By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

Hear our interview for KNSJ Radio by clicking the audio link

February 1, 2017(San Diego) – To learn the impacts of President Donald Trump’s executive action restricting refugee s’ entry into the United States,  we interviewed International Rescue Committee Executive Director David Murphy and Kathi Anderson, Executive Director at Survivors of Torture.

The order has created “fear for a lot of people” in San Diego, long a welcoming haven for refugees starting with the airlifts of Vietnamese boat people in the 1970s, says Murphy.  San Diego County takes in 3 to 4 percent of  all the refugees accepted into the U.S. each year.

By Janis Mork

January 30, 2013 (El Cajon) Updated March 15, 2013- Last week, Troy McKinney, Fresh Fund coordinator from the International Rescue committee (IRC), participated in an exclusive interview with East County Magazine. He gave more details of the future farmers’ market that will be set up on the Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon each Thursday starting March 21.

Like the IRC’s farmer’s market started four years ago in City Heights, the El Cajon farmer’s market will help both local refugees and the broader community.

The market will be held on Thursdays downtown starting March 21

By Janis Mork

January 30, 2013 (El Cajon) - Following approval at Tuesday’s January 22^nd City Council meeting, the City of El Cajon will now have its own farmers’ market in the downtown area. The City is working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and others to establish a certified farmers’ market on Thursday evenings, beginning March 21, at the Prescott Promenade, located at 201 East Main Street in downtown El Cajon. 

September 13, 2012 (City Heights) — San Diego is home to refugees from around the world – people who have fled war, famine or persecution in their homelands. Now you can help refugees rebuild their lives by purchasing fruits and vegetables grown by local refugees — delivered fresh each week at a cost of just $12.

 December 17, 2011 (San Diego) –This holiday season, the International Rescue Committee offers options for socially conscious, eco-friendly and financially prudent shoppers – Rescue Gifts that save and improve lives of refugees and others hit by war and natural disaster.  

San Diego County last year welcomed more refugees than any other U.S. county, making this especially meaningful here. At Rescue.org/Gifts, holiday shoppers can choose Rescue Gifts to dedicate to friends or family members, including: