At an event marking the World Refugee Day, the United States of America today underscored its commitment to protect and assist refugees around the world.
In her remarks today at DC, US Secretary of State Hillalry Rodham Clinton says the United States offers resettlement to more refugees each year than all other countries in the world combined.
“The United States joins the international community in commemorating the courage and determination of millions of refugees around the globe.” -Ms. Clinton
UN Photo
She notes that Since 1975, more than three million refugees have made new homes in the United States, and nearly half of them have become U.S. citizens.
She says refugees are contributing in ways large and small to business, academia, the arts, science and technology.
“Today we celebrate the success of refugees who have built new lives here and in other resettlement countries, but we also recognize the millions of refugees who remain displaced in camps, cities, and rural settlements around the world.” -Ms. Clinton
The United States is proud to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the many other organizations that work on behalf of refugees worldwide.
She calls on all stated recommit themselves to provide protection and assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
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).
This year’s initial contribution funded through the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, will support UNHCR efforts worldwide. This funding includes support for refugee returns to countries such as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo; 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, Yemen, Nepal, Pakistan, Georgia, South Sudan, Chad, and Kenya. The contribution will 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. We continue to salute the vital work of UNHCR, its many NGO partners, and refugee-hosting countries in providing protection to displaced populations around the world.
