http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/index.aspennoreply@blogger.com (HRF)Thu, 03 Jul 2008 07:00:12 -0500Blogger http://www.blogger.com26125http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/05/insubordination-of-bush-administration.htmlNew York TimesIraqi refugee crisisIraq and Afghanistan Veterans of AmericaIraqi translatorsSpecial Immigrant VisasCheckpoint One Foundationnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Fri, 23 May 2008 16:10:26 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-6772981770560489095The New York Times had a great feature on May 14 about Iraqi translators who worked for the US military. It focuses on several of their most passionate advocates – veterans and active duty members who say that they owe their lives to their translators. The article highlights two excellent organizations that we regularly work with, the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a non-partisan http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/04/iraqi-refugee-crisis-in-nyt-op-ed.htmlNew York TimesIraqi refugee crisisInternational Rescue Committeenoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:15:31 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-7340532057277906125The International Rescue Committee has a great op-ed in the New York Times today. The organization sent a high-level delegation to Syria and Jordan in February to meet with Iraqi refugees, leaders in both nations, and U.S. and UN officials in order to assess the crisis firsthand. The op-ed suggests, and we agree strongly, that a comprehensive plan to deal with this long-term crisis must be a parthttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/04/advocacy-in-dc-on-iraqi-refugee-crisis.htmlIraqi refugee crisisRyan CrockerDavid PetraeusIraq Action Daysnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:55:22 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-2868946314466669481The next couple of weeks are important ones for advocacy on behalf of Iraq's 4 million-plus refugees. On Tuesday and Wednesday, Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker will be testifying before Congress on the state of the war in Iraq. The recent violence in Basra, along with the ongoing U.S. presidential campaign, mean that attention will probably be trained on two central questions: the http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/02/un-high-commissioner-guterres-assesses.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Tue, 26 Feb 2008 09:57:43 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-953692279760771874Last week, UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres ended a week-long trip to Syria, Jordan, and Iraq to asses the situation of millions of Iraqi refugees in the region. One of the issues Guterres discussed with the Iraqi government was a proposed joint assessment of conditions required for the voluntary, safe, and sustainable return of refugees. Several days later, the BBC intimated http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/02/un-emergency-appeal-265-million-needed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:28:05 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-3924981872983551426Earlier today the United Nations launched an emergency appeal, on behalf of 14 UN agencies and 10 NGOs, for $265 million to deliver urgent relief to Iraqis. One of the goals of the appeal is to deliver food to internally displaced Iraqis who are having difficulty accessing food rations through the Iraqi government’s public distribution system. Read the UN release here. According to the UN http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/02/february-5-panel-in-nyc-on-iraqi.htmlIraqi refugee crisisLori GrinkerWITNESSNailya Alexandernoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Mon, 04 Feb 2008 12:54:13 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-372189725497659483The polls don’t close till 9 pm tomorrow night, so there’s time for New Yorkers to attend an important panel discussion at Fordham University. Human Rights First is co-sponsoring the panel along with Fordham University and the Nailya Alexander Gallery. It’s entitled “Iraqi Citizens: War and Exile.” The panelists will address topics including the consequences of the Iraq war for Iraqis – more thanhttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/obama-and-clinton-acknowledge-refugee.htmlIraqi refugee crisisClintonObamapresidential debatenoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:05:06 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-1783921343034364335In last night's Democratic debate, the war in Iraq received some considerable attention. Sen. Obama pointed out that he and Sen. Clinton both believe that addressing the humanitarian crisis in the region is a critical component of any future strategy in Iraq. His exact words: Both of us have said we would make sure that our embassies and our civilians are protected. Both of us have said http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/no-mention-of-iraqs-displacement-crisis.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:07:24 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-9138802543664923887Well, the President has just finished his State of the Union address and stepped off the podium. He highlighted recent security improvements in Iraq and the planned draw down of several U.S. army brigades, but did not make any reference or commitment of assistance to Iraqi refugees. President Bush did speak briefly about the crisis in Darfur, noting the importance of "changing conditions that http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/state-of-union-improvements-in-daily.