[inaudible conversations] the meeting will come to order. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for attending. Student good morning everyone. This is the sixth anniversary of the civil war in syria. Largest humanitarian crisis on the planet since ruled for tomb. There are really issueslict and regarding conflict then they will supply more of thosea send a few of them we will talk about is the future the food shortage and possible starvation would hatch has occurred there. Recent development where turkey has revoked certain humanitarian ngos to distribute food. Od there education is a big issue for everyone in the world and our generation will be deprived on the education front. Then to thanks for stepping in to cheer about this isrs been going on six long years and many of the cities have been reduced to rubble. Fell then rented wounded. There now destitute twothirds are range are aged it could be 25 of a family in come think aboutth the spending onefourth of your id and tom. Childr but did this tragic as the report comes out to be absent from school is not exist in many parts today. The speech as ben affected and so this is a tragic situation for all purposeal the after four of getty humanitarian efforts to those who were victimized. I have concerns about the trump policies. Dealin let me just mentioned that is going to have the state department. Rian so how to redo that if it is already need . But also have reports the issues terry and budget that is what america stands for. We are the leader globally to pursue a humanitarian the part of what we stand for asas a nation boss so the National Security interest. Can really do that with the budget . For the amount of money and budget talk about party is. Second come i have great concern about his policies with rights to russia in dealing with syria. With those atrocities taking place in syria they targeted civilians, humanitarian convoys through about the u. N. Convoy that was attacked. Russia has participated in war crimes and they need to be held accountable per car will be introducing a act if we could get that done to make it clear to all participating atrocities that they would be held for their activities. So the most recent executive order that over 100 and nationals to say that is harmful to the National Security interest didnt know any interest. Just shar with the members of this committee, and jordan has accepted to under 50,000 for the serious and refugees. He made it clear they should do a security challenge. Value added states has excepted a few. But there has been no example of any security questions. They are screened as they have for anyone coming over a 24 month period and those in this committee know that. Sought like to introduce to put a face these are not numbers these are a people who escaped from persecution to make america their home to help build this great country. As our parents and grandparents came to this country to build a better life. Mohamad to ride the United States november 16 this past year remaining displaced four years before preselling nextel introduced running a a new wholesale businessisplac three years before he was referred to the United States for resettlement. Ma thanks for being here. Also the market in his wife fled with the aim remains the ship for five years as international refugees. Ou are i i am particularly proud from my state of maryland to has embraced diversity. Is inte i will conclude on this remark thank you very much. Look at the countys that are to the strongest in the United States both have embraced diversity for decades as the place to will come democrats. Mr. Chairman to end up the conflict in the National Interest of the and in states. But we do have a panel of experts who help us deal with the crisis of how we can be helpful to deal with those needs. Theyre anxious to see a specific policy. And i am sure that will behc forthcoming and to get some input with the humanitarian w crisis that there would be some overlap on the humanitarian crisis. Certainly over the of last eight years of policy has been drifting and rarely needs focus. If not be will have the same result. That is unexplainable to america up. First of all, we have three winces in the fourth witness to we will hear some special words prior to introduce my friend as part of humanitarian nonprofit with the nikko organization that works to over 40 countries better in conflict or recovering from conflict or natural disaster. So with that, misinformationvatn so they can earn a living to lift themselves out of poverty. So the commitment works some of the most difficult locations on the globe. To assist million is the syrians over the course of the war will largest partners to devastatesf the la helping those affected and they will do all they can to eliminate the suffering of individuals other vulnerable to sudden citizens. Er but before the hearing, your testimony. Of fifth entitlement chief executive officer of the rescue committee. So i will recognize all five of you to make statements. We are short on time please keep your remarks to more than five minutes but your full report submitted in writing will be included in the record. E so with that i willhe recognize the doctors and i will let you decide who will the first will go first. Good morning thinking is foreign the opportunity to appear before you today. I am here today natalie as a doctor but a wife and mother and wife in the opposition we risk our lives everyday i was a victim of Chemical Attacks and finally force in place of. In the months leading up my 18 and i have treated many women with severe injuries. It took three doctors to stabilize the patients. Many women died due to lack the of the ambulance. Ho they have bled to death in their homes along withal their children. The surgical staff had to leave we had to get the debris away from the patients. We consider life. But partially be destroyed by air strikes we tried to go underground and then i moved into a still targeted by strikes. As the mother had to lie explain this to end a yearold who knows nothing about violence . It is our duty as human beings to educate both bodies on the ground to allow access and to [inaudible] return to continue our work at the hospital. It is our duty as doctors to treat any and all patients regardless of their affiliation. We have a lot to try to save as many as possible even if that means our own. To save one life if you want to do anything, do it now. There is no time to wait. You are next. Members of the community, i am an ophthalmologist and a one of three hospitals in the society supported eastern aleppo. This was constructed to protect the patient and staff from airstrikes. They are arriving at our facility. We did our best to save as many as we could but we were forced to make very difficult decisio decisions. There is the limited resources that we are available to us and we had to face the unimaginable task of deciding who to save and who could leave tonight. Can you imagine making these decisions if it were over the city we asked for help from the International Community many times and communicated with you and agencies and risk our safety in the back of our families by appearing on International Media and we did everything we could. Athe mandates hold perpetrators accountable. They have