Archives 2020

We Stand with the Rohingya Refugees

The Refugee Dream Center firmly joins the global outcry against the relocation of Rohingya refugees to the remote, flood-prone island of Bhasan Char by the government of Bangladesh. This is a reprehensible act, risking the lives of up to a million Rohingya refugees, who have been uprooted and mercilessly persecuted by the government of Myanmar. 

According to Ahmed Mukta, the lead architect of the resettlement site, this new home will be a “paradise” for the Rohingya. This could not be further from the truth. Bhasan Char is a previously uninhabited island that emerged from the sea less than 20 years ago. Over 300 refugees have already been relocated to the island against their will and none are allowed to leave. The low-lying island often becomes partially submerged during monsoon season and is highly vulnerable to cyclones.

This relocation has been short-sighted, inhumane and births a series of human rights concerns. Will refugees be denied freedom to move, have access to education, reliable medical care, and a sustainable livelihood? Without an appropriate assessment of this inhabited and flood prone island, this forced relocation is nothing short of an international human rights violation.

We strongly condemn this decision and invite everyone in our community to actively denounce these atrocities.

Hear from our Executive Director:

“I urge the government of Bangladesh to change their decision. These are among the most vulnerable human beings on Earth that need protection rather than being relegated and relocated into areas that are inhabitable even for animals. It is unfortunate that this is happening before our eyes. I urge the Bangladesh government to open communication lines with the United Nations and especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Bangladesh government should listen to and work with human rights organizations and similar agencies to address this crisis in a more humane way rather than packing human beings and forcing them to relocate to a geographically vulnerable island. Relocating thousands of refugee people to an island that is flood-prone, at a high-risk of sinking, and vulnerable to frequent cyclones without a proper assessment of safety is cruel. The Rohingya have no hope or opportunities and their only chance is the support of the Bangladesh government but instead, this is happening to them. I ask once again, that the Bangladesh government change their decision immediately.”

Dr. Omar Bah,

Executive Director & Co-founder

The Refugee Dream Center Receives $10,000 Grant From Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation For COVID-19 Aid

Grant will support refugee families in Providence, RI, 02907

Providence, Rhode Island, October 23, 2020 

The Refugee Dream Center (RDC), a non-profit 501(c)(3) post-resettlement refugee organization based in Providence, Rhode Island, announced today that it has received a $10,000 grant from Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation (EBCF). The grant is part of a commitment from the Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation to provide financial support to local organizations focused on COVID-19 relief. 

This pandemic has presented unique challenges to our refugee communities in Providence, RI. Refugees have experienced microaggressions related to COVID-19 which has caused emotional distress and an overall negative impact on educational performance, mental and physical health. Refugee families have suffered significant financial strain due to lack of income and need for child care. Additionally, general misinformation about the pandemic as well as a lack of awareness and access to resources in the community have triggered fear among refugee communities. This pandemic has disproportionately impacted communities of color and low-income families. This grant will be used to provide direct relief for refugee families impacted by COVID-19 in Providence, RI. 

“In light of these challenges, our role in the community is to ensure that all our clients have the supplies they need, whether they are elderly, immuno-compromised, or facing discrimination. We used funding to encourage social-distancing and staying home, provide refugee families with basic necessities such as food, cleaning supplies and toiletries, and disseminate accurate and reliable information about COVID-19 via phone calls, text, and social media.”

– Rakia Islam, Program Manager 

EBCF is providing a total of $8 million in COVID-19 philanthropic support in the communities it serves. We thank Eastern Bank for supporting us as we combat the ill effects of a deeply inequitable social ecosystem in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Refugee Dream Center is receiving a grant for its meaningful work in aiding refugees, who, from hospitals, to grocery stores, to cleaning services, and transportation, are working on the front lines of this crisis, in roles with higher exposure to the virus as well as to layoffs and closures.

The Refugee Dream Center (RDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) post-resettlement refugee organization based in Providence, Rhode Island. It offers support to the local refugee community to ensure the continued provision of  support services in their efforts towards self-sufficiency and integration. The RDC does referrals, and offers social level assistance and skill development programs; these include adult English language education, health promotion and cultural orientation, youth mentoring, and case management. In addition, the RDC serves as a strong advocacy agency for the rights of refugees.

Omar Bah, refugeedreamcenter@gmail.com, (401) 499-2745