Brisbane Times
Monday, June 10, 2013

Wearing a pinstriped suit, Abdirahman ‘‘Abdi’’ Mohamud sits in a worn office chair talking frenetically on his mobile phone.

About 12 minutes south of Brisbane’s CBD, Mr Mohamud’s convenience store is nestled on a sliver of Beaudesert Road, Moorooka, unofficially christened ‘‘Africa town’’.

The kilometre of road here is a testament to the virtues of second chances.

Surrounded by an eclectic mix of soaps, hair products, rugs, pressure cookers and clothes, Mr Mohumud welcomes visitors to his store with a broad grin, ushering them inside with the wave of a hand.

‘‘Come, come,’’ he says.

When he realises this reporter is at his door he taps the leather seat beside him, while still talking in his mother tongue.

As his phone conversation ends, Mr Mohumud slips off his brown sandals and crosses one leg over the other.

The father of nine was born in the city of Baidoa, south-central Somalia.

His beaming smile gives no clue to the horrors he witnessed in his home country – the horrors of seeing children starving in the streets, fearing at the same time he would not be able to feed his own sons and daughters.

‘‘It was the ‘city of death’,’’ he says.

‘‘The bones of the people were lying everywhere. There was the whole village, around 2000 to 3000 people, perished. It was heartbroken. Nobody can imagine.

‘‘It was genocide. It is beyond to comprehend what it was like.’’

Before arriving in Australia, he was held captive by the Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid, who was to gain world notoriety as the antagonist in the film Black Hawk Down.

” I never find difficult being in Australia,” Abdirahman Mohamud says. Photo: Michelle Smith

‘‘I had started university when the civil war began and worked with the international community, including the Australian Defence Force, because I spoke English,’’ Mr Mohumud, 46, says.

He joined 1000 Australian peacekeeping soliders as an interpreter. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Australians’ deployment to Somalia under Operation Solace.

‘‘After the United Nations left the warlord kidnapped me, but I was able to flee to Kenya,’’ Mr Mohumud says.

After a year in a refugee camp, Mr Mohumud and his wife, Odpi, and their six children boarded a plane to Australia, courtesy of the Australian High Commission.

The young family arrived in Brisbane on December 4, 1998.

‘‘It was like my birth date,’’ Mr Mohumud says.

‘‘Australia is the lucky country. The good thing about Australia is they have a culture that is open-minded to everyone, and they are good to hosting people.’’

Mr Mohumud started driving a taxi the following year.

Within six years, he had saved enough money to open his own business, and had another three children. He’s now a grandfather.

‘‘I never find difficult being in Australia,’’ he says.

His grin broadens when he speaks of daughters, Masra, 27, Amale, 23, Hani, 21, Kowther, 20, Adni, 12 and Arafo, 9, and his sons Abdima, 17, and Abdi, 16.

They are completing degrees in medical engineering, business, psychology and international relations.

However, other Somalian refugees have struggled to settle in their new home.

Mr Mohumud explains grievances between tribes and communities have traversed oceans.

He established the Somali Development Organisation to unite his community, while helping those in his home country.

‘‘I decide to link them. I tell them the only thing to success in this country is unity,’’ he says.

He now acts as a translator for Somali refugees, helping them seek medical treatment, legal aid and financial assistance.

He also teaches them the ways of the land.

‘‘I put a lot of effort to explain to them Australia is a country for everyone, same rights for everyone,’’ he says.

While working with the troops, Mr Mohumud became familiar with the Australian sense of humour. He tries to explain this too to the new arrivals.

And in the afternoons the small business owner is also a tutor, helping local children with their school homework.

He believes in paying it forward, ‘‘because I witness the pain of the poor’’.

He sponsors families still living in Kenya’s Dadaab refugee camp.

‘‘We send a lot of money,’’ he says.

‘‘Then those families support more families.’’

For his service to his community, Mr Mohumud has been awarded a Medal in the Order of Australia.

‘‘From July, I will include my name O.A.M,’’ he says with a chuckle.

‘‘I am so proud.’’

www..visionarena.wordpress.com

http://hiiraan.com/news4/2013/Jun/29677/somalia_calls_on_south_africa_to_protect_immigrants.aspx

voice of America
Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Somalia Prime Minister Abdi Farah Shirdon is calling for South African President Jacob Zuma to take urgent action to prevent more violence against the Somali business community in South Africa. The call follows deadly attacks the past week against foreign business owners in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. 

