WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Delahunt’s Foreign Affairs Subcommittee will hold a joint hearing tomorrow with the Middle East Subcommittee to examine the Administration’s efforts to address the Iraqi Refugee crisis. The panel will specifically focus on humanitarian aid and resettlement efforts.
This hearing follows a briefing held by Delahunt a few weeks ago which featured testimony from United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees Craig Johnstone. In his testimony, Johnstone discussed the severe financial constraints placed on his organization. He admitted that even if the UNHCR appeal request for $261 million for this year were fully funded, it would not cover half the costs of helping the most desperate of the estimated 4 to 5 million refugees. He argued that the United States and the UN can do more to address this crisis.
WHO: Joint hearing of the Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight, and Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia.
DATE: Tuesday, March 11, 2008
TIME: 2:00 PM
WHERE: Room 210 Cannon House Office Building
SUBJECT: Neglected Responsibilities- The US Response to the Iraqi Refugee Crisis
WITNESSES:
The Honorable James B. Foley Senior Coordinator, Iraqi Refugee Issues U.S. Department of State
The Honorable Lawrence Butler Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs U.S. Department of State
Ms. Lori Scialabba Special Adviser to the Secretary of Homeland Security for Iraqi Refugees U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Mr. Greg Gottlieb Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance U.S. Agency for International Development
Mr. Stephen A. “Tony” Edson Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services Bureau of Consular Affairs U.S. Department of State
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