Statement of Carl Anderson, CEO of the Knights of Columbus, on U.S. Assistance to Genocide-Targeted Communities in Iraq

Several months ago, the Knights of Columbus praised Vice President Pence's announcement that American aid dollars would begin reaching Christian and other communities in Iraq targeted for genocide. Today, tens of millions of American aid dollars are now being put to work for these fragile communities - some via USAID, some via the State Department and some via the United Nations - with more planned in the months ahead. We are grateful for the actions of the American government in this regard, and look forward to continuing to work with our government and those affected by the genocide to ensure that needed relief reaches those most in need, and that these communities survive for generations to come. The importance of our government's assistance to these religious minority groups cannot be underestimated - both in terms of the hope it gives to these communities, and to their very survival. In addition, the U.S. government's actions bring America's foreign aid into line with our country's response to previous genocides and will also help defeat ISIS' overall strategy of eliminating minorities from the Middle East.