Somali shopkeeper Abdi Ahmed died in the worst way imaginable, according to his brother Issa, who stumbled upon his dying brother shortly after they were attacked by a mob last week in the South African city of Port Elizabeth.

“His body was mutilated,” he says. “There were wounds from knives, stones, and machetes.”  He says, “you would not think he was killed by human beings.  My brother was killed by animals; he looked as if he was eaten by a hyena, not human beings.”

Ahmed is one of dozens of Somali shopkeepers who have been targeted in South Africa recent months.  The Johannesburg township of Diepsloot also recently saw violence against Somali shopkeepers.

This killing and others like it in South Africa has prompted Somalia’s prime minister to call on South African President Jacob Zuma to intervene to protect the community.

President Zuma’s spokesman did not answer calls seeking comment, but the youth wing of his ruling African National Congress has condemned the attacks and called for action. 

“I think there needs to a serious education that happens with our communities, especially, that we have always been seen as being an integrated society.  A well-integrated society is part of Africa.  And I think that is the education that we need to bring about, and also try and encourage our people and educate them to actually be tolerant,” said ANC Youth League spokesman Bandile Masuku.

Braam Hanekom is director of the non-profit group People Against Suffering, Oppression and Poverty.  The group works to protect and promote the rights of all refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants in South Africa.

Hanekom says the Somali community is definitely often targeted because they set up cash businesses in poor areas, but he disputes newspaper accounts that referred to the killings as a “genocide.”

“It is true that there has been a really a shockingly high number of Somalis who are being murdered by criminals and targeted.  Sometimes there are clear indications that competitors are involved in the assassinations and murders and lootings, muggings.  But to classify it as a genocide is quite a harsh terminology, because the attacks are very much to do what Somalis are doing rather than what they are,”  Hanekom said.

Port Elizabeth resident Dino Jilley has lived in South Africa for nearly half his life and is provincial chairman of the Somalia Association in South Africa.  He says South African police are largely not to blame.

“Ninety percent of the policemen, they are not happy what is happening and they are fighting 24 hours day and night,” he said. “They are not happy, they are doing their job.  But you will get 10 percent who say, ‘Ah, at the end of the day, you are a foreigner, you come to this country, you must expect the consequences, you must expect whatever problem will face you, we have got nothing to do.’  But the majority, I would say – because I grew up in this country – the majority I would say, the police are working, working hard and trying to do their job.”

And in some ways, Hanekom noted, the problem also lies in Somalia.  The nation has been in a state of violence and chaos for more than two decades, prompting refugees to flee in droves.

http://srsonline.org/

Student for Refugee Students is a national student organization that was established to respond to the escalating needs of refugee students. According to the 2006 United Nations statistics, there are about 8 million refugees in the world while the figures for the number of people “of concern” hiked to about 21 million. As such there is the need to pay closer attention to refugee issues and how quickly durable solutions can be attained.

 SRS is particularly focused on improving human capital of the refugees in settlement camps. In the same spirit, SRS is proud to be contributing to the realization of the Millennium Development Goals in the developing countries particularly “Education for All”.

SRS membership is open to every individual who has interest in Refugees issues as well as development in the third world countries. The vast majority of the members are students in various provinces in Canada and also in the United States.

Friday, May 31, 2013
 

MOGADISHU (Xinhua) — After four years separated by conflicts in Somalia, Isha Farah finally restored contact with her 23-year-old daughter.

When Isha picked up the phone calling from Mombasa, Kenya, she immediately recognized her daughter Batulo, though the voice was no longer the same as she remembered.

Isha burst into crying with ecstasy. On the other side of the phone, Batulo is sobbing and chocked with emotion.

In 2009, Isha Farah lost contact with her 23-year-old daughter and her husband when they fled the Somali capital city Mogadishu to escape from the raging violence.

Isha could barely sleep well at night ever since she lost contact with Batulo. “I dreamed of finding my daughter, “ said Isha.

“I remembered every single day with her and pray for her return, “ Isha recollected those days that she would never forget.

Her ordeal ended early this year as good news from the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) came: her Batulo was living in Kenya port city of Mombasa.

The volunteers of the local Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and their partner, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (ICRC) in the horn of Africa nation has traced her daughter for months.

“Thank Allah I now have contact with my daughter who is in Mombasa with new husband and they has got two children,” Isha said.