a plan for medical evacuation. We are moving with many parties including russia. However, as they begin to take more territory that the cooperation appeared and the evacuation of here in the estate tax on the facilities and markets. Last year we were trying to care for victims and the hospital was groucked by exploding bombs. We close the door and cover our faces and we then held the main door and encountered the men that were suffocating from the gas. We brought the medicine we had available and we were able to save their lives but others thau were outside died from the gas. Many hospital staff had to leave. For their lives. Everyone was afraid that it would strike again. Another most of the victims were pital and most of the victims were children. The medical staff worked tirelessly to pass the mask from one child to another so they wouldnt suffocate. These occurred after the attempt by the regime and its allies. They resorted to Chemical Attacks and im asking you today to hold them accountable. It must be made clear that it is unacceptable and International Humanitarian law must be strictly enforced. This cant be the new norm. Naude iexplore the delivery of medical supplies. In the past six months its extended to complete a movement for all materials. If the world does nothing, there were more than 50 patients in need of kidney dialysis medication. After the medication ran out we pleaded with the un and other International Actors to deliver the lifesaving medication but it wasnt until after three patients died at the medication was delivered and even then it wasnt a un convoy that entered the area. In three weeks the medication will run out and the Patient Trust will be at risk. Constant violation with the use of chemical weapons against civilians in manipulation of humanitarian aid and the displacement is not a claim. I myself was a victim of every one of these acts and im here today to ask the americanhe government for help. Do not let these acts continue. Do not let more civilians suffer him to do not forget the human toll of the war and the destruction of the healthcareug system. An entire generation has been lost. Now its your chanc is your chap protect and save the millions that are still caught in the middle of this conflict. Enforce international law, hold perpetrators of crime accountable and make the protection a priority. I ask you to be a voice for us. Do not fail us again. Again. Thank you. I was the director of the hospital in aleppo in the city. Established by the american society. [inaudible] for the patients and medicalmed workers until it ran out of the service on october 14, 2016. The [inaudible] in october, 2016 the hospital was targeted and moving from the surface. I am myself was in one of therai tasks [inaudible] remains in my body to this day. Do you remember the young boy and other children in aleppo [inaudible] sadly, his brother died. Most patients were children in this suffering the the people simply want to be free. It wasnt until the conflict that we start to see this. We moved from one hospital to another and we were faced with we were going to die. We were scared of what would happen to us. They were looting houses and killing anyone who [inaudible] we made our way north. Ou we would have been arrested if we entered a government controlled area. This kind of displacement cannot be allowed to continue. I loved aleppo, it is my home and it is a part of me. I dream of one day returning to my home with my family. [inaudible] we must allow people to remain in their homes and not be forced to relocate. When you rely on freedom, you must help others to be free. The United States government must ba voice for the innocentt people. Thank you. Thank you, doctor. Chairman, Ranking Member cardin, senators, i almost feel like i should just stop right now after this human face and the courage of our friends and i just want to thank the doctors for their courageous work in upholding the humanity. Their cor you have touched us all. Thank you. I also want to say what a privilege it is to be a with my friend, david miller band and his organization. D his gr we work closely together and proudly around the world. And also, i have to thank my friend, jeff merkley for percival his incredible friendship and for hiship and incredible support to the state and country. Untry. And finally tim came for all hes done on behalf of mercy corps and of course for his friendship as well. While the politics on the ground have changed, the one thing that remains constant is the suffering of the syrian people. And at this point, i want to thank the u. S. Government, usaid, the state department fore years of leadership in supporting the people. We need to recognize the u. S. Has been the largest supporter and a leader in upholding whatever aid there can be over these years. Now if i may, the chairman referred to it and i want toed begin with the situation where recent events have diminished our ability to alleate the suffering inside of serious. We conducted one of the largest humanitarian operations from turkey with the permission of full cooperation of the turkish government over the past five years. As you all may know just a fewo weeks ago the turkish government revoked the registration to operate in turkey or deliver crossborder assistance. Gistrati that is disrupting lifesaving assistance for 360,000 that weve reached a threemonth and has effectively in its support 100,000 people in turkey and thn turkish citizens. Today our situation remains unresolved. We continue to seek a dialogue with the officials so we may resume our operation soon as rem possible. We stand ready to correct any technical mistakes we might have made. Meanwhile, we have had no choice but to shut down our presence in turkey while working closely with our partners including u. S. Aid and the state department to fill any gaps in our assistance. Now we all know turkey has been a generous Global Leader in the humanitarian action and welcomed more than 3 million refugees and boosted one of the worlds most important policies on refugees allowing them to earn a living for their families and earning them a path to citizenship. Like the United States turkey iy entering the humanitarian law requiring protection of innocent civilians caught in the confli conflict. As an independent and impartial humanitarian organization, the mandate is to deliver essential aid to civilians in need on all sides of the conflict. And i can tell you that we are very proud of our principled trinitarian effort in the series and account of the world today. Of course we all know the only solution to the suffering of the series ends is a political resolution. Humanitarian aid to say of us lives and sustains hope. T only peace save societies and nations. Strong smart u. S. Engagement remains a critical component. Distinguished senators, i know this issue is tough, but please remain resolute in your pushing or a durable peace. Meanwhile, the scale of suffering is staggering, the dark statistics defy descripti description. Imagine the combined populations of oregon and tennessee in needc of humanitarian and that is serious today. At a recent conference on supporting the cbns, a Young Official dutieshearing and thay for the same waiting for the war to stop so i can go back and rebuild. I