[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S578-S579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SENATE RESOLUTION 361--URGING ROBUST FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF
FOR SYRIA
Mr. CORKER (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Perdue, Mrs. Boxer, Mr.
Murphy, Mr. Markey, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Coons, Mr. Udall, Mr. Kaine, and
Mr. Menendez) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations:
S. Res. 361
Whereas the conflict in Syria, which is in its fifth year,
has taken the lives of over 250,000 Syrians and displaced
millions more;
Whereas the humanitarian needs for Syria are overwhelming
and require a sustained, tangible response from the entire
international community to ensure that the short- and long-
term needs of the Syrian people are addressed;
Whereas as the short- and long-term needs of the Syrian
people increase, the availability of basic services for the
almost 4,600,000 Syrians sheltering in Jordan, Lebanon, and
other neighboring countries, which are already under severe
strain, is diminishing;
Whereas addressing the humanitarian situation in Syria and
in Syrian refugee-hosting countries is an essential component
to providing stability to the region;
Whereas the Government of Kuwait, notably, hosted pledging
conferences in 2013, 2014, and 2015 to raise funds for United
Nations humanitarian appeals for Syria;
Whereas the pledges to previous United Nations humanitarian
appeals for Syria have failed to meet the humanitarian needs
of the Syrian crisis, as determined by the United Nations;
Whereas not all pledges are fully converted into donations,
further adding to the difficulty in meeting the humanitarian
needs of Syria;
Whereas on February 4, 2016, the Governments of the United
Kingdom, Germany, Kuwait, and Norway will host a fourth Syria
conference in London to raise funds and support for the
United Nations humanitarian appeal for Syria;
Whereas the fourth Syria conference aims to significantly
increase funding--
(1) to address the immediate and long-term needs of
individuals affected by the Syrian conflict; and
(2) to maintain pressure on parties to the conflict to
protect civilians affected by the conflict;
Whereas as of February 2016, the United States is the
largest single humanitarian donor to the Syrian crisis and
has given over $4,500,000,000 in humanitarian relief for
Syria; and
Whereas the United Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany, and Norway are
allies of the United States and have demonstrated commitment
to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Syria: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) commends the Governments of the United Kingdom, Kuwait,
Germany, and Norway for their efforts to address the
humanitarian crisis in Syria, including the substantial
financial commitments made by the Governments of the United
Kingdom, Kuwait, Germany, and Norway;
(2) encourages the international community to act with
urgency--
(A) to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria and in
Syrian refugee-hosting countries in the region; and
(B) to support the upcoming Syria conference in London by
joining the United States and other countries with
substantial pledges of assistance; and
(3) urges each donor country to fulfil the United Nations
pledging commitments to Syria to address the short- and long-
term humanitarian needs of the Syrian people.
Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, Senator Corker and I are submitting a
resolution today that urges all nations to contribute in order to
address the humanitarian crisis in Syria. On February 4, in London, the
British, German, Kuwaiti, and Norwegian governments will join with the
United Nations to host the ``Supporting Syria and the Region''
conference.
The numbers are well known, but bear repeating. The international
community has a responsibility to help the 13.5 million vulnerable and
displaced people inside Syria, and the 4.2 million Syrian refugees in
neighbouring countries. We must step up our efforts.
Current pledges to the 2015 UN appeal have not even reached last
year's levels--$3.3 billion against an appeal of $8.4 billion. Even
this figure still masks the fact that not all pledges are met, building
up needs for future years. The world must do more, and now is the time
to act.
The United States is already the largest donor to Syria, giving more
than $4.5 billion to date, and Congress
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has been instrumental and bipartisan in its support of humanitarian
relief for Syria. We must maintain this effort, as the need has never
been greater. But we also need the entire international community to
stand up on this issue. It cannot just be the responsibility of the
usual generous donors to meet the needs of Syria.
The humanitarian crisis in Syria is a stain on the conscience of the
world, and the whole world needs to be part of the solution. This is
not just a moral question, although it ought to be. We need to bring
peace to Syria, food to Syrians, and safety to Syria's children.
Without these basic elements, we are allowing a breeding ground for
disillusionment, extremism, and indeed terrorism to grow. So this is
also about our shared national security interests. Every nation should
therefore step up to the plate: all responsibility cannot and should
not fall on Syria and its neighbours.
We urge all nations to participate in the conference in London on
February 4, prepared to make significant donations that meet the UN
appeal. We hope that senior-level representation and contributions by
donor states will redefine the nature of this conference to prepare for
long term humanitarian support to Syrians.
Five years into the Syrian conflict, it is easy for donor fatigue to
set in. But this is nothing compared to what Syrian refugees are
experiencing daily. Whether they have been displaced inside Syria,
whether they are building lives in refugee camps in Turkey and Jordan,
whether they are trying to integrate into a new city, or whether they
are risking their lives in crossing open seas, refugees are facing
daily challenges to their very existence. Our resolve to alleviate the
hardships and suffering this conflict has caused must, at a minimum,
equal theirs.
The February 4 conference in London is an opportunity for nations to
meet this crisis with the resources and determination necessary to
address the short and long term needs of the Syrian people. The
bipartisan resolution Senator Corker and I are putting forward
encourages the international community to act with urgency to alleviate
the humanitarian crisis in Syria and in Syrian refugee-hosting
countries in the region. It encourages nations to not only fulfill
their previous pledges, but to commit to doing more.
We must find ways to reduce the barriers preventing refugees from
rebuilding their lives. Granting refugees the right to work and access
basic services, and funding integration programs, are important goals
in that respect.
Education is also key. We must ensure that all children and young
people affected by the conflict have access to a safe and quality
education by both strengthening national education systems and
investing in alternative learning pathways. When parents can't find
educational opportunities for their children, they move away or put
their children into the workforce. Without education, we risk losing a
generation of young people.
The United States, which has been the largest single humanitarian
donor to date, will continue to lead in this effort, along with our
partners. We will continue to lead because addressing the humanitarian
crisis is part and parcel of achieving a political resolution to the
conflict. It is integral to preserving regional stability and global
stability.
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