Democracy, Human Rights, Refugees: Assistant Secretary Anne C. Richard Traveling to Switzerland, Iraq, and Jordan

Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Anne C. Richard will travel to Switzerland, Iraq, and Jordan from May 1 – 10, 2012.

In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Richard will lead the U.S. delegation at the International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to support voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. Through a unique quadripartite consultative process, the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan and UNHCR have agreed on a multi-year regional strategy to address assistance to Afghan refugees and returnees, including nearly three million Afghan refugees who continue to be generously hosted by Pakistan and Iran and those Afghan refugees who choose to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. Assistant Secretary Richard will also meet with officials of various international humanitarian organizations to discuss relevant humanitarian issues.

In Iraq, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Iraqi officials and representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations responsible for assisting internally displaced Iraqis and Iraqi returnees.

In Jordan, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Government of Jordan, international and non-governmental officials to discuss policy and program issues regarding displaced Syrians in Jordan, and Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. She will also preside over the ground-breaking for a new school for Palestinian refugees.

For more information, please contact Deborah Sisbarro at 202-453-9339, or PRM-Press-DL@state.gov.