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Refugee leader recounts escape from Democratic Republic of the Congo, volunteering with UNHCR and resettlement in Ohio
Summary
A young refugee identified as Lehi described fleeing forced recruitment and tribal violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, living in refugee camps, volunteering with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR on protection and climate programs, and resettling in Ohio.
Lehi, a refugee leader who volunteers with the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR, told meeting attendees that armed-group pressure and tribal violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo forced him to flee and seek safety.
"They told me that if I don't want to join, that means I'm supposed to be killed," Lehi said, describing pressure to join an armed group when a boy turns 18 and his father's refusal to assent.
Lehi said he took a long bus journey to a…
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