Advanced search    Help

Clear all search criteria

Only 2/3! You are seeing results from the Public Collection, not the complete Full Collection. Sign in to search everything (see eligibility).

• Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated November 7, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez (president, 1999-2013), began a second term on January 10, 2019, that most Venezuelans and much of the international community consider illegitimate. Since January, Juan Guaidó, president of Venezuela's democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, has sought to form an interim government to serve until internationally observed elections can be held. Although the United States and 56 other countries recognize Guaidó as interim president, he has been unable to wrest Maduro from power. With Norway-backed negotiations between Maduro and Guaidó suspended, prospects for a negotiated solution to the crisis are uncertain. Venezuela's economy has collapsed. The country is plagued by hyperinflation, severe shortages of food and medicine, and electricity blackouts that have worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis. In April 2019, United Nations officials estimated that some 90% of Venezuelans are living in poverty. Maduro has blamed U.S. sanctions for these problems, but most observers cite economic mismanagement and corruption for the crisis. U.N. agencies estimate that 4.5 million Venezuelans had fled the country as of October 2019, primarily to Latin American and Caribbean countries."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy); Margesson, Rhoda . . .

  2019-11-07
• Kurds in Iraq and Syria: U.S. Partners Against the Islamic State [Updated December 28, 2016]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Summary: "Since 2014, the United States and members of a coalition it leads have partnered with a politically diverse set of Kurdish groups to combat the Islamic State organization (IS, also known as ISIS/ISIL or by the Arabic acronym Da'esh). [...] Legal authorities enacted by Congress and the President permit the Administration to provide some arms and some Iraq/Syria anti-IS-related funding to Kurdish groups under certain conditions. In April 2016, the Defense Department announced that it would provide more than $400 million in assistance to pay and otherwise sustain Iraqi Kurdish fighters as part of an ongoing partnership that delivers U.S. assistance to Iraqi Kurds with the consent of the Iraqi national government. Some Members of Congress proposed legislation in the 114th Congress that would have extended or expanded U.S. cooperation with Kurdish groups under certain conditions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Zanotti, Jim; Humud, Carla E.; Blanchard, Christopher M. . . .

  2016-12-28
• Bahamas: Response to Hurricane Dorian [Updated October 1, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "On September 1-2, 2019, Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 storm with winds of 180 miles per hour and storm surges of up to 23 feet, caused widespread damage to the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco in the northwestern Bahamas, a country of some 700 islands off the southeast coast of the United States. [...] According to the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID), 60% of the structures on Grand Bahama and Abaco were completely or severely damaged and 27% were moderately damaged. Among the areas suffering the most severe damage was Abaco's town of Marsh Harbour. Thousands of people from the two islands have relocated to other parts of the Bahamas, especially New Providence Island, where Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas is located; about 1,600 were residing in shelters as of September 23. According to press reports, U.S. Customs and Border Protection maintained that about 3,900 Bahamian evacuees had arrived in Florida as of September 13."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Sullivan, Mark P.

  2019-10-01
• Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated March 12, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Venezuela remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. Maduro, narrowly elected in 2013 after the death of Hugo Chávez (president, 1999-2013), began a second term on January 10, 2019, that is widely considered illegitimate. Since January 2019, Juan Guaidó, president of Venezuela's democratically elected, opposition-controlled National Assembly, has sought to form a transition government to serve until internationally observed elections can be held. The United States and 57 other countries recognize Guaidó as interim president, but he has been unable to wrest Maduro from power and has faced increased danger since returning home from a January-February 2020 tour, which included a meeting with President Trump. Some observers believe that National Assembly elections due this year might start an electoral path out of the current stalemate."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy); Margesson, Rhoda . . .

