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Country Profiles
Refugees arrive to Arizona from many different countries. Learn about each of those countries’ background, geography, people, government, economy and more below
- Afghanistan
Languages: Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 77% (Dari functions as the lingua franca), Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbek 11%, English 6%, Turkmen 3%, Urdu 3%, Pashayi 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1% (2017 est. from the CIA World Factbook)Religions: Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 – 89.7%, Shia 10 – 15%), other 0.3% (2009 est. from CIA World Factbook)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
5 Things to Know About Afghan Refugees
Refugees from Afghanistan comprise the largest protracted refugee population in Asia, and the second largest refugee population in the world. In light of the increasingly deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country, the violence continues to drive people from their homes in 2018.
The World Factbook – Afghanistan
Learn about Afghanistan’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, terrorism, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Burma (Myanmar)
Languages: Burmese (official, CIA World Factbook)Religions: Buddhist 87.9%, Christian 6.2%, Muslim 4.3%, Animist 0.8%, Hindu 0.5%, other 0.2%, none 0.1% (2014 est. CIA World Factbook)
Burmese Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Refugees from Burma – Considerations for Health Providers
Designed for health care professionals and others helping new refugee arrivals adjust to their resettlement communities, this health profile provides basic information about refugees from Burma, their health experiences, and cultural beliefs that may influence their approach to health.
Refugees from Burma – Their Backgrounds and Refugee Experiences
Refugee Backgrounders provide U.S. resettlement communities with basic information to better understand and serve their new clients. Backgrounders include information about a population’s history, culture, religion, language, education, and resettlement needs. Information provided by CORE.
Refugees from Burma in the United States (Burmese) – Video
This video features interviews with refugees from Burma, talking about their challenges and accomplishments dealing with learning English, employment, housing and community, rights and responsibilities, and the long process of resettlement.
Refugees from Burma in the United States (Karen) – Video
This video features interviews with refugees from Burma, talking about their challenges and accomplishments dealing with learning English, employment, housing and community, rights and responsibilities, and the long process of resettlement.
Rohingya Refugee Finds His Identity Helping Others Resettle – Video
The crackdown by military forces on the ethnic Muslim Rohingya population in Myanmar has forced hundreds of thousands from their homes and across international borders to seek refuge. Those fleeing from Myanmar, including Rohingya, now account for the largest number of refugees resettling in the United States. Their unique dialect has made resettlement and integration challenging and has fueled demand for those who can help guide them through their new life in America.
Learn about Burma’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Central African Republic
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages (CIA World Factbook)Religions: Christian 89.5%, Muslim 8.5%, folk 1%, unaffiliated 1% (2010 est. CIA World Factbook)
Refugees from Central Africa Republic in Cameroon – Video
With the on-going violence in CAR, thousands of people have been forced to flee their country and seek refugee in the neighboring countries like in Cameroon. Since beginning of January more than 8000 people have crossed the border.
Refugees from the Central African Republic in Congo – Video
Fighting and a coup since late last year in Central African Republic have forced more than 30,000 people to seek refuge in DR Congo. UNHCR chief António Guterres visited some of them.
The World Factbook – Central African Republic
Learn about CAR’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Cuba
Languages: Spanish (official)Religions: Christian 59.2%, folk 17.4%, other .4%, none 23% (2010 est. CIA World Factbook)
Cuban Refugees in the United States – Video
This video provides information for and about refugees from Cuba resettled in the United States. The video is comprised of interviews with resettled refugees and their service providers, using their own words to share their thoughts and experiences.
My Life As A Cuban Refugee | Juan Carlos Jimenez | TEDxHiltonHead – Video
A native of Cuba, Juan Carlos arrived in the U.S. at the age of 7, as part of Operation Pedro Pan. Living in Cuba during the Revolution and viewing through a child’s eyes his Family’s efforts to escape the fighting and hardships, Juan Carlos found opportunity in his new home. Living on a diet of Spam in those early years, Juan Carlos found the gift of education, and went on to become a Marine Biologist, taking him to various parts of the world where he specialized in research and rescue of the whale and manatee population. Math also beckoned Juan Carlos, and he spent 36 years as a University Math professor, and in 1997 started a Cigar factory in the D.R. that continues to thrive today. With a mutual passion for cigars and small vineyard wines, in 2012 he opened tacaron.com – a destination boutique wine and cigar shop located on Okatie Hwy 170 in Beaufort, SC. Juan Carlos Jimenez– Owner, Ta-ca-ron; Professor; Mathematician; Marine Biologist; Cuban émigré; Cigar Factory operator; wine aficionado This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Learn about Cuba’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Eritrea
Languages: Tigrinya (official), Arabic (official), English (official), Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languagesReligions: Sunni Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Eritrean refugees find new paths to the United States – Video
The secluded East African nation of Eritrea has been described by Human Rights Watch as “a giant prison,” and by others as “the Cuba of Africa” for its repressive regime. In the last decade, thousands have fled the country seeking asylum in Europe, while others have opted for a lengthy, costly and dangerous transatlantic odyssey through South and Central America to reach the United States.