believe that we can rebuild better than before. I feel like i have a lot of power and i can bring my skills. I can now speak out and need. I want the same for others as well. Lets remember the human face of the people involved and lets never lose hope regardless of how complex or how dark seemtimes things may seem. Thank you. Chair man and senators it is an honor to be back in front of the committee sitting alongside some extraordinary humanitarian leaders i want to echo what the others said about the humbling work that is done. Ea we are proud to work alongside of them and i would also echo the mutual admirations we are creating for each other and we are proud to stand alongside to admire. I wont take long in my opening statement. You have the ten page version in your papers and i know there will be many questions. I need to apologize given the later start time i have to leave at about 1 00 and i do apologize for that. The International Committee as a Resettlement Agency in the cities and we are an International Humanitarian aid agent b. With over a thousand staff operating inside today and 2,000 in the neighboring states. In the south we are proud to be the largest supplier of healthcare but our efforts are impeded by the uptick in fighting and by air strikes on the medical facilities we lost eight of the hospitals in 2016 capitalizing on the chaos in the south ansouth and in the northeh in iraq seeing some of the work last week. We support them fleeing violence and entering as refugee is and those displaced by the operations. The un estimates 400,000 more could be affected as it intensifies in the next few months and if the province in the northwest of the country i would provide emergencyst of th assistance to those forced from the eastern aleppo and i have to report fighting among the opposition groups and attacks on the regime and russian supporters are threatening the ability to serve them. I wont repeat all the statistics youve heard or know but i do want to point to one that is a shock to me. They had the operations reporte. Less than 1 of those have been reached by humanitarian obligation not because of inefficiency that because of the blockage by the regime and in some cases opposition forces. Gid also the 5 million have fled to turkey and iraq. The priorities are clear. We pointed out in the state and does about politics and diplomacy because in the recent diplomatic efforts russia,a, turkey and iran have put themselves center stage there isnt just a War Without End up with a without flaw and an american voice is needed. If the u. S. Doesnt provide this place, no one will. We understand major cuts were major proposals will bee announced tomorrow and this will be a translation to excruciating choices. It would also set back the strategic leadership and i hope that you will allow me to say we are now running an ngo and i know the leadership is second to none bilaterally and through the United Nations the u. S. Provides 40 of support for the commission and drives the global system and the state department have led the humanitarian response and protect the american ideals and interests for less than 1 of the budget and national income. Its estimated some 6. 9 million in 2015 were helped by the United States and that should be a benchmark for the future andd it would be a genuine tragedy to lose faith just as it is proving its worth. Finally a third choice Via Executive order suspending the Settlement Program and reducing the resettlement numbers in a message to the allies in the region including the iraqis who worked with and risked their lives. The uncertainty about the future and for those that argue the United States will not help those in need that isnt trueeeo but its put in day by dayo around the region. I spoke with people affected by the executive order and these are the most Vulnerable People in the world. There already is extreme bedding for those that want to get here. The review that is being done is perfectly within their rights of the administration. Whats wrong is to suspend jim hubble yet to people going to the back. I would urge the committee if there is to be a reviewer doesnt need to take a 20 or 30 day review to allow the program to continue. Just remember after 9 11 for no reason at all there i is now a fourmonth pause in the program despite the Security System but said the program down. There can be no effective policy and i hope that as a message the committee can take up with prid and gusto. O. We are now going to proceed to a round of five minutes of questions and answers and i will reserve my time to interject into recognized the senator. I want to thank you for your testimony and join my two friends paying a special tribute to the doctors that are here today. You are inspirational to all of us. I grew up in a generation where television i saw the doctors perform during the korean war and marveled at how they performed a combat situation. They were soldiers. Youre not soldiers and you are performing with great personal sacrifice to your own safety to save lives in your community. Under conditions you shouldntco have to put up with. So, i just want to express our deep appreciation for your International Humanitarian efforts which inspire us and i think the community to do more. What we do isnt a personal sacrifice to our lives, so i just wanted to thank you for i ing here. It is valuable to the effort and i want to assure you im going to do everything in my power to make sure those that have committed these atrocities and bombed and targeted hospitals attacking humanitarian convoys to stop you from getting the to scines you need to keep children alive. Every one of those individuals that commit these crimes from the regime to the russian involvement are held accountable for their activities and of course the number one thing we need to do is end this war andtt the dissent todays hearing i agree with th the chairman that isnt what we are here for today but to stop these atrocities into this crisis is to resolve re deal with those that are inin the country and returned stability by the government that represents all of the communities. Thank you for your leadership. We had a chance to talk about these issues and i couldnt agree more about the impact of the executive order to quote from your testimony of those that are affected and those that served the troops they are unaccompanied children, survivors of rape and violencely and those in need of urgentt medical care there are those under persecution for their political or religious beliefs. A twomonth delay is too long as you said there is no need for this fourmonth period and we hope it is shorter than that. I want to talk about your impact in the region we have turkey, jordan, lebanon that has literally millions that border. If they decide they are not taking refugees maybe we should send them back, what impact would that have on the need thak exists . The truth is the numbers and the small countries are staggering and others 1. 5 billion refugees into the government says its a bigger country, 2. 