CERI is passionately committed to improving the lives of refugees and immigrants impacted by the effects of war, torture, genocide, and other life-altering traumas. Our organization tailors a range of services specifically designed to the needs of our community members, including trauma-informed mental health support and specialized care management. Our dedicated team, coming from the same communities we serve, possesses a wealth of lived experiences and is able to develop stronger connections with our community members. We are committed in our dedication to delivering holistic services that address the social and mental health needs of our community while fostering a sense of community through gatherings and outreach initiatives.
Here is a summary of the historical background and context of the refugee and immigrant communities that CERI serves:
Afghanistan
Afghans have suffered more than 40 years of conflict, natural disasters, chronic poverty, and food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic and most recently the events leading up to the Taliban’s takeover of the country in August 2021 intensified instability and violence – causing even more human suffering and displacement.
According to Human Rights Watch, more than 8 million Afghans have been driven out of their homes or their country by conflict, violence and poverty. With the withdrawal of international forces and a surge in violence, a significant number of Afghans fled their homes, seeking safety and a chance for a better future elsewhere. The United States became a destination for many Afghan refugees. In the Bay Area, a region historically known for its welcoming stance toward immigrants and refugees, efforts were made to provide aid and support to Afghan refugees. Since 2022, CERI has stepped up its efforts to ensure Afghan refugees have access to essential services, especially emotional and mental health support as they settle in their new communities in Alameda and the adjacent counties.
Burmese Refugees
Resource-rich and fertile, Burma was once regarded as “the rice bowl of Asia.” Under military rule since 1962, its fortunes have steadily declined, and today it is one of the world’s least developed and least free countries. It is also the source of one of the world’s most protracted refugee crises. More than half a million refugees from Burma (also called Myanmar) are in neighboring and nearby countries such as Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Thailand. To date, the US has resettled nearly 5,000 refugees from Burma, with 500+ resettled to the San Francisco Bay Area, primarily in East Oakland.
Cambodian Refugees
CERI serves a large number of Cambodian refugees—survivors of the Khmer Rouge genocide—who resettled in the US in the 1980s.
In 1975, a Communist regime called the Khmer Rouge swept through the country and seized its government. The Khmer Rouge then imposed what became popularly known as the "killing fields," in which unspeakable brutality was carried out by the insurgents and their supporters against the Cambodian population. By 1979, starvation, disease and murder had taken the lives of 1.7 million Cambodians—approximately one-eighth of the total population. Through the intervention of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), some refugees were admitted to the US from 1978 to 1985. Very few have entered since.
Eritrean Refugees
The war in Eritrea, which spanned from 1961 to 1991, was a protracted struggle for independence against Ethiopian rule. After gaining independence, Eritrea faced internal conflicts and strained relationships with neighboring countries. Eritrea's unstable political and economic conditions, compounded by human rights abuses and mandatory national service, led to a significant refugee crisis. Many Eritreans fled their country in search of safety. The Eritrean refugees in the Bay Area face are still grappling with the traumas of losing loved ones, displacement, and the effects of war.
Ethiopian Refugees
The ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, which intensified in 2020 in the Tigray region in Northern Ethiopia, Benishangul-Gumuz, Oromia, and Southern Nations and Nationalities, has its roots in political, ethnic, and historical tensions within the country. The conflict escalated into a full-scale war, causing immense suffering, displacement, family separation, torture, rape, and loss of life. The violence has resulted in a severe refugee crisis, with thousands of Ethiopians fleeing the violence. Ethiopian refugees in the Bay Area, like many others around the world, grapple with the trauma of displacement, loss of loved ones, and the challenge of adapting to a foreign culture.
