The world is experiencing an unprecedented refugee crisis. Right now, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency, there are approximately 26 million refugees and around half of them are under the age of 18.
This crisis is being driven primarily by persecution, war, climate change, economic collapse and hunger. Because of the policies put in place by the Trump administration the United States has welcomed very few refugees in recent years, but the Biden administration has pledged to change those policies.
As the U.S. grapples with refugee and immigration policies, the Iowa Bureau of Refugees in Des Moines is supporting refugees who have made their homes in Iowa. On this Talk of Iowa podcast, host Charity Nebbe speaks with Mak Suceska, bureau chief of the Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services, about his refugee story and how the bureau is preparing for the future.
Guest:
- Mak Suceska, bureau chief, Iowa Bureau of Refugee Services
