Who We Are and What We Do

The Alliance for African Assistance was founded in 1989 in San Diego, California by Walter Lam, himself a refugee, with the aim of addressing the many needs of San Diego’s growing African refugee population. The original mission is to assist, by means of generous contributions and grants, new arrivals in adjusting to American culture. The mission has expanded in recent years to assist refugees in Africa and Europe as well.  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.

For over 30 years, the Alliance for African Assistance has worked to provide assistance 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.

Today we remain dedicated to providing social, cultural, and educational support to all refugees in the resettlement process. Such assistance includes preparing host families; securing safe and affordable housing, help with rent and transportation, health screenings, enrolling children in school, English language classes and translation services, and job assistance and training. We have successfully resettled more than 13,000 refugees from Africa, Europe and Asia.