7 million refugees. I think theres three things clearly in your mind. First the conditions on the ground are getting tougher by the week. They are having to reregister and the kids are becoming more desperate. The second situation is a backlash against the allies likt jordan. The Unemployment Rate is 26 . So there is a difficulty in the short term compounded with jordan. Nm we are working on an employment programs to help the company take advantage of the free trade access but that requires 15 to work with them to help square that. The third consequence that i think relates the first two is that many refugees give up the hope and are going to take their lives into their own hands. The refugee crisis isnt over and the factors that are driving people from the neighboring states to get to europe remained strong in deed. After the danger that there is a domino affect they spend the largest resettlement country, ic goes through the european states and back and leads to a series of actions that means the global ramifications become real and the instability is the result. I hope today we will hear ways we can help deliver humanitarian aid effectively to those involved. What was done needs toe w reversed and im sure that we will try to assist you and we will be one working with others on the committee to see how we can engage the government to resolve the issues so you can get back to the people. Op i want you to know that we will be in communication with the government. I also want to thank the doctors for the testimony and courage into spending time with me in my office yesterday. You said that politics have changed. I want to ask you what the involvement in russia youve been witnessing Chemical Attacks and youve been present. Can you talk about the changing weapons the minute rush i got involved tax after russia was involved in the conflict, we noticed a new Development Like the undergrounn structures and we noticed the progressive view that lasted three months and also we had the photographs by our own phones. Was there more frequent targeting when rush i became involved . They are locating the Hospital Physician and started targeting it many times. We had to leave the hospital fearing our safety. You also said you talked about two attacks but also setl. Up regular use. Any other chemicals you are aware of that have been documented . Just this. Do you have any idea how mani attacks there were . The it wasnt known to thethe government so in the last month they discovered this so they started targeting it with manyy weapons until they used to chemical chlorine gas but they target every other one. You said that the world has failed. I couldnt agree more. You said that politics have changed. Described that. Its good to say we are going to hold people accountable that describe the reality on the ground right now and what has changed. I dont often find myself commenting on the politics of a situation but i will say what has changed we all know as an organization that had a significant commitment to the city, we had team members who were in aleppo and actually were on the last evacuation bus out and we are very proud of them. They were given the opportunity to leave like many of thepo doctors earlier on and they chose to stay out of solidarity but obviously the situation has changed and in the north now its very vulnerable. Many of the citizens are there and you have the government ofr turkey then obviously the concern of what has happened in the southern part of the country i think we should all be aware of and its very difficult. There have been efforts that have supplied some areas along the jordanian border weve seen an increase. What has remained the same and i think is critically important is the staggering need of innocents here he ends. And if i may in particular comment on all lives are important but at the same time we are particularly concerned about nearly 4. 8 millionre refugees in the region arereaboo children and theres more than 8. 5 million children and young people in need of immediate support. Nevermind education. I appreciate that but the point being wasted by the world for six years and watched the slaughter of half a million at least and i am all for Diplomatic Solutions but the facts on the ground are such that russia, iran conquered and, are winning the war is not perfect . Isnt that the politics that have changed and what kind of a diplomatic solution can there bc when the facts have changed so dramatically on the ground . Im not so sure i would go as far as you did in thatthat situation. Ive spent more than 30 years working in and around the middle east and im cautious to draw any conclusions that relate to the middle east but what i will say is that we are no closer to a political solution i think you are right on that and in many ways the situation is more complicated than ever and one thing i am sure of is those that suffered thsuffer the most are t civilians and especially the children. Thank you, senator and doctors for your incredible testimony and bravery and for what you continue to do to risk your lives in the service of humanity. It is hard to hear your testimony and two end were the images and th stories of the unspeakable suffering and unthinkable Human Rights Violations that continue week in and week out and month after month the hundreds of thousands have been killed in a way that cries out for the world to respond should shock the conscience of every senator here and everyone who listens. Thank you. Delaware just welcomed its first family in a small but important acts i think it christian church, a muslim mosque in the Jewish Family Services in partnership welcomed a refugee family that had fled an area close to where youre from because of a chemical attackckyf years ago. A the United States has done a great deal but nowhere near enough. My first visit to confront some of the realities with swift senator mccain an and a number f other colleagues to a wellknown camp in jordan where we had a memorable meetings with those who said we dont want sympathy or tears or blankets, we want action and accountability in the engagement. Its encouraging to be reminded that American Humanitarian assistance did help 7 million last year but its heartbreaking to realize that a likely dramatic cuts in the humanitarian estes to the assistanccoassistance that may d tomorrow may signif method simpy affects hundreds of thousands if not millions in the wholerians a paon. And im concerned a travel ban sends the wrong signals about our willingness to welcome andto tracing support the work that you have done. Thank you for the brave and dedication as powerful without representing the importance of supporting mercy corps. What would be the consequence of having been abandoned and humanitarian obligations. One is a significant producer to Food Security working with the government across the border on the program. At the end of last week when they are driven out humanitarian for the first to go after the organizations represented here supported by doing that and the work is beginning to put together the elements to allow people basic services they can go back to and third it isy, distinguished in its ability to target the most vulnerable to. We are proud to be partnering with big u. S. Protecting women and girls from the unspeakable abuse their associated with humanitarian situations. A 2 is spent on education that speaks to the shortterm and its embraced by the host countries. The short term neglect like education that the u. S. Is willing to support in the last week i was able to see some kids that are being traumatized. 