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Shortcuts The Ground Truth Project
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National Groups Join with EPIC in Calling for Humanitarian, Economic Surge to Reduce Conflict in IraqLetter Urges Lawmakers to Amend the President's Emergency Spending Bill to Address Critical $440 Million Funding Gap in Iraq-related Relief & Development for FY 2007FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2007 (Washington, D.C.) – In a letter to Congress, the Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) joins with nationally-respected aid agencies, human rights groups and faith-based organizations in urging Congress to support an immediate surge in relief and development aid to Iraq. The list of over 40 national organizations represents a broad range of constituencies and includes groups that opposed the U.S. invasion of Iraq as well as groups that did not. The letter explains: “What brings us together is the shared conviction that the U.S. can and should do more to rebuild and stabilize Iraq through increased U.S. support for civil society, peacebuilding, humanitarian relief, and responsible economic development.” To read the letter and see the list of over 40 signers, click here. The letter was initiated by the Iraq Peace and Development Working Group (IPDWG), a newly-formed NGO working group advocating policy improvements to reduce human suffering and conflict in Iraq. The letter’s recommendations reflect broad consensus among national advocacy groups, faith-based organizations, and operational humanitarian agencies involved in life-saving relief efforts in Iraq and the Gulf region. The groups are asking Congress to halt the decline in aid to Iraq, as recommended by the Iraq Study Group, by adding $440 million to the President’s $99.6 billion supplemental budget request. That would address a critical funding gap of $290 million needed for refugee assistance, resettlement and internally displaced persons. It would also provide an additional $150 million to restore full funding for community-based development, efforts to strengthen Iraqi civil society, conflict resolution strategies, and the advancement of human rights and rule of law. The letter states: “Through effective relief and development, the U.S. can help improve the social welfare and security of the Iraqi people. Moreover, economic progress that creates meaningful jobs and opportunities for the people of Iraq can play a pivotal role in ending the conflict.” Recent polls suggest strong public recognition that America’s military role in Iraq is limited in what it can achieve. A CBS/New York Times poll conducted in late February indicates 70% of Americans polled say that the U.S. military cannot do much to lessen the fighting between groups of Iraqis. Top military commanders in Iraq have expressed similar concern. The letter quotes Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, who recently testified to the Senate that, without a military solution to Iraq, success requires progress in the Iraqi political and economic arenas. The additional funding would represent a small fraction of the supplemental request yet help millions of displaced Iraqis, compensate thousands of families harmed in the conflict, create 100,000s jobs, and support ongoing USAID programs with proven track records. “Despite the violence, aid agencies are finding ways to save lives, create jobs, strengthen civil society, and help Iraqis stabilize and rebuild communities,” explains EPIC Director and 1991 Gulf War veteran Erik Gustafson. “By funding proven strategies of humanitarian relief, peacebuilding, and development, Congress has an opportunity to help bring an end to the war.” Spokespersons available for comment: For the full text of the letter and an up-to-date list of signers, click here. |
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