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International Funding to Aid Afghanistan The Washington Post recently called attention once again to the dire plight of the Afghan people. The article raised the important issue of just what the international community is doing to assist. Unfortunately, the demands on the international community to respond to humanitarian crises around the world are growing. Even so, international assistance for Afghan refugees and Afghans still inside their devastated country is substantial, and is delivered through United Nations agencies as well as non- governmental organizations (NGOs) from a number of countries, including the United States. For example, this year the Afghanistan budget of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is nearly $40 million, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is spending $30 million this year for Afghans, and the World Health Organization (WHO) budget for Afghanistan this year is nearly $3 million. The United States is playing an important role in this regard. In fact, the United States is the largest single donor of humanitarian aid to Afghans - both refugees and inside Afghanistan - and we continue to respond generously to UN and other international appeals to meet critical Afghan needs, including relief for the current drought. This year our assistance specifically for Afghan refugees is over $15 million. When combined with our other assistance for Afghanistan - through UN agencies, the ICRC, and a range of NGOs - U.S. donations for Afghans will reach $100 million, up from $70 million last year. These funds support de-mining activities and provide housing, health care, education, and food. We pay close attention to ensure that our assistance reaches Afghan women and children. During the last 20 years, the Afghan people have endured foreign occupation, a decade of civil war, devastating earthquakes, and now the worst drought in a generation. We in the international community are doing a great deal to assist Afghans. However, we recognize, as continued press reporting makes clear, that more can and must be done.
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