Isha and Batulo are one of the thousands Somali families separated by more than two decades of conflict.

Omar Hassan Muse, national tracing coordinator of the SRCS, says it is a tough challenge to trace people who lost contact with family for years. Some efforts have good endings while others do not.

“Our work is to restore contact between family members and reunite them. We have succeeded in many of our efforts and there are times when we cannot trace the person sought and that is disheartening for the family and for us as well,” Muse said.

Abdi Idow, a resident in Mogadishu, has not been in contact with his daughter for nearly 22 years and was at the local Red Crescent society tracing office in Mogadishu.

Idow says his daughter aged 12 fled with another family after the conflict broke out in the Somali capital Mogadishu back in 1990.

He has never heard of her and the neighbors who she fled with, although he was told the family along with his daughter got asylum in America.

“I am here to get help in finding my daughter. We lost contact with her many years ago and the last time we hear any news of her and the family we were told they were in the USA,” Idow said.

Idow says despite all these years he and his family have not lost hope of finding his daughter.

“You can have closure when you know your loved one is dead and bury them but when you have no knowledge of their whereabouts and you have a sense they are still alive it is not possible to lose hope of finding them,” said Idow, as tears filled his eyes.

Apart from the tracing, the Somali Red Cross and the ICRC operate a pilot family links mobile phone service for internally displaced persons in the Rajo Camp in Mogadishu.

Residents call relatives back in areas where they fled from for news about family members and general situation.

Zaynad Mohamoud Afrah, tracing officer in northern Mogadishu in charge of the family links mobile phone service at the camp says their program provides 2 minute of phone call per family a month to get news of relatives.

Afrah says the program immensely helps families to update to other family members about life in hometown. Others call family members outside the country.

“This is another level of restoring family links because people at this camp (Rajo) can’t afford to buy mobile phone so this program is very important for the residents at this camp,” Afrah said.

Daahir Mohamed, a resident in the Rajo camp, is benefiting from the free phone call to family program. He is using the monthly phone to contact his relatives in the southern Lower Shabelle region.

“I don’t know how I would ever be able to get in contact with my family and to know about their situation without the program. I am happy to get this opportunity,” Mohamed said after talking to his family.

Isha is a lucky one who restored contact with her daughter. She hopes that soon she may meet with her daughter, whom she has not seen for the past four years.

“I am thankful to the volunteers who helped me find my daughter. I am pleased I may soon have to see her and her children in Somalia and I am excited about that,” said Isha.

Please see request below. If you are able to respond, please contact Ana Teresa Rico directly at arico003@gmail.com.

***********************************************

 I am looking for an expert on Gambia country conditions. I have a refugee hearing on May 13th, 2013, and all supporting documentation must be in by May 2nd, 2013. 

Background Facts of the Case: 
My client was tortured for three weeks at a military barracks by what he called the Paramilitary. I have tried looking for information about the Paramilitary, but am unable to find anything. I did find some things about the Paramilitary Wing of the Police force in Gambia. My client is illiterate and has limited primary education. I believe he may have confused as to what type of military/paramilitary force captured him. He has the scars of torture throughout his body, but I am worried that he may be found not credible if I am unable to find any sources on the paramilitary in Gambia. I thought speaking to someone who knows about Gambia may assist me in finding sources, and figuring out if my client is confused as to what group captured him. Or possibly paramilitary is the nick-name given to a security force within Gambia. 

Anyway, any guidance or help you can provide in this area would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Ana Teresa Rico

With Canadian family size averaging 1.9 children per household in 2011 (Statistics Canada, 2012), immigration remains an economic imperative for Canada’s continued dominance as one of the world’s economic power. The country seems to balance its book and meet the shortage of labour through various forms of immigration including skilled migration programs and admitting an increasingly large number of refugees from abroad and those that claim protection from within Canada.

For instance, in 2010, Canada accepted 24,696 refugees in all classes and admitted a total of 280,681 permanent residents in all categories (Citizenship and Immigration Canada-CIC, 2012). This has led the country to become one of the most diverse countries in the world. In 2001, for example, the proportion of foreign-born reached the highest in 70 years, visible minority population increased three-fold since 1981 with more than 200 ethnic groups being reported (Statistics Canada, 2003).

