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U.S. Government Response to Humanitarian
Needs in the Kosovo Crisis

Fact Sheet released by the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration,
October 6, 1998

The United States has been actively engaged in negotiating a settlement in Kosovo and providing humanitarian assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and vulnerable individuals. The U.S. Government has called for a cessation of hostilities and all actions that negatively impact the well-being of civilians. The United States maintains constant pressure on Serb officials to allow unfettered access for humanitarian organizations in Kosovo and facilitate delivery of aid through issuance of visas, customs approval, and communications systems. Senior government officials, including Belgrade Charge Miles and Ambassador Chris Hill, as well as the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission, have traveled with aid agencies and raised the issue of access.

The U.S. Government works closely with international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure that their operations are supported and are fully addressing existing needs. The United States has urged other governments to provide assistance through NGOs and international organizations. The United States has provided direct financial contributions, commodities, and equipment to international and NGOs responding to the humanitarian needs of the more than 250,000 IDPs in Kosovo, 44,000 IDPs in Montenegro, 17,000-20,000 refugees in Albania, and some 8,000-10,000 refugees in Bosnia. To date, the United States has contributed more than $58 million in financial and material support to aid agencies providing humanitarian assistance. Following is a list detailing U.S. response to the conflict, as of October 6, 1998:

UN High Commissioner for Refugees
--$13.1 million to support emergency appeal
--185,000 Humanitarian Daily Rations (HDRs)

International Committee of the Red Cross
--$1.4 million to support emergency appeal

UN Children's Emergency Fund
--$1,750,000 to support emergency appeal

World Health Organization
--$400,000 to support emergency appeal

World Food Program
--$6,635,000 in commodities
--$50,000 in support costs
--8 surplus vehicles for use in Albania

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
--More than $35 million in financial and material support for humanitarian aid ------Delivery and shelter projects
--265,000 Humanitarian Daily Rations

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