DeKalb County Honors Refugees in Commemoration of World Refugee Day

Elly Yu/for WABE

DeKalb County on Tuesday honored thousands of refugees who’ve made the county their new home.

A broadcast version of this story

Some dozen refugee families and several Atlanta-based service organizations attended the proclamation in commemoration of World Refugee Day on June 20.

Joshua Htu William came from Burma, also known as Myanmar, three years ago with his wife and two kids after living in a refugee camp. He says he’s happy to be recognized and acknowledged by the community.

“I’m very proud and happy for that because we are refugees and we have to chance to stay here and it’s safe,” William said. “That’s why I’m so happy for this day.”

DeKalb County has the largest resettlement of refugees in the state. Last year, the county welcomed more than 1500 people who fled persecution from different countries.