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| Helping You Help Iraqi Refugees |
| REFUGEE PROJECTS AMMAN, JORDAN |
| PROJECTS in IRAQ |
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Food Rations for the Hungry
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A ‘Surge’ for Refugees - New York Times
By MORTON ABRAMOWITZ, GEORGE RUPP, JOHN WHITEHEAD and JAMES WOLFENSOHN
IT is a grave humanitarian crisis: 1.5 million Iraqi refugees living in
deplorable and declining conditions in Syria and Jordan.
They are clustered not in camps but in overcrowded urban neighborhoods,
crammed into dark, squalid apartments. Many have been traumatized by
extreme violence. Their savings are dwindling; many cannot afford to pay
for rent, heat and food; few have proper medical care.
After meeting with refugees, leaders in both Syria and Jordan and United
Nations experts, we came to the inescapable conclusion that this crisis
could endure for years and that much more help is needed now.
There is absolutely no denying that the United States has a special
responsibility to help. The sectarian violence these Iraqi refugees have fled
is a byproduct of the invasion and its chaotic aftermath — yet America has
paradoxically done far less than its traditionally generous response.
But while the United States must lead, the scale of this humanitarian
emergency and its uncertain duration require international contributions,
including the active participation of European and Gulf Arab states.
The refugees face three alternatives: return, remain or resettle.
None is a good option. It is too dangerous to go back, they will
become increasingly destitute if they remain where they are, and
yet only a few will be resettled in other countries.
The United States and the international community must therefore take
three actions to ease the plight of displaced Iraqis until the day comes
when they can safely return home.
First, these refugees simply need more aid. We estimate that to serve
this population a minimum of $2 billion is needed annually for at least the
next two to four years and it is fitting that the United States cover at least
half of this cost.
Contributions from the international community have been woefully
inadequate. So far this year the United States has given only $208 million
in direct humanitarian assistance for displaced Iraqis. The gulf states have
given $11 million since last October. And with its significant oil funds, the
Iraqi government must do better in assisting its own uprooted citizens: the
$25 million it has allocated in this year’s budget is grossly insufficient. Host
countries must also allow nongovernmental organizations better access to
Iraqi refugees and affected local communities.
Second, because a sizable population of Iraqis will not return home under
any circumstances, more refugees must be resettled in more third
countries. Unfortunately, many doors have closed or are being closed.
Again, the United States must lead, and it is failing: our government has
resettled fewer than 5,000 Iraqi refugees since the war began.
This year America should at a minimum meet its target of resettling 12,000
Iraqi refugees and fulfilling its commitment to admit 5,000 Iraqis (and their
dependents) who have worked for the United States and are eligible for
special immigrant visas.
In the years ahead, the United States can realistically admit at least 30,000
Iraqis annually. European countries — especially Britain, which, like
America, bears a particular responsibility — should be taking in larger
numbers of vulnerable Iraqis like single women with children and those
who worked for the coalition.
Third, it is important to bring attention to the Iraq refugee problem.
To this end, the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, should
organize a high-level conference of regional countries and interested
donors.
The conference should examine the plight of Iraqi refugees and pledge
concrete help. Because there is also an urgent need for actions that can
improve conditions in Iraq and facilitate the safe, voluntary return of many
refugees, the conference must include foreign ministers who can grapple
with the diplomatic and political aspects of the crisis, not simply the
humanitarian ones.
Discussions about Iraq both here and abroad inevitably focus on
the surge and on time-lines for troop withdrawal. Missing is any
realistic assessment of the fate of Iraqi refugees, 1.5 million people
who have a crucial role to play in ensuring the long-term stability of
the region.
Morton Abramowitz is a former president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. George Rupp
is a former president of Columbia. John Whitehead is a former deputy secretary of state. James Wolfensohn is
a former president of the World Bank. They are members of the International Rescue Committee’s board.
Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
By MORTON ABRAMOWITZ, GEORGE RUPP, JOHN WHITEHEAD and JAMES WOLFENSOHN
IT is a grave humanitarian crisis: 1.5 million Iraqi refugees living in
deplorable and declining conditions in Syria and Jordan.
