As part of a federally funded refugee resettlement program, Louisiana will host the arrival of 59 individual Afghan refugees. Of these, 10 will settle in New Orleans through the help and resources of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans (CCANO).

The resettlement of Afghan refugees in the United States is part of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the humanitarian effort to save the citizens who assisted the US and its allies during the 20-year conflict.

“We are grateful and honored for the opportunity to welcome these refugees to New Orleans. Our long history of ‘welcoming the stranger’ from all parts of the world into the unique culture of our city has prepared us to receive these families in our Archdiocese,” says Sr. Marjorie Hebert, president and CEO of CCANO. “Our Immigration and Refugee Services program is experienced in assisting refugees in all aspects of their resettlement and their assimilation into the area.”

The Immigration and Refugee Services (IRS) program is one of the oldest and largest programs in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and is the only refugee resettlement agency in the Greater New Orleans area. This program provides resettlement and self-sufficiency services to newly arrived refugees and other immigrants granted special humanitarian legal status.

Services to support the Afghan arrivals will include case management support, continued cultural orientation, employment services, interpretation services, access to English language training, community outreach and mentorship to ensure their self-sufficiency and integration into the community.

For more information about Refugee Services, visit www.ccano.org/refugee-services/.