U.S. Contributes $125 Million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees

The United States is pleased to announce an initial $125 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its 2005 Annual Programs. This contribution will help UNHCR, which is the lead UN agency responsible for providing protection and assistance to the world’s refugees, to address the needs of the more than 17 million refugees and other persons of concern and to provide assistance to the following regions:

Africa	$50.0 million
Near East	$ 2.9 million
Europe	$14.1 million
South Asia	$20.3 million
East Asia	$ 5.2 million
Western Hemisphere	$ 4.6 million
Global Operations/Headquarters/Operational Reserves	$27.9 million

UNHCR is a key partner in critical humanitarian endeavors in Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, Chad, Liberia, Colombia, and elsewhere throughout the world. U.S. support helps ensure refugees’ lives and rights are adequately protected; their basic food, shelter, health, and education needs are met; and that they are able to return home once it is safe, or otherwise find a permanent solution to their plight.

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 UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

2005/106