate food needs and culturally appropriate clothing,” said Kozachik.

If you’d like to help, you can donate clothing, long-life groceries, and toys at Kozachik’s Ward 6, 3202 E. 1st Street headquarters. The best time to arrive is Monday-Friday 9 am-12pm

“This is going to be a difficult task and we have to make sure we get it right. We don’t want to invite people who are already traumatized into our community and bring them here and make this trauma worse, ”Kozachik said.

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