U.S. Contributes Additional $85 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

The United States is pleased to announce an additional contribution of $85 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in support of their 2003 Annual and Supplemental Programs budget. Of this $85 million contribution, $75 million will go toward Annual Program activities, and $10 million for their Supplementary Program in Afghanistan.

This funding will allow the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, the lead United Nations agency responsible for protection and assistance of the world’s refugees, to provide assistance and emergency response activities to the following regions:

Africa $34 million
East Asia $3.9 million
Europe $13.5 million
Near East $ 1.8 million
South Asia $15.2 million
Western Hemisphere $2 million
Multiregional $14.6 million

This $85 million contribution brings the total U.S. contribution to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Fiscal Year 2003 to $258 million.

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell and UN High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers discussed during their meeting today the High Commissioner’s return and repatriation plans for Iraqi refugees, the impact of security concerns in Afghanistan on refugee return and reintegration, and Mr. Lubbers’ recent visit to West Africa.