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:08:31 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-37695347864684134The President just cited the work of provincial reconstruction teams in Iraq and their efforts "to make sure improved security was followed by improvements in daily life." I want to quickly draw attention to the dire humanitarian situation of 2.4 million internally displaced Iraqis, as laid out in the International Organization for Migration's 2007 Iraq Displacement Year in Review. Only 22 % http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/state-of-union.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Mon, 28 Jan 2008 20:36:51 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-2746019482096705769The president has yet to mention Iraq, or refugees, in his address tonight, but he has already taken one significant action in relation to Iraqi refugees. Earlier today, President Bush Signs H.R. 4986, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 into law. The Act, now law, contains provisions introduced by Senators Kennedy and Smith which will make it significantly easier for http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/state-of-union-live-blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Mon, 28 Jan 2008 11:28:36 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-1289897095305979989Tonight, President Bush will deliver his final State of the Union address and U.S. strategy in Iraq is sure to be one main focus of the speech. Sincere thanks to the more than 7200 people who took action this weekend and asked the president to acknowledge our obligation to Iraqi refugees, increase resettlement of the most vulnerable, and provide aid to help those Iraqis who remain displaced in http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/unhcr-releases-trauma-study.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Wed, 23 Jan 2008 17:20:18 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-5561303939978575764UNHCR has just released results of a trauma study carried out among Iraqi refugees in Syria. The results speak for themselves. 754 people were interviewed. Every single person interviewed reported experiencing at least one traumatic event before they fled Iraq. UNHCR worked with the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta and used the Harvard Trauma Survey and the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist to http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/nyt-cites-iraqi-refugee-crisis-on-ed.htmlNew York TimesIraqi translatorsnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:23:04 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-8357508661957777178Quick note that on Sunday the New York Times editorial page named the Iraqi refugee crisis as one of several important issues yet to be addressed in discussions of future U.S. actions in Iraq and the region – specifically about when and how a troop withdrawal will take place, and how U.S. relations with Iraq and the region will take shape in the years to come. The Times highlighted the thousands http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/unhcr-asks-for-261-million-to-help.htmlJames FoleyUNHCRnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:33:12 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-5216899792663265295We’re a few days late on this news, but it’s gotten limited media coverage this week – on January 8, the UNHCR announced an appeal to donors for $261 million for Iraqi refugee programs for 2008. The Iraq Situation Supplementary Appeal covers UNHCR operations and health, education, and direct assistance programs for the 2.2 million Iraqi refugees in the region as well as the 2 million IDPs in Iraqhttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/arab-states-league-launches-fundraising.htmlNaseer ShammaLeague of Arab StatesoudUNHCRnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:08:26 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-7018669919509587236Tomorrow, the League of Arab States will launch a major 90-day fundraising and public awareness campaign to help Iraqi refugees in the region. They’re working closely with the UNHCR and other organizations – click here for the UNHCR’s press release – and say they hope to raise consciousness and money to contribute to the massive need. It’s good news because the League, with 22 member states, hashttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/iraqi-refugees-mentioned-in-nh-debate.htmlClintonNew Hampshirenoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:59:33 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-8707396173585651628In Saturday night's debate in New Hampshire, Sen. Clinton acknowledged the crucially important issue that’s largely remained unaddressed in discussions over the war in Iraq – what to do about the thousands of Iraqis who are in danger because they've helped U.S. efforts in their country: We have to figure out what we're going to do with the 100,000-plus American civilians who are there working athttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2008/01/us-admissions-down-for-holidays.htmlIraqi Refugee AdmissionsSean McCormackStatsnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:11:49 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-397248144623127614Yesterday's State Department daily press briefing ended with a quick note on Iraqi refugee