Country: Russia

Committee: General Assembly #3

Delegate: Ivanna Espinoza
School: High Tech High Chula Vista
Topic: Syrian Refugee Crisis

Opening Statement:
470,000 is the estimated amount of people who have been killed in the Syrian civil
war. The war is not only 2 groups but includes many other countries backing the group they
believe in which has led it to becoming a proxy way. The main groups at war are ISIS,
Bashar Al-Assad (Syrian president), and the rebels. Many citizens of Iraq and Syria have
been fleeing due to the fear of being persecuted or murdered. An estimated 6.6 million Syrian
refugees have moved elsewhere within Syria, another 4.8 million have found refuge in other
surrounding countries, and 2 million more have applied for asylum in european countries.
This is a humanitarian crisis that not only needs to be addressed but action needs to be taken
in order to keep the peace.

National Actions:
Russia acknowledges the issue at hand and has been backing Bashar Al-Assad. We
believe that only a political solution can end the conflict. Russia has provided over $6.8
million to help Syrian refugees; and shouldnt need to assist them in any other way. We
believe our country is not the place for them; hence the fact that there are only 7,096 Syrian
citizens in Russia. Our relationship with Syria stretches back over 4 decades, and when the
Arab Spring begun we found ourselves in need of new allies. We do not take any
responsibility in accepting refugees as we are doing our part by assisting the Syrian
government in combating terrorist groups, and providing the UNHCR with financial aid. The
burden of the Syrian refugee crisis should fall on those countries whose policies contributed
to the war in Syria.

United Nations:
The UN has not done its fair share to help refugees as many are still waiting to be
accepted. Russia is not a large supporter on any humanitarian aid acts; and has used its veto
powers four times to block resolutions on Syria that we see as damaging to our ally, such as
the use of chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun. The UNHCR is The UN Refugee Agency
which is currently helping Syrian refugees with cash for medicine and food, stoves and fuel
for heating, insulation for tents, thermal blankets and winter clothing. 13.5 million people in
Syria are in need and only 6.5 million have been displaced. In response to the Syrian refugee
crisis and the lack of funding for the UNHCR the 3RP has been created, which is an act for
the UNHCR to receive more funding and continue to help Syrian refugees.

Recommendation For Action:

Russia believes that this problem must be tackled from within if the war and refugee
crisis is ever going to end. Bashar Al-Assad must receive more backing to fight against ISIS
and the rebels. Another side of the issue being the refugees, we cant have a war going on
around civilians, therefore we must find other countries for them to be displaced into;
neighboring countries would be the best place for them financially and demographically. The
citizens wouldnt feel as torn from their families or roots. If all of us work together to fund
the UNHCR by complying to the 3RP act we would be able to help the citizens and after fight
the terrorists. To successfully combat not only one but multiple terrorist groups in Syria we
must financially support Bashar Al-Assad, this will strengthen the role of Syria as a country.
To fight a problem it must be fought from within.

Works Cited:
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Legitimacy at Risk, Says US." The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 23 Sept.
2015. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
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Apr. 2017.
"Death Tolls." I AM SYRIA. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.
Mahapatra, Lisa. "Who Are Russia's Allies And Enemies? Here's How Russians View Other
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Micallef, Joseph V. "The US and Russia: Perpetual Enemies or Potential Allies?"
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