States has allocated more than 4. 5 billion to meet syrian humanitarian needs. This includes over 1. 5 billion to ngos, the International Federation of red cross and red crescent and other International Organizations. Yet according to unhcr chronic funding shortages are greatly limiting aid. Since 2011 the u. N. Appeals have remained significantly underfunded and recently resulted to cuts in food aid and cash assistance. Lack of supplies is leading to begging, child labor, survival sex and increased debt. The world can and must do better. Its imperative when we talk to our allies particularly in the gulf countries that we emphasize the necessity of meeting the humanitarian need of these refugees. While the United States has been the leader weve fallen short in absorbing refugees. Jordan has absorbed half a million. Lebanon 1 million and turkey 2 million but since the 2011 the United States has taken in roughly 1,500 Syrian Refugees most in the past year. This is simply not acceptable.
Didnt find a whole lot in terms of studies that have looked at these things. Theres a lot of studies that talk about computer assisted and used to design a program that could be effective. What criteria is success . Well, first of all i think it was successful in that we did achieve what Congress Actually asked us to do in 1996, make sure that it was no inequality in terms of, you know, highincome areas having classrooms connected and lowincome areas not. By the way, in the early phase, not sure that will be true of the reform of the erate, but there certainly were studies that suggested that the erate in the years 97 through 2002 i think actually helped drive an upgrade to broadband in those areas where you had erate finding. It was kind of an anchor institution that drove greater connectivity. Look, i appreciate that. I think if you look at the weight of all the evidence that came in from various groups, and you can say they are biased, support for reform of the program to have wifi
And the inspired action you took to come to the aid of the veteran in crisis. Thank you all for the work that you do day in and day out on behalf of those who have served. A few weeks ago i had the honor of meeting with robert mcdonald, the secretary of the va. Secretary mcdonald is a man who has time and again answered the call of duty to his and our nation. He graduated from the United States military academy at west point in the top 2 of his class in 1975. An army veteran. Mr. Mcdonald served with the 82nd airborne division, completed jungle, arctic, desert warfare training, earned the ranger tab, that expert infantry men badge. Senior parachutist wing. Upon leaving military service, captain mcdonald was awarded the Meritorious Service medal. But mr. Mcdonalds expertise as a soldier is equal by his business beingaccumen. He earned a degree from the university of utah and has a career in the private sector. Before joining the va, chairman mcdonald was chairman, president and chief ex
The work that has been done by the admiral. And strengthen this with other military partners out there and so we do have dependable relationships and partners out there that we can work with and depend upon to accomplish a broader effort. So i do think it is important. And we have those who share interests. I would ask you, general, we are going to be conducting these operations outside afghanistan, how effective without me. Throughout the region as well, if you would lose all of your forces within the country. I think that that would be very challenging. And certainly there are lots of things that we can look at and i think that it would be challenging to try to address problems in one country from other regions and other countries. And this includes how we best use this in a manner that gives us the most effect. And your thoughts on that as well . If youre talking about afghanistan and how it involves the relationship of pakistan come in the capability and i look forward to the work
[inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] ladies and gentlemen, lets give that the Vice President a great thank you. [applause] and move on to our committee meeting. Our next meeting will be starting very shortly. They both start at three so we are running a little delay. Our committee on economic and development, and also at the same time education and Workforce Committee. Later on tonight we have the wonderful entertainment at the lime and auditorium. See you soon. [inaudible conversations] as you hearing a brief break in the governors meeting. Coming out, coming up in the few minutes, the education and Workforce Committee is meeting to focus on the role of education and economic development. They are guest speaker will be Lamar Alexander, the senior republican on the Senate Education committee. The ng Education Committee is chaired by governor steve beshear. We will have that live for you when they start here on cspan2. Until then a look at some o