However, with such large number of immigrants and refugees making Canada their second home, the country seems to not care for these segments of the population in a way that it should. This can be evidenced by the fact that immigrants’ health on arrival is better and decline the longer they stay in the country (Ng, 2011) and the prevalence of certain health conditions disproportionately higher. Supporting this claim, a study conducted by Fenta, Hyman and Noh (2004) suggested that a lifetime prevalence of depression among Ethiopian immigrants and refugees to be 9.8%; slightly higher than the lifetime prevalence rate among Ontarians (7.3%).

Studies have shown that such a disproportionate health status has a significant impact on individual’s ability to contribute to the Canadian economy. (Stansfeld et al. 1995) Adding insult to an injury, however, the current overhaul to the immigration policies and other related service provisions such as health care (specifically the Interim Federal health Program-IFH) (CIC, 2012) may further aggravate these disproportionate health outcomes.In this paper, I will explore the prevalence of depression among immigrants and refugees, its impact and possible implications to Social Work practice.

Impact of depression

In its 2001 World Health Report, the World Health Organization-WHO indicated that mental disorders are growing worldwide and that more than 25% of all people will be affected at some time in their lives. Similar report ranked depression as the fourth leading cause of burden on society (WHO, 2001). The situation in the Canadian context does not seem any different. About 4% of Canadians reported symptoms which suggested that they had suffered an episode of major depressive disorder in the previous year in 1998/99 (Statistics Canada, 2001) Studies related to depression have long existed and engaged attentions of researchers since 1911 (Beck, 1961).

Among refugees and immigrants too, similar interest in the study of depression has been observed. It was investigated more than other mental illnesses among these particular segments of the population. Emily and colleagues (2012) conducted a literature review on rates of mental illness and suicidality in immigrant, refugee, ethno cultural, and racialized groups in Canada. Their analysis indicates that most of the studies they reviewed on mental illnesses of immigrants and refugees focused on depression. Although depression has been given such a due attention, estimates to its prevalence show different rates among the specific studies. Some reported a lower prevalence rate of 4.5% among adult immigrants and refugees while other showed a higher rate of 24.1%. This is evidenced by a study conducted by Lindert and colleagues (2009). Their analysis further indicated that the combined estimated prevalence for depression among refugees was 44%.

The discrepancy in prevalence rate of depression could be explained by inaccurate population counts, demographic differences between groups, the diverse nature of immigrants and refugees who are often lumped a one population group by geographic location (Emily, Tuck, Lurie, and McKenzie 2012). Despite such discrepancy in the prevalence rate of depression among immigrants and refugees, however, studies have shown that immigrants’ health on arrival is better and decline the longer they stay in the country (Ng, 2011) and that a lower prevalence rate of depression is observed at early stages of migration compared to the Canadian population.

Supporting this, Ali (2002) reported that compared to the Canadian-born population; the odds that immigrants experienced a depressive episode in the previous year were lower for recent cohorts but not for longer-term ones while this advantage was less pronounced with increasing length of residence in Canada. At a national level, this declining trend in mental health status, together with disproportionate disease burden such as depression have significant impact on the level to which immigrants and refugees contribute to Canada’s socio economic standing; the very reason why the government admits them to the country in the first place. Mirella (2011) indicates that employees with a mental illness have a high probability of experiencing reduced concentration, poor memory and other symptoms, depending on their personal circumstances and this, in the workplace, can impact negatively on their performance and attendance. Globally, the impact of such reduced performance is estimated at 70 billion annually (Tanouye, 2001).

In the Canadian context, the estimated total burden of $14.4 billion places mental health problems among the costliest conditions with the health care system sharing an estimated $278 million due to consultations with psychologists and social workers not covered by public health insurance (Stephens & Joubert, 2001). The mental health commission of Canada (2012), in its recently released national strategy, highlights how the impact of on individuals and family care givers cannot be over estimated. According to the strategy, depression and other similar mental illnesses overtake the lives of individuals and families by grief and distress.

Furthermore, stigma related to these conditions generate a tremendous sense of unwarranted shame and guilt, which can undermine caregivers’ confidence and well-being and have a long-lasting impact. The strategy also notes the negative impact on people living with mental health problems and illnesses, such as depression, affecting all aspects and stages of their lives– dealings with friends, family, communities, educators, employers, mental health service providers, and health care system. (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2012)

Implications for Social Work Practice:

Systemic Level Advocacy on policy changes related to Interim Federal Health Program-IFHP Up to and including June 29, 2012, the services covered by the IFHP for all eligible beneficiaries included basic coverage (i.e., treatments normally covered by provincial or territorial health insurance plans); supplemental coverage (i.e., health-care benefits similar to those provided through provincial social assistance plans, such as drugs and dental and vision care); and costs related to the Immigration Medical Examination (IME) (CIC, 2012).

