FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
March 24, 2015
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Lisa O. Monaco’s Meeting with Lebanese Minister of the Interior Nouhad al-Machnouk
This afternoon, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco met with Lebanese Minister of the Interior Nouhad Al-Machnouk to discuss the U.S.–Lebanon partnership and regional security concerns, including the international effort to degrade and defeat ISIL. Ms. Monaco commended the performance of the Internal Security Forces and the Lebanese Armed Forces in safeguarding Lebanon’s security and sovereignty in the midst of ongoing regional challenges and reiterated the need for all Lebanese parties to implement the policy of dissociation, including from the Syrian conflict. Lebanon’s security forces alone have the legitimacy and responsibility to defend Lebanon's borders and safeguard its citizens, and are accountable to all Lebanese citizens. Ms. Monaco and Minister Machnouk also agreed on the need for sustained international support to aid Syrian refugees and host communities in Lebanon. Ms. Monaco expressed her hope that Lebanon’s parliament will take steps to elect a president of the Lebanese Republic in accordance with the constitution.
Showing posts with label SYRIAN REFUGEES. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SYRIAN REFUGEES. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
U.S. ASSUMES LEAD ROLE IN DEALING WITH SYRIAN REFUGEES
FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
U.S. Plans To Lead in Resettling Syrian Refugees
Remarks
Anne C. Richard
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Geneva, Switzerland
December 9, 2014
As prepared
I would like to thank HC Guterres and Renata Dubini. Your leadership on the Syria crisis has made a huge difference, as has all of your work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people on the planet.
I also want to recognize Germany and Sweden for their commitment to Syrian refugees and asylum seekers. We are also grateful to Sweden for leading the Syrian Resettlement Core Group over the last year.
We applaud the generosity of Syria’s neighbors. They opened their borders and took in Syrian refugees. Like the High Commissioner I have visited all the host countries represented here today. These countries have helped save millions of lives.
As the flow of refugees has grown to a mass exodus, countries hosting refugees in the region have contended with overcrowded hospitals and schools, shortages of everything from housing to water, economic pressures and recent evidence of mounting public resentment.
But these very real burdens must pale in comparison to the daily struggles of Syrians themselves.
Imagine losing practically everything – your loved ones, your home, your profession, and your dignity. Imagine the frustration of languishing for years, unable to work or send children to school, exhausting your resources and relying on handouts. Imagine fearing that this situation is never going to end.
For Syrians and for other victims of violence and persecution – resettlement offers not just an escape, but a chance to start over.
A family from Homs, a shop owner, his wife, and their six children, experienced this flight and rescue. In August of 2010, the father was standing in a crowd of peaceful protesters when the Syrian military arrived and opened fire. Bodies piled up in front of his shop, shells reduced it to rubble, neighbors disappeared, and soldiers ransacked the family’s apartment and made threats. The family fled to Jordan, and they were eventually resettled in the United States. The parents say one of their dreams has already come true. All of their children are back in school.
Only a small fraction of those who want to be resettled can be – only about one hundred thousand refugees per year, worldwide. There are more than six times that many Syrian refugees in Jordan alone.
But war’s true cost is measured in human suffering. Resettlement can help – one person at a time – to bring that suffering to an end.
We applaud the 25 countries that have agreed to resettle Syrian refugees, including some who will be accepting UNHCR refugee referrals for the first time. The United States accepts the majority of all UNHCR referrals from around the world. Last year, we reached our goal of resettling nearly 70,000 refugees from nearly 70 countries. And we plan to lead in resettling Syrians as well. We are reviewing some 9,000 recent UNHCR referrals from Syria. We are receiving roughly a thousand new ones each month, and we expect admissions from Syria to surge in 2015 and beyond.
Like most other refugees resettled in the United States, they will get help from the International Organization for Migration with medical exams and transportation to the United States. Once they arrive, networks of resettlement agencies, charities, churches, civic organizations and local volunteers will welcome them. These groups work in 180 communities across the country and make sure refugees have homes, furniture, clothes, English classes, job training, health care and help enrolling their children in school. They are now preparing key contacts in American communities to welcome Syrians.
I am inspired both by the resilience of refugees we resettle, and the compassion of those who help them. Resettlement cannot replace what refugees have lost or erase what they have endured. But it can renew hope and help restart lives. That can make all the difference.
Thank you.
U.S. Plans To Lead in Resettling Syrian Refugees
Remarks
Anne C. Richard
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Geneva, Switzerland
December 9, 2014
As prepared
I would like to thank HC Guterres and Renata Dubini. Your leadership on the Syria crisis has made a huge difference, as has all of your work on behalf of some of the most vulnerable people on the planet.
I also want to recognize Germany and Sweden for their commitment to Syrian refugees and asylum seekers. We are also grateful to Sweden for leading the Syrian Resettlement Core Group over the last year.
