*EPF410 05/20/2004
Text: U.S. Announces $88 Million in World Refugee Assistance
(Almost half directed at problems in Africa.) (380)

Secretary of State Colin Powell announced a more than $88 million U.S. contribution to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees May 18, the lead U.N. agency in providing assistance to the displaced.

According to a statement from the office of State Department spokesman Richard Boucher, the money will assist in meeting the needs of more than 20 million refugees. The largest single amount -- $44 million -- will be directed to Africa, the second largest --$18 million -- to South Asia.

Following is the text of the State Department statement:

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U.S. Department of State

Press Statement
Richard Boucher, Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 18, 2004

U.S. Contributes an Additional $88.3 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Secretary Powell met today with U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Ruud Lubbers. They discussed opportunities for the return home of refugees in several countries where prospects for peace are taking hold, particularly in Africa and Afghanistan. They also discussed UNHCR's operations in Chad, Sudan, and Iraq. Secretary Powell highlighted the importance of UNHCR's support for the refugee resettlement program in the United States.

Secretary Powell announced an additional contribution of $88.3 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in support of its 2004 Annual Programs.

This funding will allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which is the lead United Nations agency responsible for protection and assistance of the world's refugees, to address the needs of the more than 20 million refugees and other persons of concern and to provide assistance to the following regions:

Africa $44 million
Europe $ 7 million
Near East $ 1.5 million
South Asia $18.3 million
East Asia $ 3 million
Western Hemisphere $ 2.7 million

Global Operations/Headquarters $11.8 million

This will bring the total U.S. contribution to UNHCR in FY2004 to some $247 million to date.

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.
2004/566

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Released on May 18, 2004

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

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