Protect the most vulnerable

In Spokane we have a refugee population of over 10,000 people who have fled their homes in search of a better life. As a student at Eastern Washington University, I share discussions with classmates who are former refugees. Learning from these students has enriched my learning experience; there’s nothing more instructive than understanding the situation in Syria or Sudan from those who experienced it firsthand.

Unfortunately, only a tiny fraction of the world’s more than 70 million displaced people are lucky enough to have the opportunity to seek refuge in the United States. It is time for the U.S. government to take action to address the root causes of this violence that causes displacement. This is why we need to pass the Global Fragility Act (S.727).

This bipartisan legislation would ensure America does its part to prevent violence and conflict around the world. This Act would create a multiagency strategy to stabilize conflict zones. It invests more into diplomatic actions in the most at-risk regions. Furthermore, it would make us more open to innovation in conflict prevention by continually measuring and assessing our efforts to stabilize and preempt violence.

I’d like to thank Sen. Maria Cantwell for cosponsoring the Global Fragility Act, along with nearly 20 other bipartisan senators. I urge Sen. Patty Murray to join Sen. Cantwell as a co-sponsor. Not all those fleeing violence make it to our shores safely, so we must prevent conflict to protect the most vulnerable citizens of this world.

Jordan Stevenson

Cheney