Refugees International is concerned that
the Bush Administration wants to place the responsibility for humanitarian
assistance and reconstruction of Iraq with the Department of Defense. Congress
agrees with RI that the responsibility for humanitarian work should lie
with the State Department and with the civilian aid agencies within it,
the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Bureau of Population,
Refugees, and Migration.
Both House and Senate versions of the
bill that funds the costs of the war direct humanitarian and reconstruction
funding to State rather than to the Pentagon. But the White House has vowed
to try to convince Congressional leaders to place the funding under Pentagon
control in the final version of the bill, as originally proposed by the
Administration.
The humanitarian needs of the Iraqi people are great. Now is the time to ensure that civilian agencies within the government have control over humanitarian activities in Iraq. Making sure that USAID disaster response teams report directly to USAID rather than the Department of Defense is an important first step in ensuring the civilian nature of humanitarian assistance.
RI has faxed a letter (see below) to the Congressional leadership of both parties urging them to maintain the provision that humanitarian and reconstruction assistance be managed and implemented by the State Department. We urge you to join us in insisting on the civilian character of U.S. aid to Iraq. ACT NOW and send an email to the Congressional leadership