U.S. Contributes $126.8 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

[ZIRC]

U.S. Contributes $126.8 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Media Note

 Office of the Spokesman

Washington, DC

April 15, 2011

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The United States is pleased to announce a contribution of $126.8 million toward the 2011 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The contribution, funded through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, will support UNHCR’s programs worldwide, including refugee returns to such places as Afghanistan and the Sudan; local integration and resettlement; and protection and life-saving assistance. U.S. funding supports the provision of water, shelter, food, healthcare, and education to refugees, internally displaced persons, and other persons under UNHCR’s care and protection in countries such as Iraq, Colombia, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda.

The contribution will directly support UNHCR’s Annual and Supplementary Program activities as indicated below.

Africa	$ 39.9 million
Asia and Pacific	$ 23.0 million
Europe	$ 3.8 million
Global Operations	$ 7.9 million
Middle East	$ 49.4 million
Western Hemisphere	$ 2.8 million
TOTAL	$ 126.8 million

With this contribution, the United States will have provided more than $285 million toward UNHCR’s 2011 operations so far this year.

We note that this year is the 60^th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and the 50^th anniversary of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.

We salute the vital and courageous work of UNHCR, its many NGO partners, and refugee hosting countries in providing protection to vulnerable people around the world.