We applaud the generosity of Syria’s neighbors. They opened their borders and took in Syrian refugees. Like the High Commissioner I have visited all the host countries represented here today. These countries have helped save millions of lives.
As the flow of refugees has grown to a mass exodus, countries hosting refugees in the region have contended with overcrowded hospitals and schools, shortages of everything from housing to water, economic pressures and recent evidence of mounting public resentment.
But these very real burdens must pale in comparison to the daily struggles of Syrians themselves.
Imagine losing practically everything – your loved ones, your home, your profession, and your dignity. Imagine the frustration of languishing for years, unable to work or send children to school, exhausting your resources and relying on handouts. Imagine fearing that this situation is never going to end.
For Syrians and for other victims of violence and persecution – resettlement offers not just an escape, but a chance to start over.
A family from Homs, a shop owner, his wife, and their six children, experienced this flight and rescue. In August of 2010, the father was standing in a crowd of peaceful protesters when the Syrian military arrived and opened fire. Bodies piled up in front of his shop, shells reduced it to rubble, neighbors disappeared, and soldiers ransacked the family’s apartment and made threats. The family fled to Jordan, and they were eventually resettled in the United States. The parents say one of their dreams has already come true. All of their children are back in school.
Only a small fraction of those who want to be resettled can be – only about one hundred thousand refugees per year, worldwide. There are more than six times that many Syrian refugees in Jordan alone.
But war’s true cost is measured in human suffering. Resettlement can help – one person at a time – to bring that suffering to an end.
We applaud the 25 countries that have agreed to resettle Syrian refugees, including some who will be accepting UNHCR refugee referrals for the first time. The United States accepts the majority of all UNHCR referrals from around the world. Last year, we reached our goal of resettling nearly 70,000 refugees from nearly 70 countries. And we plan to lead in resettling Syrians as well. We are reviewing some 9,000 recent UNHCR referrals from Syria. We are receiving roughly a thousand new ones each month, and we expect admissions from Syria to surge in 2015 and beyond.
Like most other refugees resettled in the United States, they will get help from the International Organization for Migration with medical exams and transportation to the United States. Once they arrive, networks of resettlement agencies, charities, churches, civic organizations and local volunteers will welcome them. These groups work in 180 communities across the country and make sure refugees have homes, furniture, clothes, English classes, job training, health care and help enrolling their children in school. They are now preparing key contacts in American communities to welcome Syrians.
I am inspired both by the resilience of refugees we resettle, and the compassion of those who help them. Resettlement cannot replace what refugees have lost or erase what they have endured. But it can renew hope and help restart lives. That can make all the difference.
Thank you.
Thursday, February 13, 2014
READOUT: VP BIDEN MEETING WITH KING ABDULLAH II OF JORDAN
FROM: THE WHITE HOUSE
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan
The Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for breakfast at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President and the King discussed ongoing efforts to bring about a political transition and an end to the conflict in Syria. They spoke about how best to address the growing threat of violent extremism fueled by the Syrian conflict. The Vice President and the King agreed on the urgent need for greater humanitarian access inside Syria and continued support for Syrian refugees and host communities. The Vice President voiced U.S. support for the King’s efforts to achieve political and economic progress. Both sides expressed appreciation for the enduring strength of the U.S.-Jordan partnership. The King will meet with President Obama in Rancho Mirage, California, on Friday.
Readout of Vice President Biden’s Meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan
The Vice President hosted His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for breakfast at the Naval Observatory. The Vice President and the King discussed ongoing efforts to bring about a political transition and an end to the conflict in Syria. They spoke about how best to address the growing threat of violent extremism fueled by the Syrian conflict. The Vice President and the King agreed on the urgent need for greater humanitarian access inside Syria and continued support for Syrian refugees and host communities. The Vice President voiced U.S. support for the King’s efforts to achieve political and economic progress. Both sides expressed appreciation for the enduring strength of the U.S.-Jordan partnership. The King will meet with President Obama in Rancho Mirage, California, on Friday.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE PANETTA PLEDGES HELP TO JORDAN FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
Panetta Pledges Help to Jordan for Syrian RefugeesBy Cheryl Pellerin
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 2, 2012 - Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta today pledged to explore ways to continue U.S. help in providing humanitarian aid to those affected by violence in Syria.
A meeting between Panetta and King Abdullah in Amman, Jordan, focused on regional security challenges, most notably Syria and recent refugee flows into Jordan, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.
"They talked not only about how to deal with the current crisis that is being fueled by the intolerable acts of the Assad regime," Little said in a written statement, "but also the prospects for political transition in a post-Assad Syria."
Panetta and King Abdullah agreed that strong international pressure must be sustained to make it clear that Syrian leader Bashar Assad must go, and that the Syrian people deserve to determine their own future, the press secretary said.
Panetta also reiterated the U.S. commitment to its strategic relationship with Jordan and to the strong defense relationship between the two countries, Little added.
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