All about the American Refugee Committee

ARC is one of many international humanitarian assistance organizations. And like many others, we work for people suffering as a result of war or disaster. But what makes us different?

Everything ARC does has one thing in common. Anything we do, we do it because our constituents - 2 million refugees and displaced people - tell us that it's something they need to get back on their feet.

So, that has us doing a lot of different things. Providing health care (from vaccinations to emergency childbirth delivery), building shelters, drilling wells for clean water, digging latrines, rebuilding schools and clinics, and giving micro loans of $40 or $50 are just a few of the things we do.

We work in 9 countries around the world - Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan (including Darfur), Rwanda, Uganda, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand. But what we do is different in each place. Different according to the needs of our constituents.

Check out our website or visit us on MySpace and learn more about what the American Refugee Committee is all about.

A New Beginning, at 82. Murekezi Simeon finds new hope later in life

When violence reached their village in the DRC, Murekezi Simeon and his wife had no choice but to flee their home. Murekezi made it to safety, but his wife did not. He arrived at ARC's camp at Gihembe in Rwanda, traumatized and dejected. Murekezi had lost everything on his journey to safety.

At Gihembe Camp

"I became sickly, because I was inactive. I had no way of buying myself clothing or covering my needs each day." Murekezi, 82, was a farmer all his life. But as a refugee, he had no money and no way of buying the seeds or tools he needed to farm again.

Then, last year, Murekezi and a group of other older men joined ARC's skills training and small grants program. With only $50 in seed money, they began farming again. They learned the skills that are helping their small business thrive. Today, Murekezi and his group are growing vegetable and tree seedlings. Other members of the program have learned to weave bags, make soap and body lotion, repair shoes and grow mushrooms.

A year ago, these people were struggling to survive. Now, they're selling their wares at local markets and providing for their families.

Check out more ARC success stories.

Darfur, Sudan - Uninterrupted violence in the Darfur region of Sudan has resulted in hundreds of thousands of deaths and the flight of more than 2 million Darfuris from their homes.

Guinea - Civil Wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone forced people from their homes and livelihoods to seek refuge in Guinea. Though conflicts in the two countries have waned, the situation is still too tenuous for many people.

Sierra Leone - Conflict throughout West Africa has taken its toll on Sierra Leoneans. The conflict in Sierra Leone ended in 2000, but only after hundreds of thousands had been forced to flee their homes.

Liberia - During the 14 year civil war in Liberia (1989-2003), 700,000 people were killed, more than 300,000 fled the country, and another 500,000 fled to safer areas of the country. But, people are now returning to their homes.

South Sudan - Since independence, southern Sudan has known little but civil war. The most recent conflict began in 1983 and mired the region in extreme poverty and suffering.

Rwanda - ARC devotes its attentions in Rwanda to the stream of refugees fleeing rebel and militia fighting in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and seeking refuge in Rwanda.

Pakistan - ARC works with Afghan refugees who've fled to escape drought, the old Taliban government, and constant conflict and threats. ARC also works with survivors of the October 2005 Earthquake in Northern Pakistan.

Thailand - ARC works with Karen refugees fleeing ongoing persecution by the military regime in Burma. More Karen refugees are arriving each year. ARC also responded to help Thai survivors of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.