Syrian Resolution
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Due to recent events in Syria thousands of refugees have been fleeing the country, the United States economic interest in the Middle East
Jordan has taken in Syrian refugees since the beginning of the uprising. Refugees are from Deraa, Damascus, Homs and Hama. The Assad is brutality mistreating citizens with death, rape, and torture. Since summer numbers in Jordan have risen to over 180,000, according to the Jordanian government. A camp in Zaatari set forth new laws that any future Syrian refugees would have to live in organized camps. The camps are located on desert lands, temperatures are above 104 degrees, and the camps are dirty and over ridden. Jordan is having difficulty handling the refugees; Jordan is a impoverish nation relying heavily on money from the US to balance its budget. Turkey’s response to the Syria crisis has been better organized than Jordan’s, being wealthier and better placed to cope with the 80,000 refugees that had arrived by late August. There are worries in the Middle East that economic problems could translate into political tension. The Jordan government has denied entry to Syrians of Palestinian origin. In fear it may upset Jordan’s political balance, with recent plans for the Nsur to lead the first Parliamentary Government in Jordan. Potential for the destabilization both government and economy of Jordan and Turkey grows with every refugee crossing its border. Until recently, Turkey has been able to fund its response to the crisis itself; with the government controlled Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD disaster agency taking the lead rather than UNHCR. Many refugees are being treated for injuries in Jordan and Turkish hospitals; children are entering into previously crowded public school systems. The UNHCR have made an urgent appeal for $429 million, revising this to $700 million within a week. The United States has already pledged $100 million; however the international community as a whole has been slow to react.

My proposal is that the United States enter into current safe zones within Syria and begin to secure cities for citizen relocation. Funding would be allocated by the Appropriations committee, totaling to $300 million in funding after previously pledging $100 million to the UN. This would allow for the rebuilding of towns including residencies, shops, schools and hospitals. American troops would be used as man power to build these new homes and towns for all the citizens that were forced to flee. These areas would be secured as “safe zones” allowing Syrian citizens to be moved back from within camps in Turkey and Jordan. The United States would also ask for aid in repairing parts of Syria from Turkey and Jordan in both financial and by man power. Instead of using funds to build camps within their own countries, it is more logical to build within Syria. This would stop financial, economic, population strains across the Middle East if refugees could move back into newly built villages.