Briefing: Responding to the Syrian Humanitarian and Refugee Crises

As the Syrian conflict enters its third year, an estimated 9.3 million Syrians are in need of assistance, including 6.5 million internally displaced persons and almost 3 million refugees. Inside Syria, civilians are in desperate need of receiving basic goods and services as cities have been demolished, medical facilities have been destroyed, and humanitarian aid workers have been targeted. Men, women and children have been tortured, imprisoned, shot at and raped. In some parts of the country, civilians are being held hostage in their own cities, leading them to face acute malnutrition and starvation. Those who have fled to neighboring countries live in precarious situations without a clear end in sight.

Panelists will provide information on the current state of the Syrian humanitarian and refugee crises and offer recommendations of steps the United States can take to alleviate some of the ongoing suffering faced by men, women and children inside Syria and amongst Syrians living as refugees in the region.

Speakers:

• Kate Philips Barrasso, Director for Policy and Advocacy, International Rescue Committee
• Ann Willhoite, International Clinical Advisor, The Center for Victims of Torture
• Erol Kekic, Chair of Refugee Council USA and Director of Church World Service/Immigration and Refugee Program
• Dr. Lin Piwowarczyk, President of the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs (NCTTP) and Director of the Boston Center for Refugee Health & Human Rights at Boston Medical Center

The briefing is sponsored by the National Consortium of Torture Treatment Programs, Center for Victims of Torture, International Rescue Committee, and Refugee Council USA.