USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - MEDIA ADVISORY: Refugee Groups Call on Government To Reverse Decline in Refugee Admissions

MEDIA ADVISORY: Refugee Groups Call on Government To Reverse Decline in Refugee Admissions

WHAT: Launch of "Recommendations for Refugee Admissions, FY 2002"
WHERE: Russell Caucus Room, 325 Senate Russell Office Building
WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 am
WHO: Senators Sam Brownback and Edward M. Kennedy
Ralston H. Deffenbaugh, Chair, Refugee Council USA
Resettled Kurdish refugee from Kirkuk, Iraq
Resettled Sudanese youth from Kakuma camp, Kenya

-- The decline in refugee admissions should be halted and reversed, the Refugee Council USA will tell Senators at the Thursday launch of its Recommendations for Refugee Admissions (FY 2002). In addition, the Council will recommend at least $800 million for the Migration and Refugee Assistance Account for FY 2002 to assist refugees overseas, as well as to resettle refugees in the United States.

The world today hosts approximately 14 million refugees, an increase of one million people over the last two years. While repatriation and local integration are the most appropriate options for the vast majority of refugees, resettlement remains an invaluable solution for many other refugees.

The Refugee Council USA is calling on the US government to reassert its leadership on refugee protection and renew the American commitment to providing shelter to those who flee oppression.

The Refugee Council USA, a coalition of U.S. non-governmental organizations, including the U.S. Catholic Conference/Migration and Refugee Services, focuses on refugee protection and providing advocacy on issues related to the protection and rights of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world.

Contact the Refugee Council USA directly for more information:
Tel: 202-541-5402/5404 Email: rcusa2000@aol.com