admissions - just 245 Iraqis were resettled in the U.S. in the month of December. That brings us to a total of 1,057 for FY 2008. The U.S. has set a goal of 12,000 Iraqi refugee admissions for the fiscal year. Yet the holidays - when many Americans are able to gather with loved ones and celebrate their own http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/12/new-numbers-released-us-resettlement.htmlStatsnoreply@blogger.com (Ruthie Epstein)Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:46:02 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-3063940512454427195Last week, the UNHCR announced that it had met and exceeded its 2007 goal of referring 20,000 Iraqi refugees to resettlement countries – the UN refugee agency had processed 20,472 Iraqi refugees as of December 12. Once the UNHCR makes the referrals, though, the resettlement countries must step up and actually accept these refugees into their own resettlement programs. The U.S. promised to http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/12/back-home-to-baghdad-in-hope-or.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:50:11 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-6817531202320110709About three weeks ago, I chatted with an Iraqi friend who currently lives in Amman, Jordan and formerly worked with the Iraqi government. I wanted to hear his thoughts on Syria effectively closing its border, and in particular why the Iraqi government had met with the Syrians and requested they stop freely admitting refugees. Read “Syria Shuts Main Exit From War for Iraqis” in the NYT. “You know http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/10/iraqi-blogger-in-syria.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia Templeton, Refugee Protection)Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:37:35 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-4926475845135394859One of the most moving, astute, and unique chroniclers of the Iraq war has been an anonymous Iraqi woman who blogs under the name "Baghdad Burning." She has quite a following, and a collection of her posts has been published in the U.S. On April 26th, she announced she was leaving Iraq. I've been following her blog for quite some time so it was almost a physical shock hearing this. She http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/10/arrival.htmlIraqi translatorarrivalresettlementPortlandnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia)Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:28:02 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-6900160406514512777In just about a week, a close Iraqi friend of mine will be arriving in the United States with his wife and two children. This is the same family I stayed with on a recent trip to Jordan. They fled Iraq in January after a terrifying attack on their home, and will be moving in with my parents in Portland, Oregon until they get their feet on the ground. My parents speak with the family on the phonehttp://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/09/fact-check-state-dept-response-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia)Tue, 25 Sep 2007 20:08:31 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-4596134323940173511On September 17, The Washington Post ran an article on this memo that HRF brought to their attention. More than anything else, I have to commend Ambassador Crocker for taking a strong stance on this issue. I have been told by some of the Iraqi employees who work at the embassy in Baghdad that he is the first person to take their concerns seriously. Later in the day, reporters questioned State http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/09/missing.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia)Fri, 07 Sep 2007 06:49:07 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-7133895190207940017On Monday, I traveled to Beirut for a quick assessment of the situation of Iraqi refugees in Lebanon. I met up with Habib, who had gone one day early to see his parents, and we had a wonderful dinner with Stephane Jaquemet, the UN High Comissioner for Refugees Representative for the region, and his wife. On our way to dinner, we skirted along the border of the deserted tent camp Hezbollah and http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/09/resettlement-lottery.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia)Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:34:06 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-3788550920328605824Last week was both busy and tough, and I have fallen behind somewhat in my writing. Habib and I met with more than twenty families. I’m just going to share two of their stories. Wednesday morning we drove to a place in Amman where many Iraqi Christians live. It’s actually a part of the city I love, a narrow quiet street on the edge of a hill with a sweeping view. We met with two Iraqi Christian http://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/refugees/2007/08/first-impressions.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Amelia)Mon, 27 Aug 2007 11:25:35 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8168681809370630099.post-6934067191671560498Our day started in my old neighborhood, Jabbal Amman, near doar talat. Amman is built on a series of hills (jabbal) and neighborhoods often follow the contours of the hills. Eight traffic circles have been constructed along the hill called Jabbal Amman (four of them in the expansion of the city that has taken place since 2003, I believe) and people use the circles to delineate different