Every year, people resettle in Alaska after escaping conflict in other parts of the world. The reasons they left their homes and the circumstances under which they arrived may be different, but they’re all looking for the same thing – safety and security for their families. Now, conflicts are driving a major increase in the number of refugees and other immigrants arriving in Alaska from overseas. To understand more about why people leave their countries and how they are assisted when they reach Alaska, Lori Townsend talks with Issa Spatrisano, State Refugee Coordinator for Catholic Social Services and Divine Nganga, an Alaskan who is originally from Cameroon.
Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
Shiri joined Alaska Public Media in January 2018. Before joining AKPM, she worked as a News Production Assistant for Anchorage’s ABC/FOX/CW affiliate for six years. Outside of work, she enjoys painting, metal clay jewelry, thrift shopping, hanging out with family/friends and traveling.
Shiri is an avid traveler has been to a couple different places in Europe, Israel and Japan. She has also resided in a few of the aforementioned. She enjoys research on cultural topics and is learning several different languages including Japanese, Korean, Hebrew and, in addition, historical languages such as Medieval English and Latin.