Refugee claimants, resettled refugees, persons detained under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, victims of trafficking in persons and the in-Canada dependants of these groups who are unable to pay for health care are eligible for benefits under the IFHP until they become eligible for provincial/territorial or private health plan coverage. Under this program, resettled refugees with provincial/territorial health coverage are provided with supplemental coverage for one year from the date of entry to Canada (CIC, 2011). After the changes are in place, the IFHP will offer only two basic types of coverage.1) Health-care services that are only of urgent or essential nature; medications and vaccines only when needed to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or a condition of public safety concern or 2) Public Health or Public Safety Health-Care that will cover the cost of products and services only to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or a condition of public safety concern (CIC,2012).

The changes introduced to the Interim Federal Health Program become of critical importance for mental health status of refugees and new immigrants as they continue to face particular challenges that put their mental health at greater risk. They often have difficulty getting a job that matches their level of skills and education, earning a decent income, obtaining adequate housing, and face significant barriers to their seeking or obtaining help. (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2012)

The new changes state that refugees and immigrants will receive Health-care services that are only of urgent or essential nature; medications and vaccines only when needed to prevent or treat a disease posing a risk to public health or a condition of public safety concern (CIC, 2012). This means that a refugee who suffers from depression will not be able to receive adequate treatment; further aggravating his/her condition because such condition may not be perceived to be neither urgent nor a danger to the public. Mental health services in general are already given a lesser priority than most other services.

This is clearly reflected by the fact that only one in three people who experience a mental health problem or illness—and as few as one in four children or youth—report that they have sought and received services and treatment (Mental Health Commission of Canada, 2012). Given these, the restrictions introduced to the Interim Federal Health Program will create additional barrier to an already compromised system; adding insult to an injury.

Furthermore, the changes will gravely affect refugees’ and immigrants’ mental health situation in general who are at an even more disadvantage due to their culture and the systemic discrimination they face when it comes to accessing health services in general and mental health services in particular. For instance, a qualitative phenomenological study conducted by Martin and colleagues (2010) indicated that lack of trust in doctors and race of doctors were among factors that were influenced by culture and discrimination that participants faced. Furthermore, Gender and language of immigrants have also been found to greatly impact their access to health care (Pottie et al, 2008) adding more barriers to refugees’ and immigrants’ health care access.

Highlighting these significant impacts, Social Workers can and should challenge the government’s recent policy related to the interim Federal health Program-IFHP. This is primarily because they are uniquely placed to stress the impacts of such changes; especially through their professional value related to social justice. The validity of this unique Social Workers’ role to affect policies, according to Katz (1961) historically stems from the competency of professional social workers, the goals of social work itself, and its related professional ethics Hence, Social Workers can and should mobilize other professionals in the health field in an inter-professional collaborative manner to reverse these recent policy changes. They, for example can learn from best practices and join the call for action that has already been started by the Canadian Doctors for Refugees (2012).

Individual level Evidence based and culturally competent practice of specific interventions Advocacy and policy change takes time. Furthermore, policy changes might only be attainable through changes in the current political landscape. Social Workers, in the mean time, can have another key role in addressing immediate impacts of these policy changes by providing individual level interventions. As counselors and therapists, they can utilize evidence based and culturally competent approach to find effective intervention strategies that could address such mental illnesses as depression.

For instance, Stressing the fact that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) recommended to be among the most effective treatments for major depression, Interian and Díaz-Martínez (2007) outlined a comprehensive analysis and Considerations for culturally competent cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of depression with Hispanic patients. However, although the effectiveness of CBT as a intervention for the treatment of depression, Social workers need to consider other factors and look for more evidence before implementing such interventions. In cases of co-occurring conditions such as substance abuse, for example, the effectiveness has been found to be inconclusive by some studies.

Hides, Samet and Lubman (2010) did systematic review of clinical trials and found only a limited evidence for the effectiveness of CBT either alone or in combination with antidepressant medication for the treatment of co-occurring depression and substance use. Despite this conclusion, however, their study indicated that there is growing evidence that that the effects of CBT are durable and increase over time during follow up. In addition to other co-occurring conditions, some studies found limitations on the effectiveness of CBT for the treatment of depression among specific population too.

