Tucson preps for Afghan refugees

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – “We have been trying to get things moving now, so we’re ready, not if, but when,” said Steve Kozachik, Tucson City Councilor.

Tucson is currently working on finalizing plans to ensure a smooth transition for Afghan refugees who will arrive in Arizona in the coming weeks.

Each refugee will arrive at a military base in Phoenix before being transported to a base in southern Arizona. After that, each family will receive a check for $ 1,250 to be paid by the federal government.

“It’s not per month, it’s not per person, it’s a flat fee, it doesn’t go very far when it comes to food, clothing, accommodation, transportation and all the other things you need to live,” said Kozachik . “Housing is the number one topic”

Kozachik says he is aware of the current housing crisis for people already living in southern Arizona and wants to make sure the refugee community doesn’t interfere with their housing searches.

“We didn’t want to buy single-family houses,” said Kozachik. “What was wanted is host families that relatives visit, where they can go and feel welcome.”

The city hopes that by providing host families, the Tucson Afghan community will alleviate housing needs. He says they might culturally make the transition to living in the States a little easier, but says it will still be a difficult transition.

“Flip the coin and put us in this state,” said Kozachik. “If you and I were to travel to Afghanistan, we wouldn’t know the language, we wouldn’t know how to get around and we wouldn’t have any contacts.”

He urges the public to remember that refugees are people.

“If you’re one of those people who lose family members and just got out, that’s still very fresh in the rear-view mirror,” Kozachik said.

Kozachik believes the first 25 refugees will be just the tip of the iceberg and expects Arizona as a whole could soon be hosting 2,000 Afghan refugees. He says he will meet with Tucson animal shelters and others tomorrow to further discuss logistics.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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