  2020-03-12
• Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated February 6, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "In response to increasing numbers of people on the move, the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Plenary Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 adopted the 'New York Declaration,' which aims to save lives, protect rights, and share responsibility for refugees and migrants on a global scale. Building on this initiative, U.N. member states developed two global compacts--a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and a Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In December 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the GCM negotiations. (In November 2018, it also withdrew U.S. participation in the GCR.) Refugees are distinct from migrants because of their specific status and protections under international law. In July 2018, U.N. member states finalized the text of the GCM. Governments signed the compact at the U.N. Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration in Marrakech, Morocco, on December 10-11, 2018, with 152 votes in favor, 5 against (Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Poland, United States), and 12 abstentions. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the GCM on December 19, 2018."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-02-06
• Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated February 6, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "As the number of refugees worldwide reached unprecedented levels in recent years, Congress has demonstrated a continued interest in refugee 'resettlement', although such opportunities are available to only a small percentage of the global refugee population. This report does not discuss the refugee 'admissions' process to the United States."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-02-06
• Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [October 16, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Numerous Members of the 115th Congress have demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly as a result of the recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2017, an estimated 232 million international migrants formed roughly 3% of the world's population. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines a migrant as 'any individual who has temporarily or permanently crossed an international border and is no longer residing in his/her country of origin/habitual residence.' The decision to move is usually made out of a choice related to livelihood, improved economic circumstances, or family ties. However, as discussed below, certain factors may force individuals to leave involuntarily."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Able-Thomas, Catherine L.

  2018-10-16
• Rohingya Crises in Bangladesh and Burma [November 08, 2017]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The Rohingya--a predominately Sunni Muslim minority of northern Rakhine State in Burma (Myanmar)--are facing several concurrent crises precipitated by the reported attack on August 25, 2017, on Burmese security facilities near the border with Bangladesh. The attacks, allegedly conducted by a relatively new and little known Rohingya nationalist group, the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and an ensuing 'clearance operation' conducted by Burma's security forces have resulted in the rapid displacement of more than 600,000 Rohingya into makeshift camps in eastern Bangladesh, and the internal displacement of an unknown number of people within Rakhine State. These events have created two immediate humanitarian crises in Bangladesh and in Rakhine State. In addition, long-standing policies and attitudes in Burma regarding the Rohingya are creating major challenges to the possibility of their voluntary return. Starting in the 1960s under Burma's military juntas and continuing until today under a mixed civilian/military government, Burma's laws and policies have deprived most of the Rohingya of many of their human rights, including their citizenship. According to some observers, it is likely that many of the displaced Rohingya will not wish to return to Burma unless their safety can be secured, the discriminatory laws and policies are changed, and their human rights restored. If conditions in Burma are not suitable for repatriation, the international community may need to consider other assistance for the Rohingya, including longer-term accommodation in camps in Bangladesh and exploring local integration and resettlement options."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Martin, Michael F.; Margesson, Rhoda; Vaughn, Bruce, 1963-

  2017-11-08
• Venezuela Regional Migration Crisis [November 27, 2018]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Venezuela has elevated congressional concerns about the country, which remains in a deep political and economic crisis under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro. Even as Venezuela has experienced hyperinflation (the highest in the world), a rapid contraction of its economy, and severe shortages of food and medicine, President Maduro has refused to accept international humanitarian assistance. As conditions in the country deteriorate, increasing numbers of Venezuelans continue to leave for urgent reasons, including lack of food, medicine, and access to social services; political persecution; insecurity; and loss of income. As the pace of arrivals from Venezuela has quickened, neighboring countries, particularly Colombia, are straining to absorb a population that is often malnourished and in poor health."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Seelke, Clare Ribando

  2018-11-27
• Cyclone Idai in Southern Africa: Humanitarian and Recovery Response in Brief [Updated April 12, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Cyclone Idai--a large and powerful tropical storm--came ashore on March 14, 2019, at Beira, a low-lying port city in central Mozambique, causing widespread devastation in southeastern Africa. The system dumped torrents of rain over large parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, causing extensive flooding, mudslides, and at least one dam collapse. It also featured strong, sustained, and destructive winds, and caused widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and crops. Cyclone Idai's impact was extensive, covering at least 1,200 square miles; it is among the worst recorded natural disasters to hit the region (see Figure 1). The storm displaced large numbers of people, many of whom are now in need of humanitarian assistance, as well as significant resources for recovery and reconstruction. Post-storm aid responses have been expanding. They have shifted from an initial focus on search and rescue to the provision of emergency food aid, shelter, and health care; efforts to enable access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and other humanitarian interventions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Cook, Nicolas

