Lutheran World Relief staff joined hundreds of faith-based leaders gathered in Virginia and Washington, DC this month to advocate for improved government policies for refugees, displaced persons and immigrants.
Ecumenical Advocacy Days (EAD), an annual event sponsored by multiple Christian denominations, brings people of faith together to advocate for justice and peace. This year’s EAD theme was “A Place to Call Home: Immigrants, Refugees and Displaced Peoples.” Other Lutheran agencies supporting the event included Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).
LWR’s Acting Director of Public Policy and Advocacy, Annalise Romoser, led a panel discussion entitled “Rebuilding Haiti with Rights.” Romoser pointed to four steps the U.S. government and people of faith can take to promote sustainable development in Haiti and help secure the rights of Haitians displaced by the January 12 earthquake.
“We are all aching to help Haiti,” noted Romoser, “and one of the best ways to help now, is to ask that Congress quickly approve $3 billion in supplemental funding for Haitian-led reconstruction and development in the country.”
Shaina Aber of Jesuit Refugee Services, who discussed best practices for supporting Haitian refugees and asylum seekers, joined Romoser on the panel. Panelist and Haitian-American Roosevelt Donat spoke of his experience working in Haiti immediately following the earthquake.
On March 22, more than 85 Lutherans from across the country descended on Capitol Hill to discuss their concerns with lawmakers. Minnesota Lutherans from the Fifth District were even granted a meeting with Representative Keith Ellison himself.
LWR Lutheran Volunteer Corps Volunteer Andrew Twiton met with Congressman Keith Ellison of Minneapolis, and with members of Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Al Franken’s (D-MN) offices. Twiton asked these members of Congress not only to support a supplemental bill for Haiti, but also to back debt cancellation for Haiti and debt relief for other impoverished nations.
“I felt these members of Congress were receptive to addressing root causes of migration and displacement via debt relief,” Twiton reported. “I am hopeful that Senators Klobuchar and Franken will champion debt relief in the Senate.”
Lutherans provided significant support and energy to EAD. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America hosted a Lutheran luncheon on March 20 featuring presentations by Sudanese refugees settled in the United States with the support of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services.
“EAD was a great opportunity for Lutherans to share their personal stories about migration and refugee issues with their members of Congress,” said Jodi Deike, Director for Grassroots Advocacy and Communication, ELCA Washington Office.
Lutheran World Relief works with refugees and internally displaced populations throughout the world to provide emergency assistance, help improve livelihoods, support voluntary returns home and advocate for improved protection policies. Currently, LWR is working in Haiti to help strengthen rural communities that have received an influx of internally displaced people fleeing Port Au Prince.
