MARKING THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONFLICT IN SYRIA AND THE PLIGHT OF SYRIA'S REFUGEES; Congressional Record Vol. 160, No. 44

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MARKING THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF THE CONFLICT IN SYRIA AND THE PLIGHT

OF SYRIA'S REFUGEES

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HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

of massachusetts

in the house of representatives

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues from

the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission to mark a tragic milestone in

the conflict in Syria. It has now been three years that the nation of

Syria has been engulfed in a war that has only grown more violent over

time and has fomented increasing stability throughout the region. The

men, women, and children of Syria have endured unspeakable violence and

devastating attacks that have ruined their homes and neighborhoods.

The scale of displacement in Syria has been called the worst refugee

crisis in recent history. Indeed, approximately one-third of the entire

population has been forced to flee their homes. According to the United

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, over 2.5 Syrians have fled the

country since March 2011, while another 6.5 million Syrians have been

internally displaced. Syria has gone from being one of the largest

refugee-hosting nations to surpassing Afghanistan as the largest source

of refugees in the world today.

Syria's neighbors have been profoundly affected by the conflict, both

by the spillover of violence and the massive influx of refugees that

have sought, and continue to seek, safety abroad. Jordan, Lebanon,

Turkey, and Iraq have already taken in about 2.1 million refugees. One

million refugees are in Lebanon. As a result, Lebanon's total

population has increased by one-fifth. That would be like adding an

additional 60 million people to the U.S. population all at once. Turkey

has 634,900 refugees and Jordan is sheltering 584,000 Syrians, with

100,000 in the Zaatari refugee camp alone. Even Iraq, which once saw a

vast flow of refugees into Syria, is now seeing a significant reverse

flow.

These nations, with assistance from the United States, the European

Union, the United Nations, and the international community are doing

all they can. However, resources are limited and the refugee camps are

overcrowded. Additionally, while the refugees may have found protection

from the war, many Syrian women and girls are instead encountering

alarming levels of sexual and domestic violence. This is no way for the

Syrian people to live.

The only solution is for the global community to come together to

support a final lasting political resolution that will bring peace and

stability and allow these refugees to come home and rebuild their

country. I join with my fellow Members to call for renewed efforts to

help support the refugees and their host nations, and to finally end

this reprehensible conflict once and for all.

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