Chairman. I thank the ranking member and the chairman. I want to acknowledge the work that the gentleman from Arizona has done and the gentlewoman from New York has done on the Darfur crisis as relates to the refugees. and I hope that maybe as we discuss this matter. I can work with the distinguished gentleman and the distinguished gentlewoman on conference language that responds to my concern. We originally had this amendment include the words "not against their will." The reason. Mr. Chairman. is that in the time that I spent in Chad with the refugees that have been resettled in Chad. I saw that the crisis in Darfur and the surrounding border areas between Sudan and Chad still exist. We have made great strides in providing resources to the region. but as I traveled to Chad and met with the leadership of Chad. they talked about the enormous challenges that they are presently having with their refugees and the refugees from Sudan and the need for resources. At the same time as I talked one on one to the refugees that were there. they expressed to me that the brutality was still going on. Of course. in Chad we find that there is a lack of sufficient water. adequate medical supplies. and. of course. the possibility that the Janjaweed will come across the border and raid them at will. But at the same time. these refugees were frightened about the possibility of being returned to Sudan because the Government of Chad may be overwhelmed with the resources needed to protect them. 5L. Pt. 11 June 28. 2005 I believe. of course. that we can help provide the resources to Chad needed to protect those refugees. and the United Nations refugee resettlement effort was very much in force and very much an effective tool. But as we know. the genocidal regime in Sudan has left 2.5 million people displaced and at least 380.000 people dead in Darfur. We also know that there is a continuing number of refugees that have come across the border. Due to increasing violence. 15.000 innocent civilians continue to die each month. Genocide cannot continue on our watch.
Keywords matched
refugees refugee