SENATE RESOLUTION 361--URGING ROBUST FUNDING FOR HUMANITARIAN RELIEF FOR SYRIA; Congressional Record Vol. 162, No. 20

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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:

\[S. Res. 361\](https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-resolution/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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