March 4, 2009 (Washington, DC) – Writing to President Barack Obama in response to his new Iraq strategy, more than 40 leading U.S.-based organizations praise the President’s promise to help vulnerable Iraqis and call for a comprehensive humanitarian, development and refugee resettlement strategy led by civilian agencies.

The letter’s recommendations reflect broad consensus among aid agencies working inside Iraq, refugee advocates and resettlement agencies assisting and protecting Iraqi refugees in the region and here in the U.S., leading faith-based organizations, and human rights groups.

Here’s a PDF of the letter and list of signers.


While much attention has been given to the military aspects of President Obama’s Iraq strategy, it is his unprecedented humanitarian pledge to Iraqi civilians that has the humanitarian community talking. Last Friday at Camp Lejeune, the President declared:

Diplomacy and assistance is also required to help the millions of displaced Iraqis. These men, women and children are a living consequence of this war and a challenge to stability in the region, and they must become a part of Iraq’s reconciliation and recovery. America has a strategic interest – and a moral responsibility – to act. In the coming months, my administration will provide more assistance and take steps to increase international support for countries already hosting refugees; we’ll cooperate with others to resettle Iraqis facing great personal risk; and we will work with the Iraqi government over time to resettle refugees and displaced Iraqis within Iraq – because there are few more powerful indicators of lasting peace than displaced citizens returning home.

Signers to the letter note that for the first time since the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a U.S. President has publicly acknowledged the humanitarian consequences of the war in Iraq, and outlined America’s strategic and moral imperative to do far more to help millions of vulnerable and displaced Iraqis.

"President Obama's decision to help displaced Iraqis should help stabilize Iraq and the region,” says Ken Bacon, President of Refugees International, one of the signatory organizations. “Millions of Iraqis cannot begin to return home until they can be assured safety and security. This is primarily the responsibility of the government of Iraq, but the U.S. can help. Secretary Clinton should emphasize assistance inside Iraq to create the kinds of social and economic conditions that would make returns viable. In addition, the U.S. should provide assistance to the countries hosting Iraqis while they await the ability to return home."

President Obama promised to welcome Iraqi refugees to America and organizations who resettle refugees stress how increasing resettlement will help protect the most vulnerable. "Resettlement offers lifesaving protection for vulnerable Iraqi refugees who are unable to return home safely," says Bob Carey, Vice President, Resettlement Policy at the International Rescue Committee. "We hope this administration will provide refuge to thousands more Iraqis who are in danger, many of whom risked their lives to help Americans in Iraq, and increase resources to enable them to rebuild their lives in the United States."

In addition to the many Iraqi refugees who were forced to flee into neighboring countries, there are millions of Iraqis inside of Iraq who are in need of assistance to meet their basic needs, especially those who have been displaced within their own country.

"Since beginning operations in Iraq, International Medical Corps has witnessed the resilience of the Iraqi people. Although there has been a significant decline in violence, improved security alone does not necessarily translate into stability and peace. Certain conditions need to be met to sustain these improvements. We hope that the new Administration and the international community remain committed through the longer term process of recovery and rebuilding," says Rabih Torbay, Vice President of International Operations for the International Medical Corps, one of the dozen operational humanitarian organizations on the letter. "It is critical that there is continued access to basic services such as health care, along with job creation, affordable and accessible education, empowerment of youth and women, well-planned resettlement for returning families, and most importantly, an Iraqi government that is responsive to the overall needs of its citizens and has capacity to fulfill its mandate."

Refugees International advocates to end refugee crises. In the last three years, the organization has conducted ten missions to the Middle East to identify the problems facing Iraqi refugees and internally displaced people in Iraq. For additional comment from Ken Bacon at Refugees International, contact Vanessa Parra at 202-540-7025 (office); 202-904-0319 (mobile); Vanessa@refugeesinternational.org

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) one of eight refugee resettlement agencies on the letter. Through its network of 24 resettlement offices across the United States, the IRC resettled the second largest number of refugees in the U.S. in fiscal year 2008, including 15% of the 13,823 Iraqi refugees who came through the refugee resettlement program. In response to wars, natural disasters and displacement, IRC is also on-the-ground in 42 countries worldwide and serves vulnerable Iraqis in Iraq, Jordan and Syria. For additional comment from Bob Carey at the International Rescue Committee, contact Melissa Winkler at 212-551-0972 (office); 646-734-0305 (mobile); Melissa.Winkler@theirc.org

Since its inception 25 years ago, International Medical Corps' mission has been to relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster, and disease, by delivering vital health care services and building local capacity in underserved communities. Since April 2003, International Medical Corps has continuously operated in Iraq by providing assistance that enables self-reliance, builds local capacity, promotes long-term development, and meets immediate humanitarian needs. For additional comment from Rabih Torbay at the International Medical Corps, contact Stephanie Bowen at 310-826-7800 (office); 323-356-1283 (mobile); SBowen@imcworldwide.org

Signatory agencies:

Alliance of Baptists
America’s Development Foundation
Arab American and Chaldean Council
Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict
Catholic Relief Services
The Center for Victims of Torture
Church World Service
Chaldean Federation of America
Chaldean Assyrian Syriac Council of America
Church of the Brethren Witness
CHF International
EPIC: Promoting a Free & Secure Iraq
The Episcopal Church
Ethiopian Community Development Council
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Global Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
International Medical Corps
International Relief and Development
International Rescue Committee
Jubilee Campaign USA
Kurdish Human Rights Watch
Life for Relief and Development
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office
Mercy Corps
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
NETWORK: A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
The North American Dominican Justice Promoters
Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement
Peace Action & Peace Action Education Fund
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
Refugees International
Relief International
Save the Children US
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
Veterans for Common Sense
Women’s Refugee Commission
World Relief
3D Security Initiative

A PDF of the letter and 44 signers can be found online here.
To reach any of the above signatory agencies for comment, contact Erik Gustafson at 202-294-3764 or EGustafson@epic-usa.org.

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