US Reiterates Commitment To Defend And Help Refugees
As a fervent defender of human rights and committed to help those in need, the United States of America is not only the world’s leading donor of humanitarian aid, but also resettles more refugees than any other nation in the world.
As the world marks World Refugee Day last month, the United States of America reiterated its commitment to defend and help refugees scattered by violence and oppression around the world.
One of the proofs that the United States is ready to help the refugees is the admittance of 70,000 refugees in fiscal year 2013.
Even in his remarks in Washington DC, US Secretary of State John Kerry said the resilience, determination, and achievements of the millions resettled in the United States prove the value and importance of its work in addressing the refugee situations globally.
He said people who have been uprooted deserve more than food, shelter, and medical care.
“They deserve dignity and respect and the opportunity to build a better future.” – Secretary Kerry
60 Million Displaced Worldwide
According to Secretary Kerry, nearly 60 million men, women and children. The Syrian crisis for one has led to Syrian families fleeing from home and indiscriminate barrel bombings. The worst thing, the crisis has led to young children rescued at sea after days without food and at peril of abuse.
In addition, refugees remain in exile for an average of 17 years. Some are born and grow up in camps and never get to leave them.
US Response To Meeting Refugees’ Basic Needs
As a country committed to help those in need, the US reiterated its commitment to protecting girls, providing quality, education and proper documentation for refugee children.
American donors, aid agencies, and host governments can work together to help children be and feel safer.
The United States is committing millions of dollars for education programs through organizations like UNICEF, UNHCR, UNRWA, and international non-governmental organizations.
In addition, in 2011, the U.S. Department of State launched an initiative to promote women’s equal right to nationality. It seeks legal reforms in the 27 countries where women lack this right, and pushes for registration of all children at birth.
US Responds to Refugee Crisis Around the World
Saying that 2012 was a tough year for humanitarians trying to help displaced people around the world, the Department of State revealed a 2012 report on how US Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration responded to the refugee crisis globally.
Here is how US Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration PRM responded:
In 2012 in Syria, 40,000 people were killed, over 2 million were displaced inside Syria and over half a million people fled to neighboring countries.
The U.S. Government provided $210 million in humanitarian aid to the region and its aid reached millions.
In Africa, in 2012, new refugees fled violence and drought in Northern Mali and fighting in Sudan, and even more displacement in the conflict-ravaged eastern region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The PRM was engaged in emergency response and routinely carried out monitoring and evaluation visits to ensure U.S.-funded aid was well spent and reaching the people who needed it.
In Afghanistan, PRM helped repatriate and reintegrate over 83,000 Afghans who returned home in 2012. The handover of NGO-run health clinics to the Ministry of Health was formalized.
The US supported UNHCR’s Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees, which works with Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to protect refugees until they could return home safely and voluntarily and to find permanent homes for them when they do return.
With regards to refugee resettlement, the three millionth refugee admitted to the United States since 1975 arrived in February 2012.
In the Balkans, with the active support of US embassies in the region, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary David Robinson led efforts to find permanent homes for 74,000 people displaced during the 1991-1995 armed conflicts in the Balkans.
In addition, the PRM led the U.S. delegation to the 45th session of the UN Commission on Population and Development in April and secured a resolution addressing the sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents and youth and their human rights.
The PRM spearheaded a successful effort in the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a resolution on “The Right to a Nationality” for women.
In December 2011, the United States announced an initial contribution of $125 million toward the 2012 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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, Yemen, Nepal, Pakistan, Georgia, South Sudan, Chad, and Kenya. The contributions support UNHCR’s Annual and Supplementary Program activities listed below:
In 2011, the United States ultimately contributed more than $690 million to UNHCR through multiple tranches, a figure which included funding for on-going operations as well as special appeals for emergencies.
The State Department said it continues to salute the vital work of UNHCR, its many NGO partners, and refugee-hosting countries in providing protection to displaced populations around the world.
