An Escalating Humanitarian Crisis at the Border: How Philanthropy Can Respond
Introduction
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) and Hispanics in Philanthropy (HIP) have created this issue brief to update funders on this crisis, which will worsen with the arrival of the much-publicized exodus of Central American asylum seekers and migrants, including many families with young children. This brief covers the multi-faceted nature of the situation, its impact on communities on both sides of the border, and how funders can support local efforts to address urgent humanitarian needs and long-term policy and systemic challenges. It draws on information shared during our November 8th joint telephonic briefing and interviews with local organizations leading the response.
How Funders Can Support a Coordinated Local Response
In response to this growing humanitarian crisis, organizations in San Diego need immediate resources to address the urgent needs facing asylum-seeking families. They also need support over the longer term to reframe the narrative on this exodus to reflect the voices and humanity of those affected. And they need to build the capacity of their individual organizations and the broader movement to craft a powerful, comprehensive, and locally led strategy to address long-term needs in the San Diego-Tijuana border region.
ADDRESS IMMEDIATE NEEDS
Operating support for the temporary shelter, specifically staffing and supplies for feeding shelter residents, cleaning, and logistics
Travel and communication expenses for families able to reunite with family or friends, including bus fare, meal support, phone cards, etc.
Health and social services, including mental health support, for arrivals needing immediate attention
RESPOND TO MEDIUM-TERM ISSUES
General support for local immigrant-serving organizations to respond immediately to emergent crises in the region
Relocation support for arriving families that lack family or community ties in the United States
Legal services and representation for arriving families
Mental health and social services that support the ongoing needs of families
INVEST IN LONG-TERM CAPACITY, STRATEGIES, AND MOVEMENT BUILDING
A permanent migrant shelter in San Diego, modeled after similar shelters in Texas, to provide essential transitional support to the ongoing flows of migrants to the region
Communications and advocacy to educate the public and policy makers on the true causes and human toll of this crisis
Narrative change to reshape perception of and discourse on Central American children, families, and individuals seeking refuge in the United States
Movement and capacity building for local organizations working in the San Diego-Tijuana region to increase their collective power to address long-term migration-related policy and systemic issues facing the region
Photos taken at the temporary shelter run by San Diego Rapid Response Network. All photos courtesy of network partner Jewish Family Service of San Diego.
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