The displacement of Iraqis is now the
fastest-growing refugee crisis in the world. The UN estimates that
2 million Iraqis have fled the violence in their country, and another million have left their homes seeking refuge in other parts of Iraq. Over one hundred thousand more flee every month.
Yet, incredibly, President Bush has yet to acknowledge the magnitude of the crisis.
Neighboring countries are being overwhelmed by the massive influx of refugees. Refugees International reports that the violence in Iraq has reached a deadly tipping point - most Iraqis feel that their lives are in danger.
The chaotic displacement of so many people feeds the cycle of conflict and violence that shows no sign of abating.
The U.S. must act now to ease this problem, including:
- increasing funding for the UN Refugee Agency;
- supporting neighboring countries that are absorbing the majority of the refugees; and
- taking responsibility for resettling the most vulnerable, including those who are targeted for death because of past association with Americans.
Sign the petition below to tell President Bush that he must not ignore the plight facing displaced Iraqis any longer.Dear President Bush,
I urge you to address the plight of the nearly three million Iraqi refugees who have been forced to flee the violence in their country.
Refugees International has called this the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world. The U.S. has a responsibility to help these people. I urge you to take the following three steps:
1) Lead an international initiative to support Middle Eastern countries hosting Iraqi civilians.
2) Significantly increase support for the UN Refugee Agency so that it can meet the needs of Iraqi refugees.
3) Give priority to the most vulnerable individuals, including those who have been targeted for death because of their prior association with Americans, including U.S. government, military, contractor and nonprofit organizations.
Iraqis are fleeing because they have a genuine and credible fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Whether Sunni, Shi'a, Christian or Palestinian, they have been directly victimized by armed actors. Most are certain that if they return to their homes, they will die.
[Your comment here]
Violence in Iraq has made civilian life untenable, and is creating a refugee crisis that is essentially exporting the nation's instability to neighboring countries. It is essential that the U.S. government to take the necessary steps to meet the needs of Iraqi refugees.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
