*EPF208 12/30/2003
Text: U.S. Provides $75 Million for U.N. Refugee Support in 2004
(Additional $55 Million to Follow Shortly) (400)

The initial U.S. contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in 2004 is $75 million, the Department of State announced December 30.

These funds will be used by the United Nations to address the needs of more than 20 million refugees and other persons of concern around the world, the announcement said.

The contribution has been allocated on a regional basis, with Africa receiving the largest share of the initial amount.

An additional $55 million will be transferred from the U.S. to the U.N. early next year, and the United States is urging other nations to further their efforts in support of this program.

Following is the text of the State Department announcement:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
December 30, 2003

Media Note

U.S. Contributes An Initial $75 Million To The United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees

The United States is pleased to announce an initial $75 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its 2004 Annual Programs. This contribution will help the UNHCR, the U.N. agency responsible for protection of and assistance to the world's refugees, to address the needs of the more than 20 million refugees and other persons of concern to UNHCR during the early months of 2004.

This $75 million is part of the U.S. government's $130 million initial pledge to UNHCR announced in Geneva on December 8. The remaining $55 million of this pledge is expected to be contributed early next year.

This initial $75 million contribution will be allocated regionally, as follows:

-- Africa - $33 million
-- South Asia - $13 million
-- Europe - $9 million
-- East Asia - $2 million
-- Near East - $1.5 million
-- Western Hemisphere - $2.5 million
-- Global Operations/Headquarters/Operational Reserve - $14 million

UNHCR is a key U.S. partner in critical international humanitarian policy endeavors in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and elsewhere throughout the world. The substantial allocation for Africa reflects our continued concern for the needs of the millions of refugees in Africa.

The United States believes that the protection and care of refugees and the pursuit of permanent solutions for refugee crises are shared international responsibilities. The United States calls on other donors to strengthen their efforts in support of the programs of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees.

(end text)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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