FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 7, 2007

CONTACT: STEPHANIE NIEDRINGHAUS, 202-347-9797 x224, sniedringhaus@networklobby.org

CATHOLIC AND OTHER GROUPS ISSUE URGENT CALL FOR ACTION BY CONGRESS TO BRING PEACE TO IRAQ

Washington , DC : Today, NETWORK, a national Catholic social justice lobby, and 34 other prominent religious and social justice organizations* urgently called on Congress to strengthen current U.S. efforts to stabilize and rebuild Iraq. In a joint statement, they stated that the U.S. has the ability to help Iraqis through proven strategies of peacebuilding, humanitarian relief and responsible economic development. They also reminded Congress that economic progress that creates jobs and opportunities for Iraqis will play a pivotal role in ending the conflict.

The organizations called specifically for action by Congress to provide supplemental funding that includes:

• $290 million to respond to the needs of an estimated 3.7 million Iraqis displaced in and outside their own country, including an estimated 712,000 displaced since the Samarra bombing in February 2006
  
  Critical funding is needed to replenish emergency humanitarian accounts for immediate draw downs. This would support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other humanitarian groups that are helping to assist 1.7 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) inside Iraq and an additional 2 million Iraqi refugees in nearby states (mostly in Jordan and Syria) as recommended by the Iraq Study Group Report (Recommendation 66). Replenished funds would also help ease the burden on host countries and support the resettlement of the most vulnerable groups, including Iraqis targeted for their affiliation to the U.S.
  
• $100 million to restore full funding of the Community Action Program (CAP) and the Marla Ruzicka Iraqi War Victims Fund (Marla Fund)
  
  Community-driven projects that are conceived and executed by Iraqis have been highly successful, and have not been the target of violence, even when their funding derives from USAID through U.S.-based NGOs. Collectively known as the “Community Action Program” (or CAP), these programs promote stability through the rebuilding of diverse communities by bringing together local stakeholders from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds. A January 2005 report issued by the Regional Inspector General for USAID in Baghdad, said CAP achieved 98% of its intended outputs including citizen participation, inter-community cooperation, local government cooperation, local employment generation, and environmental considerations, based upon examination of 89 statistically-representative sites. Recent reports by the U.S. Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) also note CAP’s high level of effectiveness. The Marla Fund, which is administered through CAP, assists Iraqi civilians harmed in the conflict: widows receive small loans and business training; children and orphans receive assistance; bombed homes are restored.

• Funding to reverse the decline in U.S. economic assistance as recommended by the Iraq Study Group Report (Recommendation 64)
  
  Stimulating local economies and tackling soaring unemployment can do far more to stem violence than military operations -- and at a fraction of the cost. For an estimated $100 million, we can support the reactivation of 143 state-owned factories and facilitate the employment of more than 150,000 Iraqis. By applying lessons learned, improving oversight, and engaging international partners as recommended by the Iraq Study Group (Recommendation 65), the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. development assistance will improve.

• $100 million to support Iraqi civil society, conflict resolution and peacebuilding strategies, and the advancement of human rights and rule of law
  
  Supplemental funding is necessary to continue ongoing USAID programs such as the U.S. NGO managed Iraq Civil Society and Independent Media Program (ICSP) successfully working with more than 1,800 Iraqi civil society organizations active in women’s advocacy, human rights, civic education, anti-corruption and strengthening civil society. At least $10 million of this funding should be granted on a competitive basis, in order to encourage the participation of more U.S. and international NGOs in efforts to provide technical assistance, training, oversight and support for Iraqi NGOs and organizations.

* Organizations endorsing statement: Alliance of Baptists; Amnesty International USA; America’s Development Foundation (ADF); American Friends Service Committee (AFSC); Call to Action (CTA); Church of the Brethren Witness/Washington Office; Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC); Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM); Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC); Fourth Freedom Forum; Franciscan Friars (OFM) Holy Name Province; Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL); General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church (GBCS-UMC); Global Ministries of the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights; International Human Rights Law Institute (IHRLI); International Medical Corps (IMC); International Relief and Development (IRD); Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR); Life for Relief and Development; Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns; Mercy Corps; Mennonite Central Committee Washington Office; Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC); National Council of Churches USA (NCC); NETWORK: A Catholic Social Justice Lobby; Open Society Policy Center; Pax Christi USA; Presbyterian Church (USA) Washington Office; Refugees International; Relief International; U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants; War Kids Relief; Women’s Action for New Directions; 3D Security Initiative

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NETWORK—a Catholic leader in the global movement for justice and peace—educates, organizes and lobbies for economic and social transformation. Founded in 1971 by 47 Catholic sisters, NETWORK is supported by thousands of groups and individuals committed to working for social and economic justice. For more information, see www.networklobby.org.