  2019-04-12
• The Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated April 10, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly as a result of the recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2017 (latest data available) an estimated 232 million international migrants formed roughly 3% of the world's population. [...] In response to increasing numbers of people on the move, the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Plenary Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 adopted the 'New York Declaration,' which aims to save lives, protect rights, and share responsibility for refugees and migrants on a global scale. Building on this initiative, U.N. member states developed two global compacts--a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and a Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In December 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the GCM negotiations. (In November 2018, it also withdrew U.S. participation in the GCR.) Refugees are distinct from migrants because of their specific status and protections under international law."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2019-04-10
• Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Southeastern Africa: Humanitarian and Recovery Response in Brief [Updated May 1, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Cyclone Idai--a large and powerful Category 2 tropical storm--came ashore on March 14, 2019, at Beira, a low-lying port city in central Mozambique, causing widespread devastation in southeastern Africa. A second strong storm, Cyclone Kenneth, came ashore on April 25 just north of the coastal town of Pemba in far northern Mozambique. Cyclone Kenneth featured winds as strong as 140 miles per hour (mph) and was classified as a Category 4 storm. Although Cyclone Kenneth made landfall in an area of Mozambique where cyclones rarely come ashore, it was reportedly the strongest recorded tropical storm ever to hit the country."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda; Cook, Nicolas

  2019-05-01
• Cyclones Idai and Kenneth in Southeastern Africa: Humanitarian and Recovery Response in Brief [Updated May 10, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Overview: "Cyclone Idai--a large and powerful Category 2 tropical storm--came ashore on March 14, 2019, at Beira, a low-lying port city in central Mozambique, causing widespread devastation in southeastern Africa. A second strong storm, Cyclone Kenneth, came ashore on April 25 just north of the coastal town of Pemba in far northern Mozambique. Cyclone Kenneth featured winds as strong as 140 miles per hour (mph) and was classified as a Category 4 storm. Although Cyclone Kenneth made landfall in Cabo Delgado Province, a northern area where cyclones rarely come ashore, it was reportedly the strongest tropical storm on record ever to hit the country. Cyclone Idai dumped torrents of rain over large parts of Mozambique, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Madagascar, causing extensive flooding, mudslides, and at least one dam collapse. It also featured strong, sustained, and destructive winds, and caused widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and crops. Cyclone Idai's impact was extensive, covering at least 1,200 square miles; it is among the worst natural disasters to hit the region. The storm displaced large numbers of people, many of whom are now in need of (1) humanitarian assistance, and (2) significant resources for recovery and reconstruction. Post-storm aid responses have been expanding. They have shifted from an initial focus on search and rescue to the provision of emergency food aid, shelter, and healthcare; efforts to enable access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); and other humanitarian interventions."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Cook, Nicolas; Margesson, Rhoda

  2019-05-10
• Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated January 11, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) anticipates that in 2019 more than 132 million people worldwide will require humanitarian assistance and protection as a result of conflict and disaster. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR, see text box) reported in 2018 that more than 68.5 million were forcibly displaced worldwide due to armed conflict, widespread or indiscriminate violence, or human rights violations. Those displaced included 25.4 million refugees, 3.1 million asylum seekers, and 40 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2019-01-11
• Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated January 8, 2019]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  "Congress has demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly as a result of the recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2017, an estimated 232 million international migrants formed roughly 3% of the world's population. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) defines a migrant as 'any individual who has temporarily or permanently crossed an international border and is no longer residing in his/her country of origin/habitual residence.' The decision to move is usually made out of a choice related to livelihood, improved economic circumstances, or family ties. However, as discussed below, certain factors may force individuals to leave involuntarily."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2019-01-08
• Venezuela: Background and U.S. Relations [Updated August 26, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Introduction: "This report provides an overview of the overlapping political, economic, and humanitarian crises in Venezuela, followed by an overview of U.S. policy toward Venezuela."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando; Nelson, Rebecca M.; Brown, Phillip (Specialist in Energy Policy) . . .

