The plight of Iraqi refugees is dire, especially for children, and calls for increased US assistance, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said in a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The prelates voiced concern following a mission to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria to view the situation of refugees forced to flee their war-torn nation.
"It was clear that the countries we visited are in dire need of additional support from the United States and the international community in order to provide safe haven to the almost two million Iraqi refugees in the region," they said. "Without a heightened commitment from our nation and others, we are fearful that these countries will no longer welcome and protect these refugees, particularly if the security situation in Iraq deteriorates and more Iraqis flee their homes."
The prelates highlighted "lack of sufficient funding to ensure that the basic needs of refugees and their families are being met." They noted the "need of medical care, which is not readily available."
"Children are particularly vulnerable," they said.
The bishops also urged the United States "to work even more urgently for a responsible transition to end the war in Iraq, noting that "the existence of large numbers of vulnerable refugees is a tragic and unfortunate byproduct of the war."
