St. Louis is expected to attract hundreds of Afghan refugees to promote population reduction

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV) – International Institute of St. Louis hopes to bring 1,000 more Afghan refugees to the St. Louis for the next three years.

“St. Louis is a place they can call home,” said CEO Arrey Obenson.

Obenson said bringing in new immigrants would boost the region’s economy and reduce its population. So far, 600 families have moved to the area after the Taliban invasion of Afghanistan.

“The only way we can close the gap with population decline is to bring in immigrants,” says Obenson. If you look across America with growing cities, they’re basically growing because the immigrant population is resettling there. “

The organization is working with nonprofits and other groups to provide incentives for displaced Afghans, including mobile phones, tablets, education and a community center. copper is active.

“We hope that it will appeal to more Afghans to come,” said Obenson. Same is the case with the Bosnians. We welcomed 1,000 Bosnians but now we have 40,000 Bosnians in St. Louis”.

As of today, there are 185 Afghan families with permanent housing in the St. Louis thanks to the efforts of organizations such as the International Institute.

“Nothing reassures them that this is a place they can call home more than someone who understands their culture.”

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