Utahns reach out to refugees

In 1992, Koffi Djagba left his native country of Fiji after political unrest broke out and his father, a politician, was shot by the government.

Djagba fled to a refugee camp in Burkina Faso, his sisters escaped to Europe and his mother to Ghana. He was only 16.

For six years, Djagba remained in the refugee camp, attended college and received a bachelor's degree in biochemistry. But in 1998, Djagba achieved his goal of coming to America and arrived in Salt Lake City as a refugee.

"The only thing I did have with me was my books from college and some clothes," he said. "I feel more home here than in my own country. I know here, I can have a better future."

This year, more than 400 refugees

will come to Salt Lake City with stories like Djagba's through the Catholic Community Services.

The CCS Refugee Resettlement Program started in 1974 as a self-reliance guide for refugees. The program provides pre-arrival services, English language training, medical services, job assessment, housing and furniture, supportive counseling and basic needs such as food and clothing until the family can support themselves. The program relies heavily on volunteers, not only for donations but for mentoring and support for the refugees.

CCS is part of Utah Refugee Resettlement, which currently has one other Utah agency that helps the same amount of refugees as CCS, the International Rescue Committee.

Prior to Sept. 11, Norman Nakamura, state coordinator for refugee resettlement, said about 1,000 to 1,200 refugees came to Utah each year. The amount of refugees has dropped to about 600 a year, however, because of stricter security since the terrorist attacks.

"We hope as things start to settle down, our numbers will go back to pre-9/11 numbers," he said.

The amount of refugees coming through CCS is determined by the affiliate, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the state. The community and available resources are taken into consideration before refugees are sent to certain states — factors Salt Lake City ranks high in.

"Salt Lake is actually a major destination point for Catholic Community Services and the International Rescue Committee, although we are smaller than some of the bigger states (agencies)," he said.