FiHami in Crisis: Why This Matters For Antarcha
DRUSSLÉ: Since the hostile militia takeover in FiHami, many expatriots fled the island nation in droves. They fear their rights being stripped from them, and it is not a baseless claim. Shortly after his election in November, Prime Minister Hastofi attempted to assign a strict curfew for one of the 5 legally-recognized genders in FiHami. Hastofi has also Dubiously pardoned himself as well as ex-Ha’Coron Puani Kokostali, who was arrested for High Treason and Resisting Arrest following the release of the “Kokostali Letters” in November 2022.
FiHami refugees fled their home country for surrounding areas, though the bulk came to Antarcha thanks to Antarchan efforts to rescue political refugees, including the Acting Chief Benjamin Harris and his family, Prime Minister Candidate Kai Hastofi, and others, thanks to secret project Rébjütt I Fámilje FiHami, or R.I.F.F. R.I.F.F. failed to rescue the child in custody of the High Priest Jon Huahasi as of yet, but attempts will continue due to “reasonable suspicion of abuse”. Those rescued are currently staying in special housing set up by Queen Wynterre Kamütt of Wyntyrgarlé in Drusslé and Rymmlé until the situation is resolved or they pursue full Antarchan Citizenship.
Experts worry about the economic costs to Antarcha for housing and feeding the refugees, who would not be able to work since the Treaty of the Stars was nullified in 2024.
“While we are a rich nation, housing even 1000 refugees is a lot of money. They have to eat, they need clothes better suited to Antarchan climate, they need medical attention, they need education in order to adapt to the Antarchan economy. None of these things are cheap.” Economist Aryssa Æryma at the University of Antarcha told local news sources in an interview. “To properly care for one refugee, we need at least 20,000 Korá per person per year. Now multiply that by how many have arrived so far. That is an estimated 46 million Korá per year at our current estimate of 23k refugees.”
Per Dr. Joryss Dryssam, Majority Leader of the Antarchan Parliament, a plan is being worked out to “fast track” citizenship applications for the political refugees.
“We want to pass a resolution that will allow these refugees to seek work in Antarcha while applications are processed, while also speeding up the amount of time it takes for an application to process, should anyone wish to come to Antarcha permanently.” Dr. Dryssam spoke in an address to the press last night. “In Antarcha, we believe in Humanity.”
-Dr. Lyssé Früss, Journalist for Antarcha News