The Filipinx Refugees
The Philippine government's actions and policies have played a role in fostering a refugee crisis, particularly impacting those seeking safety and opportunities abroad. The Philippines has dealt with political instability, poverty, and natural disasters, leaving many individuals and families in vulnerable situations. Economic hardships and a lack of basic services have propelled some Filipinos to seek refuge in other countries, including the United States. The Bay Area, with its welcoming and diverse communities, has become a haven for Filipino refugees. In this region of California, Filipino refugees face the challenge of adapting to a new culture while overcoming the trauma of displacement.
The Philippines has experienced several waves of refugees over the years due to various political, social, and economic challenges. One significant event was the displacement of individuals during the martial law era under President Ferdinand Marcos. Additionally, conflict in the southern regions and natural disasters have contributed to refugee movements. Filipino refugees face the challenge of adapting to a new culture while overcoming the trauma of displacement.
Indian refugees
The refugee crisis involving Indian refugees can be attributed to political, religious, and ethnic persecution, as well as the caste system. India has faced internal conflicts and tensions stemming from religious and ethnic differences, often exacerbated by economic hardship and government policies or inaction. This discrimination, violence, and human rights abuses have compelled individuals and families to seek safety elsewhere.
Indonesian Refugees
Indonesian refugees have fled their country due to political persecution, religious discrimination, ethnic conflicts, and human rights abuses. Factors like armed conflict, economic instability, environmental disasters, and severe poverty have driven Indonesians to seek asylum in other countries for safety and better living conditions.
Iranian Refugees
The Islamic Republic regime in Iran, established in 1979, has been marked by political repression, censorship, human rights abuses, and limitations on personal freedoms. This authoritarian government has led to the suppression of political dissent and the stifling of social and cultural expression, causing many Iranians to seek refuge abroad. Iranian refugees in California often bring with them stories of persecution and hardship as they escape the oppressive regime in their homeland.
Latinx Refugees
Latin American countries have faced a complex array of challenges, including political instability, economic disparities, violence, and social unrest. These issues have contributed to a refugee crisis, prompting many individuals and families from Latin American nations to seek safety and better opportunities abroad, including in the United States. The Bay Area, known for its diverse and inclusive communities, has become a destination for latinx refugees. Here, they grapple with the task of adapting to a new culture and system while recovering from the often-traumatic experiences that led them to flee their home countries.
Nepali refugees
Many Nepali asylum seekers make their way to the United States through harrowing circumstances, often guided by human traffickers who threaten both them and their families back home at every step of the journey. By the time they reach the United States, they bear the heavy burden of severe emotional trauma. The root of this trafficking crisis lies in the prolonged political instability, human rights violations, and marginalization endured by numerous ethnic and political groups in Nepal. Discrimination based on ethnicity, caste, and political beliefs further intensifies these challenges, compelling many to seek refuge beyond their homeland. In the Bay Area, Nepalese asylees encounter the significant challenge of adjusting to a new culture, navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system, and addressing the deep trauma resulting from their past experiences.
Rwandan Refugees
The tragic and brutal ethnic conflict known as the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda led to the mass killing of more than one million Tutsi in just 100 days. The aftermath of this genocide has had enduring effects on the survivors, leaving them deeply marked by trauma and loss. As a result, some of these survivors have become refugees scattered across the globe.
Tibetan refugees
Tibetan refugees have faced a long and challenging journey escaping the oppressive policies and human rights abuses imposed by the Chinese government in Tibet. The Chinese occupation of Tibet since the 1950s has led to displacement and forced migration of many Tibetans. Tibetan refugees living in the Bay Area navigate the complexities of being refugees seeking asylum. They grapple with the struggle of adapting to a new culture while preserving their unique identity and traditions.
Vietnamese Refugees
In 1975, large-scale immigration from Vietnam to the US began with the fall of Saigon, when the US evacuated an estimated 125,000 Vietnamese refugees. As the humanitarian crisis worsened in the Indochina region (Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos), more refugees were admitted to the US. Since then, the Vietnamese immigrant population has grown significantly, roughly doubling every decade between 1980 and 2000, and then increasing 26% in the 2000s.