WASHINGTON — Michelle Nunn, CEO and President of the global humanitarian and development organization, CARE, issued the following statement on the White House move to sharply reduce the number of refugees allowed to resettle in the United States:
“The administration’s plan to slash the historically low number of 45,000 annual refugees allowed into the U.S. to a shamefully low 30,000 is cruel and un-American. This will be the smallest number of refugees resettled into America since the refugee program was created nearly four decades ago. This is taking place at a time when there are more refugees around the world than at any time since the Second World War. With the U.S. retreating from its global leadership role, countries like Bangladesh, Jordan and Uganda, which lack the abundant resources of the United States, are supporting the most vulnerable populations and we must stand alongside them. Our country is proof that refugees are a blessing. They seek to make a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities, often contributing far more than they receive. Refugees are engines of economic and cultural activity that enrich us all. At a time when immigration is at historic lows and the U.S. needs to remain competitive in the global economy, it should be a no-brainer to welcome refugees to the United States. Not just in economic terms, but in moral terms. Our values demand nothing less than helping those in need, much as many of our ancestors were welcomed to this land in times of distress.”
About CARE:
Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE has more than seven decades of experience helping people prepare for disasters, providing lifesaving assistance when a crisis hits, and helping communities recover after the emergency has passed. CARE places special focus on women and children who are often disproportionately affected by disasters. Last year, CARE worked in 94 countries to reach 80 million people, including more than 11 million through emergency response and humanitarian aid.
CARE has been providing aid in Syria since 2014, and has reached more than 3 million people to date. Our work is focused on food security, livelihoods, shelter, water and sanitation, and psychosocial support for people in crisis. CARE also works in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey with Syrian refugees and host communities.
To learn more, visit www.care.org.
Media Contact:
Nicole Harris, 404-735-0871, nharris@care.org