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President’s 2007 Budget Request: Women’s Commission Concerned about Decrease in Assistance for R

The Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children welcomes the overall increase in funding for various refugee programs in President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget request, but is concerned about the proposed reduction for overseas assistance programs.

"Assistance to refugees overseas is lifesaving, particularly for refugee women and children who are often the most at risk," says Joan Timoney, director, advocacy and external relations. "In view of the ongoing crises in Sudan and other parts of Africa, and the challenge of assisting refugees returning to countries like Afghanistan and Liberia, this is not the time to reduce overseas assistance to the world's most vulnerable people."

While the recommended cut in overseas assistance is troubling, there is some good news for refugees in the President's budget request. The Administration is requesting additional funding to increase the number of refugees admitted to the United States from an expected 54,000 this year to as many as 70,000 next year. That's hopeful news for thousands of refugees who have been languishing in refugee camps unable to return home or build a new life in a different country.

The Administration's budget request also contains a significant increase for unaccompanied refugee children who arrive in the United States alone. The Division of Unaccompanied Children Services (DUCS), which takes care of these children, is slated for a 37 percent budget increase.

While commending the Administration for boosting some refugee assistance programs, the Women's Commission will urge Congress to reject the proposed cut in overseas assistance and to ensure that there is full funding for the vital services that help ensure the security and well-being of refuges worldwide, most of whom are women and children.

"The United States has long been a leader in refugee protection, but to maintain that leadership and uphold our moral obligations to the world's most vulnerable, we must adequately fund programs and services that will help save refugees' lives and protect them in crises," says Women's Commission Executive Director Carolyn Makinson. "The Women's Commission strongly urges Congress to provide the funding needed to fill this important gap."