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CWS statement on the resettlement of displaced Iraqis

August 20, 2007

Church World Service continues to be deeply concerned for the 2.2 million Iraqis who have fled their country and the 2 million who are internally displaced within Iraq due to persecution and fear of death. A large number of these people have served alongside U.S. troops as translators, drivers, mechanics and other valuable roles.

Early in 2007, the U.S. Department of State made a commitment to resettle 7,000 Iraqis with the expectation of at least 2,000 arriving by September 30 of this year. As of August 15, only a few hundred Iraqi’s have been rescued from their precarious situation and resettled to the United States. Church World Service, expecting approximately 200 Iraqis by the end of September has, to date, resettled 19 individuals.

Currently, bills have been introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives to help Iraqi refugees. These bills, along with an increased commitment from the U.S. to provide relief and protection to victimized Iraqis are crucial to affirm the United States’ commitment to the people of Iraq.

We strongly encourage the U.S. government not to back away from this modest goal of the resettlement of 2,000 refugees from Iraq by September 30. In leading efforts to stabilize Iraq, the U.S. has an obligation to protect those who have risked their lives in assisting our troops in Iraq and to help protect persons who have fled the never-ending cycle of violence that now grips Iraq.

Also read: CWS to provide assistance to Iraqis in crisis

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