15 of the last sent a lettera letter detailing the atrocities of the sport we heard testified today and ask for action and accountability. I want to ask for reintroducing the accountability act we are joining on accountability. Thank you to our doctors. He i agree we do indeed have a fundamental choice to make on this authorizing committee about the assistance of those that are on the receiving end of the International Human rightsof violation and i would like to show a few things that are powerful. He indicated the introduction of shirt an in a new phase of the conflict on the civilian infrastructure in airstrikes. Despite the Un Security Council resolution condemning the attacks for the humanitarian operations and then the doctors. You noted a hospital was the most dangerous place in aleppo. You highlighted the repeated attempts by the allies to destroy the hospital where you worked using cluster munitions. You noted in the hospital where a user is the director the hospital was bombed out of service on account of 22nt of airstrikes. Five times in one week you were hit. I cant imagine operating under these conditions or being in one of these hospitals. I cant imagine living in an area of the world you are annstantly under this sort of drama attack. Theres plenty of blame to go around but certainly the russian intervention complicated mattern significantly. As you noted that the Council Adopted 2286. Given that permanent seat on the council and the resolutions aimed at the regime no matter how egregious and portable the actions have been. I went back and looks at the loe comments of the representatives during the passage of the Security Council resolution. You know what the permanent representatives emphasized in his comments . His co its really breathtaking what he says. He says it was unacceptable that the personnel continue to suffer attacks since peoples lives depended on the work. Protecting the personnel is one of the most important aspects of the whole issue of protecting civilian. He further said members must do more work to protect the personnel and this is coming from the representative. Also trying to cast doubt precaution to conduct by emphasizing the need to be guided by a reliable information. He said, quote, it isguided unacceptable unverified reports against hospitals taken from unreliable sources are fed to the media and been used forrunac political pressure. Do you have any thoughts about the russian representatives conference comment and the antacks against hospitals asas unreliable . They are more interested in the last month after they made this stage in russia was very involved in the process of attacking the more civilian areas, so russia started to make a big effort and to let us move from that area to another until we had to evacuate the city. It is a tragedy that we arear holding the hearing today to mark the beginning of what was peaceful uprising that has turned into the worst humanitarian crisis in recent memory and weve all seen the heartbreaking images of children and families suffering under the barbaric attacks with the network of factors including the two Biggest Networks who continue to support the ongoingo crimes and Human Rights Violations. It is reprehensible that the leader of any country could orchestrate a bombing campaigns against innocent civilians and institutions and hospitals, schools and convoys whose purpose is to provide support to the communitys way of the most respected all of you and the work you are doing particularly the doctors that honored profession globally and in the darkest moments as we have seen you have shown us what humanity truly is all about. N syri and so the fact you have to wear masks to identify george protect your identity speaks to the challenges you face but i have to be honest i am concerned in the midst of listening to aln the comment of comfort and solidarity of the reality isis thate nothing if we are going to have a 37 cut in the budget, nothing if we are going to deny refugees to come into the United States and nothing if we are not going to continue the leadership in the world in this regard soso all the statements will mean something to me and to those that are fleeing. When we act in ways that actually embrace the cause and show the solidarity in meaningful ways so this is why i have a real concern our humanitarian programs offered ae out of the state Department List mostly the bureau of refugees and migration and a host of programs through usaid. I am alarmed by the budget plan that accounts for just 1 of the overall budget and i think it is not only morally reprehensible, but these kind of cuts or against the National Security interests of the United States and advocates or Global Leadership and that their allie a greater risk. We want to say to europe and elsewhere when the king ofl jordan comes here thank you for housing the refugees and yet we are going to cut the very assistance that gives that as a possibility. I hope that my colleagues when it comes time to use the solidarity will do so with their votes. W i want to go to particularly mr. Miller band. I know what your organization does and i thought the title was pretty significant that the honorable as the head of a title so on a serious note [inaudible] [laughter] new jersey has welcomed 275 refugees in the past 12 monthswe and theyve enacted a network in new jersey that in iq has enriched the state. But what happens when we take a different course . I know that you head and organization and of course your own distinguished career in great britain, but as one of the greatest ally of the United States has had, what would you say is the consequence of us cutting in half the number of refugees to come to the United States, what is the consequence of decimating the budget that ultimately helps and why would it not be in the National Interest of the United States and its security to do so . I think the answer to that is america helps create a more stable world and the retreat leads to more instability. Its not just me moral valuess but also to her and just see both in respect to pouring aid into the resettlement of this country has a good claim to be a world leader and maybe it takes a moment to recognize the good things about the countries and where america undoubtedly claimed it is the most Successful Program in the world and we are working in germany and elsewhere where they want to learn the lessons of the reSettlement Program so i think that there is a front but also the strategic leadership you offered this global system that we have is upheld by the leadership and when that is in retreat as the global stability threatened. Thank you for all the work you do and for being a part of this. I want to touch on the narrative since youve seen the reality of was hopefully you can lie to us about the reality and the comment you see i dont know where theyre getting their needs from the following is our mother was a city divided by the kind of rebels and areas in the government intgovernment into te benevolent forces combined with the regime that went in and liberated. I dont think anyone here is a fan of the elements. They liberated this part of the city and rescued us of the bands and use office in late december, churches opening and people