[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

[[Page S579]]

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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