A study by Sandil (2006) found no empirical evidence for the efficacy of Cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescent depression among Asian immigrants in the United States and advised on the need to validate the use of CBT with this population. These studies indicate how it is important for practitioners to identify the person in an environment, be cognizant of cultural and individual factors and the extent to which interventions such as CBT must be guided by Evidence.Given their practice model, ethics and professional value, Social Workers remain uniquely placed to deliver on these.

Conclusion

Canada remains a multi-cultural country where immigrants and refugees contribute a great deal. However, studies show that they are at a disadvantage when it comes to their health and mental health status with disproportionate disease burden such as depression. Further aggravating this situation, misguided, recent policy changes seem to put them even at a greater disadvantage. Social workers, through their unique professional values such as Social Justice and effective practice models such as indentifying the person in an environment using a Biopsychosocial lens, can play a key role to effectively address these issues. They have a key role in advocacy and policy change, both as policy makers and implementers, on behalf of the people that they serve. On top of these, they must remain committed to provide culturally competent, effective and evidence based interventions at an individual level. Collaboration with other professional working for the wellbeing of society could greatly add to the effectiveness of these key roles Social Workers have.

References

Ali, J. (2002). Mental health of Canada’s immigrants Canadian community health survey – 2002 annual report. Health Reports, 13, 101. Beck, A. T. (1961). A systematic investigation of depression. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 2(3),163-170

Canadian Doctors for Refugees. (2012, June 18). Day of Action. Retrieved October 1, 2012, from Canadian Doctors for Refugees: http://www.doctorsforrefugeecare.ca/day-of-action-june-18.html

Canada’s ethno cultural portrait: The changing mosaic (2003). . Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada. CIC. (2012, February 16). Facts and figures: Immigration overview- Permanent and temporary residents. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from Citizenship and Immigration Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/statistics/menu-fact.asp CIC. (2012, April 25).

News Releases – 2012. Retrieved May 24, 2012, from Citizenship and Immigration Canada:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-04-25.asp CIC. (2012, June 11).

Refugees: Health Care. Retrieved October 3, 2012, from Citizenship and Immigration Canada:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/outside/arriving-healthcare.asp

Emily, K. H., Tuck, A., Lurie, S., & McKenzie, K. (2012). Rates of mental illness and suicidality in immigrant, refugee, ethno cultural, and racialized groups in Canada: A review of the literature. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(2), 111.

Fenta, H., Hyman, I., & Noh, S. (2004). Determinants of depression among Ethiopian immigrants and refugees in Toronto. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease,192(5), 363-372.

Hides, L., Samet, S., & Lubman, D. I. (2010). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) for the treatment of co-occurring depression and substance use: Current evidence and directions for future research. Drug and Alcohol Review, 29(5), 508-517.

Interian, A., & Díaz-Martínez, A. M. (2007). Considerations for culturally competent cognitive-behavioral therapy for depression with Hispanic patients. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 14(1), 84-97. Katz, A. (1961). The social worker’s role in social policy. International Social Work, 4(2), 1-11.

Lindert, J., Ehrenstein, O. S. v., Priebe, S., Mielck, A., & Brähler, E. (2009). Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social Science & Medicine, 69(2), 246-257.

Martin, S. S., Trask, J., Peterson, T., Martin, B. C., Baldwin, J., & Knapp, M. (2010). Influence of culture and discrimination on care-seeking behavior of elderly African Americans: A qualitative study. Social Work in Public Health, 25(3-4), 311-326.

Mental Health Commission of Canada. (2012). Changing directions, changing lives: The mental health strategy for Canada. Calgary, AB Mirella S De, L. (2011).

Managing hidden illnesses that impact on performance and absenteeism. The Business Review, Cambridge, 19(1), 77.

Ng, E. (2011).The healthy immigrant effect and mortality rates. Health Reports / Statistics Canada, Canadian Centre for Health Information = Rapports Sur La Santé / Statistique Canada, Centre Canadien d’Information Sur La Santé, 22(4), 25.