knowing where i stand and russia and how i feel and i see a lot of emails telling me that he saw Little Things of these liberated areas. In the context i that context im the rebel forces who are criminals themselves is the suffering of the people that have nothing to do with either side they just happen to be going about their lives not involved in the internal politics of any nation including their own and somehow we are targeted. Tell us the reality that somehow theyve come in and no are helping reconstruct part of theo city how would you characterize how this was conducted by. Theyve decided that the buildings are destroyed completely and damaged. After they fled there is no electricity or clean water until now and most of the rebel soldiers or civilian like us and had to raise their weapons because the government startedye killing everyone so they wereey not soldiers from the beginning the revolution and of the baby out with the civilia like brothers and they are afraid of their livefortheir lives and los before them. They dont involve by targeting a sore you may have eluded to this earlier that two of you are concerned about being identified for your own safety who ar argue fearful of . From the government because if they discover our identity or they may send someone to get rid of us or they can capture our relatives in their area of. Were these facilities being used by anyone to conduct . It is just for helping civilians. Sometimes injured soldiers came to us but we dont know who theo belong to a, that a group or that group. Do that they were trading people with medical conditions an thatu have no doubt inha your mind thy were specifically targeted. Many went on to the government and repeated it. Lets just get to the heart of this, president trum president s to cut the budget by 37 and then move the money over to the Defense Department in order to build more bombs so thats going to create a dynamic that is dangerous inside the country. Right now russia, turkey and iran are gathered to shore up the ceasefire in the talks that are scheduled to resume this week that the United States doesnt appear to be prepared to have a significant role in the discussions even though the United States has been a part of this law from the beginning so how long can america remain absent from the conversations if we are going to be good to reinforce the ceasefire, protect civilians, allow medical and other relief to go to victims . Doctor. Activity still taking place. I thin i think its something senator rubio started and the accountability bill and it could powerfully be linked to the resolution of the General Assembly for bringing together the material to hold accountable those who commit more crimes and while its true the General Assembly is not deadlocked with a majority to support this kind of initiative. Child soldiers, its not just isis but its also the syrian army that is conscript in children. What do you recommend we use our influence to try to ensure is the policy . Thank you, senator. With respect to child soldiers anywhere. Whether it is in the middle east or other parts of the world we have to have a firm policy that is unacceptable. Theyve devolved into a situation now where any fairminded person looking at it is going to say it is hard to sort out who are the good guys and the bad guys. It isnt Crystal Clear who the good guys are. The stability in the middle east is critically important for every interest this country has in that part of the world and its critically important in the National Security and as the doctors reminded us frankly there isnt a military solution. We know the only solution is one that is diplomatic Going Forward and i certainly would urge him to believe that we end up with a better solution. Whether its important for the ceasefire or that it be the constitution of child soldiers all the way down the line each side begins to engage in activities that are atrocities by any definition and so, thats why the United States cant abandon the diplomatic pathway. Can you talk a little bit about the programs we can put in place a. Its the Community Norms and structures that exist and to the degree that we can support a there are credible civilian local councils that are not involved in the politics and are not involved in the fighting and believe one day they will have an opportunity to build a better syria. Its in the context menu support organizations like ourselves who work for the local groups. Thats the best way to ensure the protection and we need to be talking to the russians to get this resolved. I think one needs to talk to anyone to get this resolved. The progress depends on what you say to them. If you dont have the discussion that is just repetition, you agree with that . Russia and iran are not natural allies and we shouldnt take it as a matter of definite course that they are in an alliance that is unbreakable but there are signs that they are sending different messages into the system. And in your interest they do it together. I would like some indication of where that goes from here. I think that you are going to see more and more people leaving. We have those displaced already. We havent seen the rest and frankly the bombardments will take people out. The second point is to pick up something said that they were not National Allies remember turkey is a member of nato and a part of the conflict depends on the relations between turkey, russia and the u. S. In respect to the situation and so it is correct to the 400,000 people could be displaced by the attempt then the way in which they engage is critical. Theyve not had a chance to contribute positively to their societies and in particular, in that part of the world when there are competing ideologies some of them as sinister as they come should not be allowed to continue to exist in a civilized world if they become pathways increasingly for young people out of the made so the longer this goes on and the mor the moe instability continues and the more we need to worry about those kind of issues and thats why it is so important to bring this to a close as soon as we can. Other organizations and countries have been helpful in the humanitarian effort. Any idea what russia has done with regards to humanitarian efforts . Thats not their focus. But is there even an attempt to make it look like they are concerned about the humanitarian situation in . I did raise this with the now famous russian ambassador, and at the russians talk about their support from the system and that is the way they would see their data Going Forward. It is triggered by the fury and secret police and six years which now sees half a Million People who are dead and a quarter of the 21 Million People in the country have flooded destabilizing neighboring countries and certainly having a big impact on europe. The un secretarygeneral when he was the high commissioner of refugees characterized the war as the great tragedy of the century and a disgraceful calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history. Our witnesses today, the doctors and mercy corps have been there and hes terrific circumstances trying to assist with medical care and nutrition and support and i commend them all for this tremendous effort individually and with the organizations. I am disappointed that