Press Releases 2008

U.S. Department of State Official Visits Lebanon to Discuss Iraqi Refugees

June 26, 2008

Ambassador James Foley, the Department of State’s Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugee Issues, visited Lebanon on Thursday to meet with senior Lebanese government officials and the United Nations High Commission on Refugees.  The purpose of his visit is to assess the needs of the Iraqi refugees in Lebanon and examine ways to enhance programs that provide assistance and help resettle the most vulnerable refugees in third countries.  During his trip to the region, Ambassador Foley also traveled to Turkey, Jordan and Syria.   

The U.S. Government remains committed to meeting its target of resettling 12,000 of the most vulnerable Iraqi refugees worldwide this fiscal year, ending September 30, 2008. The United States has already accepted 7,789 Iraqi refugees for resettlement since 2007, including 6,181 this fiscal year.

Since 2003, the U.S. Government has been the largest contributor to programs assisting displaced Iraqis, funding programs for food, health, education, water, sanitation and emergency shelter.