Marking the Third Annivesary of the Conflict in Syria and the Plight of Syria's Refugees

Floor Speech

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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