turkey has revoked the registration to provide assistance through turkey to over 300,000 syrians. I do appreciate that theyve been a leader in the refugee response and a close partner over many years before. What are the immediate steps sts that would be helpful but you might like to see taken by the government of turkey . Thank you for your efforts in this matter. When the revocation came, we were frankly stunned into deeply saddened and i say saddam because of the hundreds of thousands that we help each month in sight of the country that have been such a critical lifeline of support and hope and second, particularly for the team members whove put their lives on the line through all of these years in the toughest times and the darkest days to make a difference and we have always enjoyed a close working relationship with turkey so our approach right now, we presume and have not been given in the official reason that we presume there is some technicality and that our aim is to enter into discussions and negotiations that will allow us to restore our ability to operate. The governors have been extremely supportive of our work and the local authorities have been supportive, but Turkish Red Crescent has been supportive and so we think the senators for all the support and at this stage we are working night and day to ensure we can get back to work as soon as possible. Has the state department been helpful in facilitating a conversation . The state department and ambassador has been extremely helpful. I want to commend them for their efforts particularly in these difficult times. So at this moment with the supply chain of significant assistance over 300,000, can you paint for us a picture of the challenges being faced by those that would otherwise have been assisted by the flyover and water and assistance that you all provided . A large substantial portion of the aid going across the border was the wheat flour that went to bakeries. We were trying to use the markets to keep the price of bread affordable for ordinary citizens and through the bakeries, Vulnerable People got vouchers so they could pay a small amount for the bread so that was a critical lifeline. In addition to that, we have been providing a number of internally displaced camps along the turkey and syrian border. Weve been providing clean and fresh water for the camps to more than 100,000 people on a weekly basis. So, immediately, those abilities have been cut off. In addition, because we see the recently ends and the desire to help themselves even at this time. Weve been supporting the recovery of Agricultural Land so they could get back to growing their own food and not be as good on the outside. Again wherever you can restore the market it is so important for people and for any chance of recovery. All of those programs are at risk. Thank you. Senator cain. I want to thank some colleagues, murphy, rubio and became joined me today to enter a resolution commemorating the challenges of the last six years and encouraging all of us to do more. I want to thank the organizations here come the mercy corps and sams does wonderful work. You have been praised as individuals but i also know this organization and ive met with the physicianphysicians and thes that have a Strong Organization thank you for what you are doing. A comment and then maybe a question or two. In november, 2015, the house of representatives passed a bill called securing america against foreign enemies act and that walked refugees from coming into the United States. This is a body that wont have a vote to declare isis as an enemy but it would label series and refugees. I was proud of my Senate Coffee is when the bill came over we wouldnt have anything to do with it because refugees are not the enemies of the United States and i am extremely discouraged that they perpetrated the same thing. It issued the orders in january with the title executive order protecting the nation from tigger was some. That was the title. The revised immigration workers are not much better because they hate them by a temporary suspension of the Refugee Program and by a temporary suspension of this year he ends being able to come to the United States and by the dramatic reduction of the number the United States would take. Refugees are not enemies. When the administration issued the initial executive orders, i was in roanoke virginia are from International Airports and far from worrying about this issue doing events about the Affordable Care act. I had somebody come up to me at a recession and said my family y helped a syrian refugee family resettle working with Catholic Charities a year ago. Let me tell you how great they are doing. The husband is working on a construction crew and Everybody Loves him. They are all of different political persuasions to buy soccer shoes for the kids at christmas and you cant say anything bad about this guy, the family has been a credit to the community. But they were asking me we have a second family of arriving at the airport in four days. Theyve been at a camp in jordan for four years getting vetted and finally approved into the United States. Whats going to happen to them and they havent been able to come to the United States. The notion that this administration is perpetrating that refugees are enemies is just absolutely contrary to the values of this country. I second the comments made that the slashing of the foreign aid budget would be a horrible thing but even if the budget doesnt get splashed by a penny, perpetrating a stereotype about refugees or enemies is deeply troubling to me. The Un Security Council in february of 2014 past the resolution calling for crossborder delivery of safety for people receiving aid and safety of medical facilities. I think the enforcement and implementation has been a disaster based on the testimony that has been given. What does it say about the un and about the Security Council, what does that say about the nations that are members of the Security Council that the resolution that called out clearly for the pizza delivery and protection of medical facilities has been so poorly enforced since it passed. If i might, mr. Chairman, there are two things to say about that first you made a distinction between the un and Security Council and is often confusion between the ages is and the countries that stand up. I know from my own experience the truth about the resolutions is the divided Security Council has weakened the hand of all of those trying to implement the resolution. Second point i dont know what is worse, the fact that the 2014 resolution hasnt been abided by or on the 28t 20th of february s year it was vetoed. I think its important to see the two of them together. It points to the fundamental challenge that now exists because weve never been in this situation befor before with a permanent member was unwilling to uphold the fundamental aspects of the humanitarian law. Senator, if i may just add quickly, i think youointed out that even the best of the operational agencies often reflect the politics of the Security Council and discourages them sometimes from taking the kind of bold action that they should be taking. We have encouraged them along with authors from the day of the resolution t did not test it and push for crossborder humanitarian assistance. Unfortunately, that