.

The face of a refugee is ethnically and culturally diverse and represents many ages, religions, and education levels. According to United Nations High Commission for Refugees, females make up over 50 percent of the world’s refugee population and they are clearly the most vulnerable. Without doubt, resettling refugees requires collaborative efforts by all interested parties, and the job is never truly finished.

According to Jack Straw, "We have a long road to travel before we can achieve a protection regime which is genuinely fair and effective and not subverted by criminal traffickers. As long as we have conflicts and natural disasters, the problem of refugees will be with us and what might change is how we how we choose to deal with it."

                      Mission Statement

Guided by Christian values, our mission is to assist refugees, immigrants, the economically challenged, and underserved to become self-sufficient productive members of their communities.  

To provide assistance, here in the United States and abroad, to: refugees, internally displaced persons, immigrants, those seeking asylum, victims of torture and war, distressed women and children, and altogether those suffering from economical hardship to become self-sufficient and help bring back their dignity and respect.

The Alliance for African Assistance is a nonprofit organization and is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3) public charity. The Alliance was originally established in 1989 to address the needs of San Diego’s growing African refugee population. The Alliance was formed as a volunteer organization. Volunteers were mainly African Refugees helping newly arrived refuges coming to San Diego. The Alliance assists, by means of generous contributions and grants, new arrivals in adjusting to American culture. The Alliance for African Assistance has remained unceasing in its dedication to provide social, cultural, and educational support and guidance to all refugees in their resettlement process.

The Alliance’s two main offices are located in metropolitan San Diego with overseas offices in Uganda and Britain. The Alliance has expanded its program to include a wide range of services to refugees from diverse cultural backgrounds here in the United States and abroad. The Alliance has successfully employed a multidimensional approach as a service provider in order to help overcome barriers unique to different refugee populations.

1990–1991
-Received first grant from the Presbytery of San Diego
-Safari seconds Thrift Store was opened.

1991-1992
-The Board of Directors voted to assist refugees from all over the world.

1995-1996
-The Alliance received first government grant to provide aid to refugees.

1996-1997
-Became an affiliate of ECDC (Ethiopian Community Development Council).

1999–2005
-Alliance celebrates its 10th anniversary
-Organization expands to 4 locations.
-20 programs staffed by 53 employees.
-Staff comprised from 16 different countries around the world. -Staff speaks 42 different languages to aid refugees

New refugees are given a comprehensive orientation upon arrival here in the United States. They are integrated into mainstream educational, social, and employment activities that focus on the goal of achieving self-sufficiency and well-being. These programs include: English language proficiency, job skills, educational development, culturally sensitive integration, mental health coping strategies, general health and wellness, time and money management, and other risk factors. Alliance engages in augmenting the achievements of other refugees through participating organizations and leaders as well as through career development and training incentives.

 Matthew 25
 ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in"