Meeks Introduces Resolution to Commend Government of Turkey

Congressman Lauds Efforts to Facilitate, Host and Care for Refugees Fleeing Assad Regime and Syrian Violence

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) announced that he introduced a resolution this week to commend the government of Turkey for its efforts to facilitate, host and care for refugees fleeing the Assad regime’s escalating violence in Syria.

“The ongoing brutality of the Syrian government against its own citizenry has resulted in the loss of nearly 9,000 Syrians, including women and children, destroying communities and livelihoods, triggering massive population displacement within Syria and throughout the region, and creating a deepening humanitarian crisis,” said Meeks.

“In response to this humanitarian crisis the Government of Turkey has hosted, as of mid-April 2012, nearly 25,000 Syrian refugees in camps in eastern provinces and has allowed visa-free entry of tens of thousands of Syrians who have fled Syria but not sought refuge in the camps. Despite significant increases in the number of Syrians seeking refuge in Turkey, the Turkish Government has continued to demonstrate generous hospitality, accepting full responsibility for assisting displaced Syrians within its borders, maintaining an open border to fleeing Syrians, and is responding robustly to their humanitarian needs.”

For these reasons, Congressman Meeks adopted the resolution, which recognizes the significant efforts undertaken by the Turkish government to adequately respond to this regional crisis by hosting and caring for the Syrian refugees within its borders.

The resolution also recognizes Turkey as an emerging global humanitarian actor that has played important roles in various international relief efforts, including in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sudan.