didnt happen. I think that just reinforces why and how important it is the importance of organizations to reach people in need in some of the toughest places in the world but particularly those environments that are plagued by these kind of politics we are often the only lifeline. I have one more question but if you would like to each ask questions before i do. Do you have any further questions . The u. S. Is currently engaged in a Major Military action and theres been a production that might lead to another 400,000 refugees. I dont want to ask about the military side of it, but what would be your prediction about if this military operation is successful walk down the road with us and tell us what we might see in terms of the humanitarian challenge and what that might mean in terms of opening up space for the greater or the lesser resolution in some of the talks about finding a ceasefire in the next chapter. Very quickly, i dont know any of us who dont hope deeply that groups like isis have no place to operate anywhere. They are not in the interest of anyone, certainly of innocent syrians and so i think one would welcome through that kind of action that it could come back as a normal city. In terms of the humanitarian impact, it is going to depend obviously on how the military action unfolds. There were great predictions that goes with produce a humanitarian disaster and it still might. It has ends up until now i think we all appreciated some of the great care that has them taken and the concern. Some of the harshest predictions didnt come true and i think we all hoped that. If there is effective coordination on the ground and if there is upholding the humanitarian principles and if there is respect for the actors like ourselves i think actually we could move in very quickly to restore the services and meet the critical humanitarian needs. Theyve got relatives that are in hiding previously worked for the government and will be a massive degree secondly i dont see it being a quick win at all. We know from history and we can see in our state the positions in the definition of military operations is key to the way in which it has been one. That is obviously a dangerous down payment. They all come together so the final point on the political options the greatest danger is they get worse rather than better and become increasingly extreme opposition groups that the chairman has referred to that has claimed victory and that is a recipe. I want to thank the panel. I would point out that we have a government we can work with and communicate with flair there is a much greater risk. I would also point out that clearly we need to deal with the responsibility and accountability to the regime to the involvement of the terrorist groups that are operating. All of that is continuing to add to the humanitarian crisis, so we need to engage the community more effectively in dealing with this. But it starts with taking care of business at home. Many of my colleagues have talked about this. But our program is not only directly important for the refugees but it is a signal to the International Community to the leadership and its very much it will affect policieitll affr countries as you mentioned when europe decides to do with the countries decide to do. We also in congress have a responsibility here are the ones who pass the budget. President donald trump canceled as onthat one but he passed thee budget and have the responsibility to speak out about the importance of our assistance and i hope he will do the right thing. We also need to deal with the preventions as we mentioned that the bipartisan that we work on to try to get it done. Senator rubio has been instrumental but also we do that type of policies and priorities. We know that displaced families are at risk and that its difficult to get humanitarian aid to those that are at risk and we all need to do a better job. I want to thank the doctors in particular for being here and all the witnesses for providing helpful information as to what we need to do to help not only the theory and humanitarian needs of the whole region that is involved. I think the Ranking Member and all the members that came today including and especially the doctors that have taken great personal risk not just in their conduct on the ground even being here today. There was a statement made earlier and i know what you meant to say that we dont know who the good guys are and i know what you mean. I know five of them are but three in particular. We thank them for the work theyve done. The other part i say to my colleagues it is a lesson to be learned we didnt have to be here today. This didnt have to happen. It was pointed out repeatedly standing up against the government. When we talk about some of these were fighting actors on the ground its amazing how many are not serious and how this became a magnet for the foreign fighters all over the region to come in and use it as a playground for the aims and goals and how the regime has decided to come in and slaughter the fellow countrymen. It was stunning on the committee we have a hearing and i asked a very direct question of the nominee for the secretary of state about whether the russians have been involved in the commission of the war crimes. I think hopefully by now he has been made aware of the reality targeting the medical facility is no matter what is happening in that area is a war crime and that targeting wouldnt have been possible had it not been for the assistance and direct attacks conducted by the regime moving forward i think that this is an ongoing crisis for the world and to those who have argued in the past that america has a lot of problems and we should be focused on the problems and that other countries take care of their problems, it doesnt work that way. Thats not how the world works today. We are having debates about Refugee Programs. We didnt have refugees or people thawerepeople that needee there wouldnt be an issue for us to be debating in this country. And the other this is the absence of leadership looks like and sadly it is a bipartisan absence in many cases that has led to the situation so sometimes it isnt enough to do the right thing, you have to do the right thing at the right time because if you dont see options are forestalled and you reach the situation we are facing. There are obligation to take the message back to ensure the ideas are reflected not just on what we do now but the role america plays in the world do you cope years to come. Particularly those that risk their lives before they came and now upon their return i hope this will serve as an inspiration to every member of the committee and the senate and those of us that care deeply about the affairs of the world and the way forward, so thank you for posting this hearing and i want to thank you all for being here. The record is going to remain open until the close of business on friday and that includes time to submit additional questions for the record. We asked the witnesses given the circumstances to respond promptly because they will be made part of the record we can refer back to to debate interesting topic topics in thes and months to come. I want to thank the members who came and the hearing is adjourned. [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]