Pottie K, Ng E, Spitzer D, et al. Language proficiency, gender and self-reported health: An analysis of the first two waves of the Longitudinal Survey of Immigrants to Canada. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2008; 99(6): 505-10

Sandil, R. (2006). Cognitive behavioral therapy for adolescent depression: Implications for Asian immigrants in the united states of America. Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 18(1), 27-32

Stansfeld, S., Feeney, A., Head, J., Canner, R., North, F., & Marmot, M. (1995). Sickness absence for psychiatric illness: The Whitehall II study. Social Science & Medicine (1982), 40(2), 189-197.

Stephens, T., & Joubert, N. (2001). The economic burden of mental health problems in Canada. Chronic Diseases in Canada, 22(1), 18.

Statistics Canada. (2012, September 19). The Daily. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from Statistics Canada:http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120919/dq120919a-eng.htm Statistics Canada. Stress and Well-being. Health Reports (Statistics Canada. Catalogue 82-003) 2001; 12(3): 21-32

Tanouye E (2001). Mental illness: A rising workplace cost —- one form, depression, takes $70 billion toll annually; bank one intervenes early. Wall Street Journal World Health Organization (2001). The World Health Report 2001. Mental Health: New Understanding, New Hope. Geneva: World Health Organization.

AMERA is a human rights organization that provides free legal, social and mental health services to the hundreds of thousands of refugees in Egypt. For the last ten years, AMERA has tirelessly served people who have fled their home countries due to persecution, conflict, torture, trafficking, violence and terror. We work with refugees (mostly from Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea) to rebuild their lives and provide safety to their families. If you would like to know more about our work, please go to: http://www.amera-egypt.org

TODAY, AMERA is threatened with imminent closure due to a lack of funding. Without us, thousands of refugees will be left without access to essential services that protect their rights.

Founded in 2003, AMERA continues to be the first and only organization in Egypt to provide legal, social and mental health services to refugees under one roof. This holistic approach, coupled with the collective expertise of our staff, enables us to quickly identify individual and community needs. In this way, we provide essential services in a safe space, treating refugees with dignity and respect.

AMERA is the ONLY organization in Egypt that offers:

. Legal advice and representation before the UNHCR, increasing their chances of protection from return to their home countries
. Direct resettlement referrals to foreign embassies for the most vulnerable refugees in Egypt
. Specialized assistance for children who have fled persecution without their parents, including victims of trafficking, who rely on AMERA for access to protection, education, healthcare and other basic services
. Advocacy for refugees in indefinite and arbitrary detention
. Community outreach programs, headed by refugee staff, to raise awareness and empower refugee communities, pioneering an emergency outreach response to the massive Syrian refugee influx since 2012
. A dedicated team working with survivors of sexual and gender based violence to help them access a full spectrum of medical, social, legal, and psychological services

AMERA in Numbers

1537 refugees provided with services in the last two months
3400+ refugees provided with community outreach services in the last 12 months, of whom 1200 are Syrians
15% of our clients are under 21 years old (not including family dependents), half are women
30% are survivors of torture
72% of our clients receive more

AMERA helps the survivors of Sinai’s ‘torture camps’: Every year, hundreds of refugees from Eritrea and Ethiopia are trafficked to the Sinai region of Egypt. There, they are held in ‘torture camps’ and subjected to horrific physical, sexual and psychological torture in order to extort money from their families in their home country and abroad. In the past 12 months AMERA has provided advice, representation and care to over 100 survivors of Sinai’s torture camps. For more information on this practice see a BBC World Service program, ‘Escape from Sinai’ (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0153h3m).

We are in URGENT need of immediate funding to continue serving our clients.
For every £2.25 donated, staffing costs are covered for each refugee provided with psychosocial support.
For every £2 donated, staffing costs are covered for each refugee accessing legal services.*
Any size donation will make a difference to a life today!

You can make a donation towards the work of AMERA Egypt by giving to AMERA UK, a registered UK charity (Charity Number: 1098788, Company Ltd by Guarantee: 4644642)
Please donate with JustGiving or PayPal by clicking the link below:

http://www.justgiving.com/amera/Donate

From the UK: you can also donate to AMERA by texting AMER01£ (and the amount you wish to donate) to 70070
If you are a UK Tax Payer, please visit our website to learn about maximizing your gift at no additional cost.
If you would like to make a donation of £1,000 or more, we’d be happy to discuss with you the intended focus of your donation. Please feel free to contact us at donations@amera-uk.org

Thank you,
AMERA-Egypt