They are clustered not in camps but in overcrowded urban neighborhoods,
crammed into dark, squalid apartments. Many have been traumatized by
extreme violence. Their savings are dwindling; many cannot afford to pay
for rent, heat and food; few have proper medical care.
After meeting with refugees, leaders in both Syria and Jordan and United
Nations experts, we came to the inescapable conclusion that this crisis
could endure for years and that much more help is needed now.
There is absolutely no denying that the United States has a special
responsibility to help. The sectarian violence these Iraqi refugees have fled
is a byproduct of the invasion and its chaotic aftermath — yet America has
paradoxically done far less than its traditionally generous response.
But while the United States must lead, the scale of this humanitarian
emergency and its uncertain duration require international contributions,
including the active participation of European and Gulf Arab states.
The refugees face three alternatives: return, remain or resettle.
None is a good option. It is too dangerous to go back, they will
become increasingly destitute if they remain where they are, and
yet only a few will be resettled in other countries.
The United States and the international community must therefore take
three actions to ease the plight of displaced Iraqis until the day comes
when they can safely return home.
First, these refugees simply need more aid. We estimate that to serve
this population a minimum of $2 billion is needed annually for at least the
next two to four years and it is fitting that the United States cover at least
half of this cost.
Contributions from the international community have been woefully
inadequate. So far this year the United States has given only $208 million
in direct humanitarian assistance for displaced Iraqis. The gulf states have
given $11 million since last October. And with its significant oil funds, the
Iraqi government must do better in assisting its own uprooted citizens: the
$25 million it has allocated in this year’s budget is grossly insufficient. Host
countries must also allow nongovernmental organizations better access to
Iraqi refugees and affected local communities.
Second, because a sizable population of Iraqis will not return home under
any circumstances, more refugees must be resettled in more third
countries. Unfortunately, many doors have closed or are being closed.
Again, the United States must lead, and it is failing: our government has
resettled fewer than 5,000 Iraqi refugees since the war began.
This year America should at a minimum meet its target of resettling 12,000
Iraqi refugees and fulfilling its commitment to admit 5,000 Iraqis (and their
dependents) who have worked for the United States and are eligible for
special immigrant visas.
In the years ahead, the United States can realistically admit at least 30,000
Iraqis annually. European countries — especially Britain, which, like
America, bears a particular responsibility — should be taking in larger
numbers of vulnerable Iraqis like single women with children and those
who worked for the coalition.
Third, it is important to bring attention to the Iraq refugee problem.
To this end, the United Nations secretary general, Ban Ki-Moon, should
organize a high-level conference of regional countries and interested
donors.
The conference should examine the plight of Iraqi refugees and pledge
concrete help. Because there is also an urgent need for actions that can
improve conditions in Iraq and facilitate the safe, voluntary return of many
refugees, the conference must include foreign ministers who can grapple
with the diplomatic and political aspects of the crisis, not simply the
humanitarian ones.
Discussions about Iraq both here and abroad inevitably focus on
the surge and on time-lines for troop withdrawal. Missing is any
realistic assessment of the fate of Iraqi refugees, 1.5 million people
who have a crucial role to play in ensuring the long-term stability of
the region.
Morton Abramowitz is a former president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. George Rupp
is a former president of Columbia. John Whitehead is a former deputy secretary of state. James Wolfensohn is
a former president of the World Bank. They are members of the International Rescue Committee’s board.
Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
| Other Items of Interest: |
| We are starting a CRPGoogle Groups discussion where you will have the opportunity to communicate with our Amman Team members & with others who are interested in this humanitarian disaster. Click HERE to see our group We hope you will join us! |
| The Collateral Repair Project |
| '...CRP represents the soul of the American people...' MEDEA BENJAMIN |
| Make your Mothers Day gift to your mom a gift to an Iraqi mother too |
| CODEPINK partners with the Collateral Repair Project in Amman click on photo to find out more |
| 'My Beautiful Life' photo album of one famiy's life in pre-invasion Iraq |
NEW
| Iraqi refugees share their thoughts & experiences |