Indeed. in Iran the scale of the problem is even greater than that on the Turkish border of Iraq. H.R. 2122 would authorize the resources necessary for the United States to adequately fulfill its responsibility in this situation. This bill would authorize appropriations of $200 million for migration and refugee assistance to the Department of State. $150 million for international disaster assistance under the Foreign Assistance Act. and $50 million for contributions to international peacekeeping activities. This bill would alsoAllow use of the funds appropriated under it for reimbursement of accounts from which such assistance has already been provided. Authorize the temporary lifting of the cap on the emergency migration and refugee assistance account from $50 million to $75 million. and Allow provision of assistance only for these purposes to countries to which assistance is ordinarily prohibited. This would allow assistance for the purposes of humanitarian relief to Iran. which is host to the majority of Iraqi refugees. This mix of authorities will allow the United States. through international organizations. private voluntary agencies. and otherwise. to address the variety of needs which exists. Only part of the suffering Iraqi population is outside its country of nationality. and therefore entitled to assistance provided by refugee agencies. The resources authorized for migration and refugee assistance will allow that populations needs to be met. A population with equally compelling needs is that of persons still within Iraq. The resources authorized for international disaster assistance will partially address their needs. It was also quite clear during our recent trip that one of the most compelling needs of refugees and displaced persons is for basic security. It is also clear that. for better or worse. the United States will not indefinitely assume a role in keeping the peace. with or without allies. unless there is a transition to a United Nations or other multilateral presence. It is for this reason that our bill includes the resources for U.S. contributions. through the Department of State. to international peacekeeping activities.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees