Statement by President Obama on the Situation in Syria
The United States has been inspired by the Syrian peoples’ pursuit of a peaceful transition to democracy. They have braved ferocious brutality at the hands of their government. I strongly condemn this brutality, including the disgraceful attacks on Syrian civilians and the arrests of opposition figures who have been denied justice and subjected to torture at the hands of the regime. These violations of the universal rights of the Syrian people have revealed to Syria, the region, and the world the Assad government’s flagrant disrespect for the dignity of the Syrian people.
Read moreClinton Says Enforcement of Universal Rights Should Be Shared
Speaking at the National Defense University in Washington August 16 with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Clinton said the U.S. use of “smart power” means working with more nations to uphold universal values, as opposed to having only the options of “brute force” or unilateralism in response to global challenges.
Read moreFact Sheet on U.S. Response to Humanitarian Crisis in the Horn of Africa
The United States is deeply concerned by the humanitarian emergency in the Horn of Africa, the famine that is underway in parts of Somalia, and the escalating refugee crisis across the region. A large-scale international response is underway to prevent the further decline of an already dire situation, but there will be no quick fix.
Read moreU.S. Mobilizes Global Response to Horn of Africa Crisis
Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Biden, has led a U.S. delegation to the Horn of Africa to mobilize a global response to the region’s worst drought in more than 60 years, which the United Nations estimates has left at least 12.4 million people in urgent need of food, water and medical care.
Read moreWhite House Provides Additional U.S. Funds for Horn of Africa Famine
President Obama authorized an additional $105 million for urgent humanitarian relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. U.S. assistance will continue funding the urgently needed food, health, shelter, water and sanitation assistance to those who desperately need help.
Read moreU.S. Senior Advisor on Darfur Travels to Geneva, London
In Geneva, Ambassador Smith will meet with humanitarian agencies and organizations to discuss how to support international efforts aimed at creating sustainable opportunities to improve the livelihoods the Darfuri people while decreasing dependence on humanitarian assistance.
Read moreTop U.S. Officials Heading to Kenya; Refugee Numbers Rise
The U.N. Refugee Agency reported August 5 that the number of Somali refugees arriving at three camps located at Dadaab, Kenya, has increased to almost 1,500 a day in the first four days of August. That’s an increase from an average of 1,300 a day in July.
Read moreExpanded Area of Eastern Africa Is Beset with Famine
Famine has reached new areas of Somalia, according to an August 3 analysis of conditions in the region, and food insecurity in other parts of the eastern African country will likely reach famine levels within the next six weeks.
Read moreNew Measures Will Improve Ability to Prevent and Respond to Mass Atrocities and Serious Human Rights Violations
The new interagency Atrocities Prevention Board announced by President Obama today will develop cross-cutting strategies to prevent atrocities and ensure that senior officials throughout our government are warned about emerging threats. And , for the first time, we will explicitly bar persons identified as organizing or participating in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and certain serious violations of human rights from entering the United States.
Read moreU.S. Reassures Aid Agencies Providing Relief in Somalia
Because of the compelling humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, including southern Somalia, the Obama administration is reassuring nongovernmental organizations and aid groups that they will not risk prosecution if their efforts to aid famine victims violate U.S. sanctions on the terrorist group al-Shabaab.
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