  2020-08-26
• Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated March 27, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated interest in the global migration crisis, particularly with recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2019 an estimated 272 million international migrants formed roughly 3.5% of the world's population. [...] In response to increasing numbers of people on the move, the U.N. General Assembly High-Level Plenary Summit on Refugees and Migrants in September 2016 adopted the 'New York Declaration,' which aims to save lives, protect rights, and share responsibility for refugees and migrants on a global scale. Building on this initiative, U.N. member states developed two global compacts--a Global Compact on Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) and a Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). In December 2017, the Trump Administration withdrew the United States from the GCM negotiations. (In November 2018, it also withdrew U.S. participation in the GCR.) Refugees are distinct from migrants because of their specific status and protections under international law."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-03-27
• Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated March 27, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "As the number of refugees worldwide reached unprecedented levels in recent years, Congress has demonstrated a continued interest in refugee 'resettlement,' although such opportunities are available to only a small percentage of the global refugee population. (For more information on the refugee 'admissions' process to the United States, see CRS Report RL31269, 'Refugee Admissions and Resettlement Policy.') On March 17, 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced they were suspending global resettlement travel for refugees due to the COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] travel bans."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-03-27
• Venezuela Regional Humanitarian Crisis and COVID-19 [Updated September 2, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "The deteriorating humanitarian situation in Venezuela has elevated congressional concerns about the country, which remains in a deep crisis under the authoritarian rule of President Nicolás Maduro. Even before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Venezuelans were facing a lack of food, medicine and health, and access to social services. Political persecution, hyperinflation, loss of income, and oppressive poverty also contributed to a dire situation. According to household surveys, the percentage of Venezuelans living in poverty increased from 48.4% in 2014 to 96% in 2019 (80% in extreme poverty). Millions require humanitarian assistance, with pregnant and nursing women, those with chronic illnesses, indigenous people, migrants, children under five, and people with disabilities particularly in need. In February 2020, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) released an assessment showing that in 2019, 9.3 million Venezuelans were food insecure, with 2.3 million people at severe levels. Many Venezuelans reported that the price of food presented more of an obstacle than the availability of food. Many households did not have reliable access to potable water and reported interruptions in electrical service and gas supplies. With a collapsed health system, overall health indicators, particularly infant and maternal mortality rates, worsened. Previously eradicated diseases such as diphtheria and measles also became a major concern."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Seelke, Clare Ribando; Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-09-02
• Global Refugee Resettlement: Selected Issues and Questions [Updated September 1, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "As the number of refugees worldwide reached unprecedented levels in recent years, Congress has demonstrated a continued interest in refugee resettlement, although such opportunities are available to only a small percentage of the global refugee population. [...] On March 17, 2020, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced the suspension of global resettlement travel for refugees due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) travel bans. On June 18, 2020, they announced the resumption of resettlement departures for refugees, although many travel restrictions remained in place."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-09-01
• Global Compact on Migration (GCM) and U.S. Policy [Updated September 1, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Congress has demonstrated ongoing interest in the global migration crisis, particularly with recent flows of migrants and refugees to the United States from Central America and Mexico. In 2019 an estimated 272 million international migrants formed roughly 3.5% of the world's population. Although not formally defined under international law, many experts generally agree that an 'international migrant' is someone who changes his or her country of usual residence, temporarily or permanently, and for a variety of reasons. The decision to move is usually made out of a choice related to livelihood, improved economic circumstances, or family ties. However, as discussed below, certain factors may force individuals to leave involuntarily."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-09-01
• Overview of the Global Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis [Updated September 18, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Even before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global humanitarian and displacement crisis was unprecedented. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) anticipated that in 2020 more than 168 million people worldwide would require humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict and disaster. The United States is the single largest donor, consistently providing nearly one-third (more than $9.5 billion in FY2020) of total humanitarian and emergency food assistance through global accounts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-09-18
• Overview of the Global Humanitarian and Displacement Crisis [Updated December 11, 2020]

  Show summary     Open resource [pdf]     (open full abstract)

  From the Document: "Even before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the global humanitarian and displacement crisis was unprecedented. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) anticipated that in 2020 more than 168 million people worldwide would require humanitarian assistance and protection due to conflict and disaster. For 2021, UNOCHA's estimate has reached 235 million people. The United States is the single largest donor, consistently providing nearly one-third (more than $9.5 billion in FY2020) of total humanitarian and emergency food assistance through global accounts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Margesson, Rhoda

  2020-12-11