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For Immediate Release
April 26, 2005 |
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Shays Encourages Protection
of Women and Children in Supplemental Bill
Washington, D.C. - Congressman Christopher Shays
(R-CT), Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security,
Emerging Threats and International Relations, and Congressman
William Delahunt (D-MA), wrote to Foreign Operations Appropriations
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ranking Member
Nita Lowey (D-NY) to ask for their support of a Senate amendment
that designates $25 million of the tsunami funds specifically
for women and children. Kolbe and Lowey are Conferees on the
Supplemental bill, which funds operations in Iraq and provides
money for humanitarian relief in Southeast Asia.
Shays was the lead cosponsor of H.R. 1413, the Women and
Children in Crisis Protection Act, designed to safeguard lives
of women and children fleeing armed conflict, oppression,
famine, drought and natural disaster. The legislation is supported
by Save the Children, which is based in Shays’ District.
Following the tsunami in Southeast Asia, Shays visited the
region to assess tsunami relief efforts underway and the unfolding
needs of the region.
The following is the text of the letter:
Dear Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey:
We are writing to express our support for a Senate amendment
to H.R. 1268, the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act
for Defense, the Global War on Terror, and Tsunami Relief,
2005 that designates $25 million for the protection of women
and children. As you consider this legislation in Conference,
we respectfully request you reaffirm Congress’ commitment
to protecting women and children by including this critical
funding in the final version of the bill.
The action taken by the Senate will ensure support for initiatives
that focus on the immediate and long-term needs of women and
children for protection and permanency, including the registration
of unaccompanied children, the reunification of children with
their immediate or extended families, assistance to improve
the capacity of governments and appropriate private entities
to facilitate domestic and international adoption of orphaned
children, the protection of women and children from violence
and exploitation, and activities designed to prevent the capture
of children by armed forces and promote the integration of
war affected youth.
With over 120,000 people having lost their lives as a result
of the tsunami, many family units and communities around the
region have been shattered. Over 421,000 individuals remain
displaced from their homes as a result of the recent tsunami.
Children remain separated from their families. Many families
will continue to live in camps for months or years to come.
The great instability and insecurity caused by this natural
disaster have left thousands of women and children at increased
risk of being separated from their families, being forced
into unsafe labor, or falling victim to sexual exploitation
or trafficking.
Recent data issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Social Affairs
reveals that 10,103 children are now living in camps. Out
of those numbers, 30% of the displaced children are living
with their parents, 43% are living with single parents, 20%
are separated from their parents but are still living with
other members of their extended family, and 7% are living
alone without surviving relatives. These statistics reinforce
the great need for protection programs that continue to exist
in areas affected by this crisis.
Thank you for considering our request. We look forward to
final legislation that provides funding and support for both
government and non-governmental agencies working to protect
women and children in the tsunami-affected areas.
Sincerely,
Christopher Shays |
William Delahunt |
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Member of Congress |
Member of Congress |
Contact: Sarah Moore,
202/225-5541
-30-
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