25 Dec 2007 - The Khalif family fled terrifying violence in Iraq and arrived in the Atlanta, Georgia area two weeks ago eager to start anew.  But a fire that raged through their apartment building Monday night sent them fleeing again.

Two other Iraqi refugee families, one that arrived earlier this month and the other four months ago, were among eight families displaced by the blaze, which ripped through four apartments and caused damage to the others. All of the residents escaped without injury. Firefighters believe the cause was an overloaded electrical outlet in the apartment next to the Khalif’s.

Ellen Beattie, who oversees the IRC’s refugee resettlement programs in the Atlanta area, said the refugee families are very distraught. “They’ve been through so much and suffered extreme loss. Just when they were creating new homes for themselves and their young children, something like this happens.”

The IRC helped resettle Bothinaa Mohammed and her two daughters in Atlanta in August.  “She is so stunned,” Beattie said.  “Bothinaa had just fixed up her daughters’ bedroom and is so heartbroken that it’s now gone.”

The American Red Cross has been providing emergency assistance to all the residents impacted by the fire.  Meanwhile, the IRC’s team in Atlanta has been offering comfort and additional assistance to the Iraqi families, helping them collect salvageable items, finding temporary accommodation in hotels, taking them shopping for shoes and clothes and securing new apartments.

“We are furnishing the new apartments and we expect to move the families in by Friday,” says Beattie.  “I think they understand that everything will be okay and that they are in good hands.”

To help the IRC purchase needed items for the Iraqi refugee families and others who are arriving in the Atlanta area, visit: www.theIRC.org/atlanta or call 404-292-7731 extension 43. 

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