As the war in Ukraine enters into its fourth week, Columbus advocates who work closely with refugees are urging Americans not to forget other ongoing crises around the world.
The Russian invasion that started on Feb. 24 provoked swift condemnation by the international community and a series of sanctions. But conflicts outside Europe that also are causing large-scale death, destruction and displacement haven’t been treated the same way, according to Dr. Seleshi Asfaw, president of Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS).
ETSS is a Columbus-based social service agency that offers employment, health and other programs to new American communities. Working on a daily basis with immigrant residents from war-torn regions, Asfaw said he has been disheartened by the lack of attention that Western media and governments are paying to conflicts in other countries.
“Many of us have watched in horror with the latest crisis in Ukraine, but serious human rights violations are also occurring in other countries in Asia, in the Middle East, in Africa,” said Asfaw, who originally is from Ethiopia. “When I compare how the international community reacted and mobilized in each case, I see a lot of racism and discrimination.”
Nadia Kasvin, the founder of a local resettlement agency called US Together, came from Ukraine to the United States as a refugee 28 years ago and has been advocating for the swift relocation of eligible Ukrainian refugees amidst the war. She, too, is calling on the U.S. government to pay attention to people outside Europe who are suffering from humanitarian crises.
“There are so many conflicts going on affecting so many people, not just white Europeans,” Kasvin said. “Yes, Ukrainian refugees are waiting years to get resettled here, but there are people waiting even longer to come here. We can’t just focus on Ukraine and forget everyone else.”
Here are some of the major world conflicts – besides the war in Ukraine – that are causing violent deaths, widespread displacement, as well as fear and anxieties among Columbus-area residents who immigrated from these countries.
