The civil war in Syria has led to one of the worst humanitarian crises since World War II. Since the conflict began six years ago, nearly five million people have fled from Syria to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Iraq. More than six million others have been displaced from their homes, but are unable to get out of Syria. A million people have requested asylum in Europe.
The Obama Administration committed to placing 10,000 Syrian refugees in the US in 2016. Last month, President Trump tried to ban all travel to and from Syria indefinitely. That ban was overturned, at least for the moment, by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals last Thursday night.
Today, a conversation about what is happening on the ground, and what we might be able to do to help the millions of people who are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Tom's guests today in Studio A are all deeply involved in the effort to help refugees. Bill O'Keefeis the Vice President for government relations and advocacy at Catholic Relief Services, which is based here in Baltimore. Linda Hartkeis the CEO of the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, also based in Baltimore. Bill Frelickis the Director of the Refugee Rights Program at Human Rights Watch in Washington, DC.
