WASHINGTON, DC—Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton introduced legislation to address the growing humanitarian crisis and potential security breakdown resulting from the influx of Iraqi refugees into neighboring countries. The Iraqi Refugee and Internally Displaced Personal Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Alcee L. Hastings, would increase directed accountable assistance to these host countries while facilitating the resettlement of Iraqis at risk.

“The United States has an obligation to address this great and growing crisis in Iraq and other countries in the region. This legislation will take important steps to ease the burden on host countries that have seen this influx of refugees and to help resettle the displaced population within Iraq. I’m proud to join with Chairman Hastings in this effort to bring American leadership to this challenging situation,” said Senator Clinton.

“I want to thank Senator Clinton for her leadership in introducing this critical legislation that comprehensively addresses this worsening humanitarian crisis,” said Congressman Hastings. “Iraqi refugees and IDPs continue to suffer daily. This is the largest displacement of individuals in the Middle East since 1948 – approximately 4.7 million Iraqis. As resources are depleted and Iraqis remain stranded, jobless, and deprived of essential services – they will look for any means to survive. This is a recipe for disaster. I believe that the United States has a moral obligation to take the lead and provide a ‘humanitarian surge’ in responding to this crisis. The future of the Middle East depends on it.”

Senator Clinton’s legislation would require the United States to take the lead in providing relief to vulnerable populations and meeting requests from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The administration would appoint a Special Coordinator for Iraqi Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to devise and execute a long-term comprehensive strategy in coordination with the Government of Iraq, host countries, the UN, and non-governmental organizations to meet humanitarian and security needs of Iraqi refugees and displaced persons.

The following organizations have endorsed Congressman Hastings’s companion legislation: The Campaign for Innocent Victims of Conflict (CIVIC), Church World Service, Congregation of Divine Providence of San Antonio, TX, Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, Houston, Texas, Education for Peace in Iraq Center, International Medical Corps, International Rescue Committee, the Iraq Foundation, the Leadership Conference on Women Religious, the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Mercy Center, Mercy Corps, National Catholic Peace Movement, NETWORK, Office of Justice and Peace of the Sisters of Charity of New York, Open Society Policy Center, Pax Christi USA: the Presbyterian Church (USA), Refugees International, Save the Children, Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Dubuque, Iowa, Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, Kansas City, Kansas, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team, Sisters of St. Francis in Tiffin, Ohio, and Sisters of St. Joseph NW Pennsylvania.

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