Ahead of the Summit the White House also announced that 51 United States companies committed to donating, investing or raising more than US$650 million to aid the refugee crisis.
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United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks as President of the 71st session of the General Assembly Peter Thomson, center, and Mogens Lykketoft, President of the 70th session of the General Assembly look on during the opening of a summit addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, Monday, Sept. 19, 2016, at U.N. headquarters.
“We are facing a crisis of epic proportion”, Obama said. “To slam the door in the face of these families would betray our deepest values”. The brash tycoon has spearked a wave of criticism over his comments on race, immigrants and refugees, including calling for a ban on Muslim travelers to the United States.
The U.S. said countries taking part were also pledging to increase humanitarian aid by $3 billion.
The pledges included funds to ensure access to schools for one million refugee children and enabling one million refugees to work legally. “The UN’s plans for the new “Global Compact” on refugees must agree a step change in finance for vulnerable people, not more giant cheques that bounce”. “With few exceptions, many world leaders failed to rise to the occasion, making commitments that still leave millions of refugees staring into the abyss”, said Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International.
In his speech, Obama said many nations are “doing the right thing” on the refugee issue, but countries “with wealth and the benefits of geography” can do more to offer a hand to the displaced people.
“This crisis is a test of our common humanity – whether we give in to suspicion and fear and build walls, or whether we see ourselves in another”, Obama said.
President Barack Obama wants Congress to approve the deal, but both Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump oppose it.
The countries taking part in the US -led coalition include that who are among the most burdened by the migrant crisis like Germany, Sweden and Canada.
After admitting one million refugees past year, Germany pledged to continue welcoming those in search of refuge.
‘I ask you all to use your influence now to make it a reality, ‘ he stated in a meeting of the 15-member authority tackling the conflict in Syria, attended by Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov and US State Secretary John Kerry. He said that would send the message that countries like the U.S. were “somehow opposed to Islam”.
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“Regrettably Obama’s heartfelt call for more compassionate action stands in stark contrast to the polices of some rich countries who are proposing higher walls and more punitive border controls”. More than half of them are still living in Lebanon, Jordan, Iran, and Pakistan.
