Mr. Speaker. I rise in strong support of this Iraqi refugee supplemental appropriation. The refugee situations on both the northern and southern borders of Iraq are unprecedented. The number of Kurds fleeing into such dangerous terrain and unfavorable weather conditions illustrates the political reasons for refugee situations and the fear these people have of Saddam Hussein. We responded to the invasion of Kuwait and now we must respond to the human injustice the Kurds are trying to escape. Our efforts. although too late for some Kurdish refugees. many of them children. must continue at all urgency to help the thousands of other Kurdish refugees still caught in this crisis. As world leaders we have the responsibility to protect the human rights of these people. The need for shelter. food. medical supplies. water. and adequate clothing cannot be underestimated. As we all are aware. refugee camps are being established in the northern areas of Iraq. We must not abandon these people once the camps are established. They have many obstacles before them as they seek to resettle permanently. Safety and security must be ensured for these people. As a member of the House Select Committee on Hunger. I caution us not to let our actions here today on behalf of the Iraqi refugees minimize the need to act on other critical refugee situations throughout the world. especially in the Horn of Africa. Chairman TONY HALL has worked tirelessly on behalf of the worlds refugees and recently traveled to the IraqTurkey border to observe the refugee situation first hand. Representative DORGAN has also taken a keen interest in the refugee situation in East Africa. I applaud their efforts. Again.
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refugee refugees