The plight of Eritrean Refugees – Video
The Fifth Estate’s Mark Kelley investigates Eritrea’s refugee problem.
Learn about Eritrea’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Honduras
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian dialectsReligions: Roman Catholic 46%, Protestant 41%, atheist 1%, other 2%, none 9% (2014 est. CIA World Factbook)
Central American Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
Learn about Honduras’ background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Iraq
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish (official), Turkmen (a Turkish dialect), Syriac (Neo-Aramaic), and Armenian are official in areas where native speakers of these languages constitute a majority of the populationReligions: Muslim (official) 95-98% (Shia 64-69%, Sunni 29-34%), Christian 1% (includes Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Assyrian Church of the East), other 1-4% (2015 est. CIA World Factbook)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Iraqi Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
Refugee Backgrounders provide U.S. resettlement communities with basic information to better understand and serve their new clients. Backgrounders include information about a population’s history, culture, religion, language, education, and resettlement needs. Information provided by CORE.
Learn about Iraq’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Liberia
Languages: English 20% (official), some 20 ethnic group languages few of which can be written or used in correspondenceReligions: Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%, Traditional 0.6%, other 0.2%, none 1.5% (2008 est. CIA World Factbook)
Liberians – An Introduction to their History and Culture
Background information on prevalent refugee groups residing in the area. These cultural profiles include information about a population’s history, culture, language, religion, education, and resettlement needs.
Learn about Liberia’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Pakistan
Languages: Punjabi 48%, Sindhi 12%, Saraiki (a Punjabi variant) 10%, Pashto (alternate name, Pashtu) 8%, Urdu (official) 8%, Balochi 3%, Hindko 2%, Brahui 1%, English (official; lingua franca of Pakistani elite and most government ministries), Burushaski, and other 8%Religions: Muslim (official) 96.4% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia 10-15%), other (includes Christian and Hindu) 3.6% (2010 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Pakistan’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Somalia
Languages: Somali (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Arabic (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter), Italian, EnglishReligions: Sunni Muslim (Islam) (official, according to the 2012 Transitional Federal Charter)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Somali Bantu Community Profile
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Somali Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
The Somali Bantu – Their History and Culture
Background information on prevalent refugee groups residing in the area. These cultural profiles include information about a population’s history, culture, language, religion, education, and resettlement needs.
Learn about Somalia’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues.
- Sudan
Languages: Arabic (official), English (official), Nubian, Ta Bedawie, FurReligions: Sunni Muslim, small Christian minority
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Dafuri Refugees in the Unites States – Video
Refugees from the Darfuri region of Sudan address topics such as the need to work and entry-level positions available, education for children, learning English as an adult, time management and daily schedules.
Learn about Sudan’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Uganda
Languages: English (official language, taught in schools, used in courts of law and by most newspapers and some radio broadcasts), Ganda or Luganda (most widely used of the Niger-Congo languages and the language used most often in the capital), other Niger-Congo languages, Nilo-Saharan languages, Swahili (official), ArabicReligions: Protestant 45.1% (Anglican 32.0%, Pentecostal/Born Again/Evangelical 11.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 1.7%, Baptist .3%), Roman Catholic 39.3%, Muslim 13.7%, other 1.6%, none 0.2% (2014 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Uganda’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Vietnam
Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)Religions: Buddhist 7.9%, Catholic 6.6%, Hoa Hao 1.7%, Cao Dai 0.9%, Protestant 0.9%, Muslim 0.1%, none 81.8% (2009 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Vietnam’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Bhutan
Languages: Sharchhopka 28%, Dzongkha (official) 24%, Lhotshamkha 22%, other 26% (includes foreign languages) (2005 est. CIA World Factbook)Religions: Lamaistic Buddhist 75.3%, Indian- and Nepali-influenced Hinduism 22.1%, other 2.6% (2005 est. CIA World Factbook)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Health Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Bhutanese Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
Bhutanese Refugees in Nepal – CORE
Refugee Backgrounders provide U.S. resettlement communities with basic information to better understand and serve their new clients. Backgrounders include information about a population’s history, culture, religion, language, education, and resettlement needs. Information provided by CORE.
Bhutanese Refugees in the U.S. – Video
Refugees from Bhutan speak about their refugee background, experiences learning English in the United States, employment opportunities, education for children and adults, and other matters that affect their daily life.
Learn about Bhutan’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Burundi
Languages: Kirundi only 29.7% (official); French only .3% (official); Swahili only .2%; English only .1% (official); Kirundi and French 8.4%; Kirundi, French, and English 2.4%, other language combinations 2%, unspecified 56.9% (2008 est. CIA World Factbook)Religions: Roman Catholic 62.1%, Protestant 23.9% (includes Adventist 2.3% and other Protestant 21.6%), Muslim 2.5%, other 3.6%, unspecified 7.9% (2008 est. CIA World Factbook)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Learn about Burundi’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Colombia
Languages: Spanish (official)Religions: Roman Catholic 79%, Protestant 14% (includes Pentecostal 6%, mainline Protestant 2%, other 6%), other 2%, unspecified 5% (2014 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Columbia’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Democratic Republic of Congo
Languages: French (official), Lingala (a lingua franca trade language), Kingwana (a dialect of Kiswahili or Swahili), Kikongo, TshilubaReligions: Roman Catholic 29.9%, Protestant 26.7%, Kimbanguist 2.8%, other Christian 36.5%, Muslim 1.3%, other (includes syncretic sects and indigenous beliefs) 1.2%, none 1.3%, unspecified .2% (2014 est. CIA World Factbook)
This is a guide provided by the Office of Refugee Heath Coordinator of Arizona and is meant to provide a general cultural orientation and does not describe every person from this community.
