Mr. Speaker. I rise to express my continuing concern over the refugee situation in Somalia. This small country continues its attempts to accommodate 1 million starving people. These refugees are not entirely from Somalia but stream in from surrounding countries which are involved in civil wars. Ninety percent are women and children suffering from malnutrition. malaria. dysentery. dehydration and many other diseases. The multitude of problems is increasing as the number of refugees continues to climb. Recently. the Government of Somalia ran out of fuel because of the IraqiIranian conflict. Since all 32 refugee camps are dependent on food and medicine delivered daily. the refugees are in immediate jeopardy. Compounding the transportation shortage. the Somalian Government must dip into their national food supplies to feed their citizens and the refugees as well. Impending drought necessitates 160.000 additional tons of food for the survival of the entire country and the refugees. We must not turn our backs and assume our portion is paid. As one of the refugee camp coordinators said: "Refugees do not have a home. but they belong to everyone."
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Refugees refugee refugees