Update 2/22/08: Here is the latest from Ft. Wayne today.
We’ve been writing on and off FOR MONTHS about Fort Wayne, Indiana’s problem with way too many refugees for the county health department to handle. I was therefore surprised to get a news alert tonight about yet another plea from the stretched city for funds from the federal government. Read about how Ft. Wayne is getting advice but no money so far.
The county has not tapped into any new funding streams, but a federal agency devoted to helping re-settle refugees in this country has people in the city this week advising local officials on what help may be out there.
Ft. Wayne has had problems with large numbers of refugees arriving wth TB and the city is anticipating another 800 refugees this year.
We’ve said it before, and we will say it again. The city could just say “NO”—no new refugees until funding is found.
We have a whole archive of Ft. Wayne posts here.