The Geographic Divide: Madison, Wisconsin And Afghanistan's Distant Dichotomy

Madison, Wisconsin, is approximately 11,425km (7,100 miles) away from Afghanistan. The city has welcomed Afghan refugees, many of whom have been temporarily housed at Fort McCoy, a US Army base located about 110 miles northwest of Madison. Local NGOs, businesses, and individuals have also contributed to supporting the refugees, with donations of clothing and performances by the Madison Ballet.

Fort McCoy in Wisconsin has served as a refugee camp for Afghan evacuees

Fort McCoy in Wisconsin has been used as a refugee camp for Afghan evacuees. The base is located about 110 miles northwest of Madison in Monroe County. It is Wisconsin's only active military installation, situated on 60,000 acres of land between Tomah and Sparta.

The base has served as a temporary home for thousands of Afghan refugees, with a population of nearly 13,000 at one point. The refugees included those who had aided the U.S. military, as well as journalists, humanitarian workers, and women attending university. They were vetted in a third-party country and again upon arrival in the U.S.

While at Fort McCoy, the refugees received vaccinations, culturally appropriate food and clothing, and English language classes. They were also provided with medical and dental care. The base became a makeshift city, with neighbourhoods, mayors, police, community meetings, mosques, classrooms, laundry facilities, and a cafeteria.

The stay at Fort McCoy was intended to be temporary while refugees awaited resettlement. However, there were challenges with the resettlement process, including finding appropriate housing and addressing language barriers. Some refugees expressed frustration with the length of their stay and a lack of clarity about the timeline for resettlement.

Despite these challenges, Fort McCoy served as a vital refuge for Afghans fleeing their homeland. The base provided safety, resources, and support as the refugees worked towards starting new lives in communities across the United States.

Local NGOs, businesses, and individuals have helped deliver donations to Afghan refugees in Wisconsin

I was unable to find the distance from Madison, Wisconsin to Afghanistan. However, I can tell you about how local NGOs, businesses, and individuals have helped deliver donations to Afghan refugees in Wisconsin.

Local NGOs

Local NGOs have been crucial in helping Afghan refugees in Wisconsin. One such NGO is Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization that has been coordinating with the Department of Defense to assist relocating Afghan families into communities across the country. They have been collecting and distributing donations of clothing, blankets, and other essential items to refugees. Other local NGOs like Open Doors for Refugees and Jewish Social Services of Madison have also been actively involved in supporting the resettlement process.

Businesses

Businesses in Wisconsin have also stepped up to help Afghan refugees. For instance, the Madison Ballet performed the Nutcracker for the refugees at Fort McCoy during Christmas. Additionally, local businesses have donated items such as clothing, blankets, and other supplies to help refugees get through the harsh Wisconsin winter.

Individuals

Individuals in Wisconsin have also played a significant role in helping Afghan refugees. Many individuals have offered their homes as temporary places for refugees to stay before they transition to more permanent housing. Volunteers have been assisting with various tasks, such as driving refugees to appointments, helping with grocery shopping, and teaching English. Some individuals have also been fundraising and donating money to support the resettlement process.

The Madison Ballet performed the Nutcracker for Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy

The distance between Madison, Wisconsin, and Afghanistan is approximately 11,797 kilometres or 7,324 miles.

In December 2021, the Madison Ballet performed "The Nutcracker" for Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy, a U.S. military base in Sparta, Wisconsin. The ballet company presented four performances of the classic holiday show in a warehouse on the base, entertaining around 1,200 people in total. The event was organised by Jonathan Solari, CEO of the Madison Ballet, who had previously worked with refugees in Greece and wanted to bring some joy and distraction to the children at Fort McCoy, half of whom were under 18.

The performances featured new choreography and were well-received by the refugee audience, who reacted with ear-piercing whistles, cheers, and applause. In addition to the shows, Madison Ballet dancers led dance classes for the children, with instruction offered in the three languages spoken by the refugees.

The event was a meaningful cultural exchange, with one refugee commenting that it was "more than what I expected. It was really amazing." For the dancers, it was an emotional and inspiring experience, reminding them of the importance of art in bringing joy and hope, especially during traumatic times.

Fort McCoy has housed up to 13,000 Afghan refugees but that number has decreased to around 7,000 as people are resettled across the United States. The base played a crucial role in providing temporary housing and support for Afghans fleeing their country after the Taliban takeover.

Resettlement agencies in Wisconsin help Afghan refugees connect with services and communities

Wisconsin has a long tradition of welcoming refugees, and this has continued with the resettlement of Afghan individuals and families. These new arrivals come from military bases across the country and are primarily being resettled in Madison, Milwaukee, Green Bay, Wausau, and the Fox Valley area.

Upon arrival, local refugee resettlement agencies help them to access housing, transportation, employment, and other benefits they are eligible for. Six refugee resettlement agencies in Wisconsin are assisting with this process:

• International Institute of Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
• Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan (Milwaukee)
• World Relief Fox Valley (Oshkosh and Appleton)
• Jewish Social Services (Madison)
• Ethiopian Community Development Council (Wausau)
• Catholic Charities of Green Bay

These agencies are in critical need of monetary donations to help Afghan refugees build their new homes and lives.

The resettlement process involves finding a residence with transit access, furnishing it, and stocking the kitchen with culturally appropriate food. Each person needs a Social Security card and a medical screening, and children are enrolled in school. Parents are connected with English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and families are established with BadgerCare and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.

The federal government provides each refugee with about $1,000, and upon arrival, they are considered legal permanent residents and are authorized to work. After five years, they may apply for citizenship.

Wisconsin has one of the largest concentrations of Hmong people in the United States

I was unable to find the distance from Madison, Wisconsin to Afghanistan. However, I can confirm that Wisconsin has one of the largest concentrations of Hmong people in the United States.

The Hmong are a Southeast Asian ethnic group that began immigrating to Wisconsin as refugees in the 1970s and 1980s, following the Vietnam War. They were allies of the United States during the war and faced persecution in their homeland, so many fled to refugee camps in Thailand. From there, they were resettled in several countries, including the United States.

California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin were leaders in accepting Hmong refugees, with Wisconsin having the third-largest Hmong population in the country as of 2005. The first wave of Hmong immigrants to Wisconsin arrived in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and the last wave came in the mid-2000s.

According to the 2019 American Community Survey, more than 58,000 Hmong people live in Wisconsin, accounting for nearly 1% of the state's population. They are the largest Asian ethnic group in the state and represent more than a third of Wisconsin's Asian population. The largest Hmong populations in Wisconsin are in Milwaukee County, followed by Marathon, Dane, Sheboygan, Brown, La Crosse, Winnebago, and Eau Claire counties.

Hmong refugees often relied on sponsors and resettlement organizations to help them get settled in Wisconsin. They faced many challenges, including language barriers, discrimination, and lack of job opportunities. However, over time, the Hmong community in Wisconsin has become an integral part of the state's economy, politics, and culture. They have started businesses, pursued education, and found career success in various fields.

The Hmong community in Wisconsin continues to grow and thrive, contributing to the state's diversity and richness. Their presence and resilience serve as a testament to the strength and resilience of those who call Wisconsin home.

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