They have become our friends, and we will not wait for another generation to respond to this emergency. This is how…

As a result of North Korea’s isolation, there is a shortage of food and freedom in the country. Therefore, many of its civilians attempt to escape.  In order to escape, they must cross the Tumen River, which separates North Korea and China. If they make it across they seek refuge in “safe houses” along the border of North Korea and China until they can get to a third country. If they are caught in China, they will be sent back to imprisonment or death in North Korea. It has been estimated that there are thousands of North Korean refugees living in China today.

When they escape into China life is not easy. Many women and children escape and find work opportunities limited, and so begin to offer sexual services for money. Others have to live in fear of being caught and forced to return, never truly able to rest. Once they have made it to a third county new challenges arise. For most, it is their first experience living outside of such a restrictive nation, so daily survival and assimilation can be very overwhelming. This has lead to a high rate of suicide, depression and psychological issues for many refugees. There is a need for rehabilitation once they reach a safer location and this must not be overlooked.

The cost to rescue a refugee along the network of safe houses through China to a safe country can range from $0 to $2,000. The goal is to provide safe access into a third country where refugee status is granted. This situation often separates families, and we desire to reunite them.  (Link to Mi Sun’s story)

When refugees arrive in a third country such as South Korea we will help provide shelter, food, job opportunity, and counseling during the transition of one extreme society to the other.