Congolese Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
Refugee crisis as thousands flee violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo – Video
Aid agencies say they are facing a “humanitarian crisis” as thousands flee an explosion of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Video provided by ITV News.
Refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Refugee Backgrounders provide U.S. resettlement communities with basic information to better understand and serve their new clients. Backgrounders include information about a population’s history, culture, religion, language, education, and resettlement needs. Information provided by CORE.
10thirtysix | January 2019: Congolese Refugees – Video
Two stories on Congolese Refugees we first aired in 2018. With a new year comes some new developments on these stories. Hear about a young man who talks about living amidst war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and then growing up in a refugee camp with some unthinkable conditions. He’s now a U.S. citizen and trying to give back by giving orphaned children and abused women in that refugee camp, a Hope for Tomorrow. Plus, hear from some other Congolese refugees now working at a Milwaukee bakery and finding their Hope for Tomorrow in our city.
The World Factbook – Democratic Republic of the Congo
Learn about the DRC’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Guatemala
Languages: Spanish (official) 69.9%, Maya languages 29.7% (Q’eqchi’ 8.3%, K’iche 7.8%, Mam 4.4%, Kaqchikel 3%, Q’anjob’al 1.2%, Poqomchi’ 1%, other 4%), other 0.4% (includes Xinca and Garifuna) (2018 est. CIA World Factbook)
Religions: Roman Catholic, Protestant, indigenous Maya
Central American Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
The World Factbook – Guatemala
Learn about Guatemala’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Iran
Languages: Persian Farsi (official), Azeri and other Turkic dialects, Kurdish, Gilaki and Mazandarani, Luri, Balochi, ArabicReligions: Muslim (official) 99.4% (Shia 90-95%, Sunni 5-10%), other (includes Zoroastrian, Jewish, and Christian) 0.3%, unspecified 0.4% (2011 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Iran’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Kenya
Languages: English (official), Kiswahili (official), numerous indigenous languagesReligions: Christian 83% (Protestant 47.7%, Catholic 23.4%, other Christian 11.9%), Muslim 11.2%, Traditionalists 1.7%, other 1.6%, none 2.4%, unspecified 0.2% (2009 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Kenya’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Libya
Languages: Arabic (official), Italian, English (all widely understood in the major cities); Berber (Nafusi, Ghadamis, Suknah, Awjilah, Tamasheq)Religions: Muslim (official; virtually all Sunni) 96.6%, Christian 2.7%, Buddhist 0.3%, Hindu <0.1, Jewish <0.1, folk religion <0.1, unafilliated 0.2%, other <0.1 (2010 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Libya’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Rwanda
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <.1, English (official) <.1, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <.1, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est. CIA World Factbook)Religions: Protestant 49.5% (includes Adventist 11.8% and other Protestant 37.7%), Roman Catholic 43.7%, Muslim 2%, other 0.9% (includes Jehovah’s Witness), none 2.5%, unspecified 1.3% (2012 est. CIA World Factbook)
Learn about Rwanda’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- South Sudan
Languages: English (official), Arabic (includes Juba and Sudanese variants), regional languages include Dinka, Nuer, Bari, Zande, ShillukReligions: Animist, Christian, Muslim
The World Factbook – South Sudan
Learn about South Sudan’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Syria
Languages: Arabic (official), Kurdish, Armenian, Aramaic, Circassian, French, EnglishReligions: Muslim 87% (official; includes Sunni 74% and Alawi, Ismaili, and Shia 13%), Christian 10% (includes Orthodox, Uniate, and Nestorian), Druze 3%, Jewish (few remaining in Damascus and Aleppo)
Syrian Refugee Health Profile – CDC
This refugee health profile provides key health and cultural information about specific refugee groups resettling in the United States. Information is gathered from the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.S. Department of State, scientific research, and many other sources.
Refugee Backgrounders provide U.S. resettlement communities with basic information to better understand and serve their new clients. Backgrounders include information about a population’s history, culture, religion, language, education, and resettlement needs. Information provided by CORE.
Rasmi Moussa was resettled in the United States in 2016 after escaping the war in Syria with his family, and arrived without knowing a word of English. The Syrian refugee taught himself how to read, write and speak English and soon graduated from his New Haven, Connecticut high school with honors.
Learn about Syria’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
- Venezuela
Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialectsReligions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
The World Factbook – Venezuela
Learn about Venezuela’s background, geography, people and society, government, economy, energy, communications, military and security, terrorism, transportation, and transnational issues. View the one page summary here.
