As Winter Approaches and Crisis Drags on, Civilians Face New Challenges

WASHINGTON, Oct. 1, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the international community focuses on securing Syria's chemical weapons arsenal, another ticking time bomb – this one humanitarian – is threatening millions of people inside Syria and in neighboring countries.  More than 2 million Syrians, of whom more than half are children, have fled the fighting and taken refuge in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. Their presence is straining the resources of these countries, heightening tensions in the region. With fighting inside Syria showing no signs of abating, the United Nations estimates the number of refugees to reach 3 million by year's end, exacerbating a situation that is quickly going from bad to worse.

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A U.S. senator and NGO chief executive – both experts on the Syria crisis – will discuss the situation on the ground and humanitarian efforts underway, as well as concrete steps needed to re-orient international aid in order to effectively meet the needs of the worst humanitarian crisis in decades. National Press Club Newsmaker news conference, 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 8, 2013. 

Panelists:

• Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (D-PA), U.S. Senate National Security Working Group, Sponsor of Syria Democratic Transition Act of 2013
• Neal Keny-Guyer, chief executive officer, Mercy Corps, international NGO and leading responder to the Syria crisis

This National Press Club Newsmaker event is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. in the Bloomberg Room on the 13th floor of the National Press Building, 529 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.

Contact: Patti Giglio, NPC Newsmakers Committee/Host 202-903-7869, patti@psgcom.net

SOURCE National Press Club