25 October 2001
Fact Sheet: Humanitarian Aid to the Afghan People as of 10/24
(Issued by State's Office of International Information Programs)
(1000)
(begin fact sheet)
This fact sheet outlines the efforts as of October 24, 2001, to
provide relief assistance to the Afghan people while the United States
and its allies conduct military operations against the Al Qaida
terrorists and the Taliban regime which shelters them in Afghanistan.
The U.S. Leads International Relief Aid to Afghans
-- The United States leads the international community in providing
relief aid to the Afghan people inside their country and in the
refugee populations in the border areas of neighboring countries.
-- More than 80 percent of all food shipments sent to Afghanistan
through the United Nations' World Food Program (WFP) originates in the
U.S.
-- Some 34 U.S. non-governmental relief organizations are engaged in
providing humanitarian relief to the Afghan people.
-- America has resolved to remain the leading food donor to the Afghan
people.
A Tradition of Humanitarian Aid to Afghans
-- The United States has been providing humanitarian assistance to the
people of Afghanistan for many years. The U.S and Japan were the
leading contributors to the umbrella UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Assistance to Afghanistan when it was established in
1988. At that time, the major focus was on eliminating an estimated 10
million land-mines which littered the Afghan landscape and barred
efforts to help Afghanistan's reconstruction and development.
-- In the early 1990s, the U.S. became a major contributor to the UN
Development Program (UNDP), which sought to implement an ambitious
plan for the rehabilitation of Afghanistan.
-- But two decades of internecine war, three years of severe drought,
and five years of Taliban misrule have created a humanitarian crisis
in which Afghans face starvation. Millions have have fled to several
neighboring countries.
-- In early October, the U.S. stepped up the level of its humanitarian
aid to Afghanistan. On October 4, President Bush announced the
allocation of an additional $320 million for more food and more
medicine to help the innocent people of Afghanistan deal with the
coming winter. "This," said the president, "is our way of saying that
while we firmly and strongly oppose the Taliban regime, we are friends
of the Afghan people."
Food for Afghans Delivered by Air and Over Land
-- As the U.S.-led coalition forces maintain their military operations
in Afghanistan, the United States presses on with its enhanced
humanitarian aid to suffering Afghans inside the country and in the
border areas of neighboring countries.
-- President Bush and Defense Secretary Rumsfeld have repeatedly
emphasized that humanitarian aid is another major goal of the U.S.
military action to uproot the terrorists and make their sponsors in
Afghanistan pay a heavy price.
-- By October 24, teams of Air Force C-17s have airdropped a total of
over 770,000 humanitarian daily rations (HDR) for Afghans facing
starvation, according to the Defense Department.
-- Contrary to Taliban disinformation, these packets contain balanced
and nourishing meals prepared carefully to provide Afghans with
adequate dietary rations, plus medical supplements. The Taliban's
reported destruction of some of these packets demonstrates the brutal
nature of that regime and its wanton disregard for the survival and
well-being of the Afghan people.
-- As soon as the U.S. forces secured dominance of the skies in
Afghanistan the week of October 7, food deliveries over land were
resumed. Today, overland food convoys are operating, battling tough
terrain, reported looting by Taliban elements, and mountain roads
blocked by snow. (WFP is buying 16 snowplows to clear roads, while
USAID is studying plans for possible airlifts, and the use of mules to
deliver food supplies).
-- In the last few days, the WFP, which receives large contributions
from the U.S., has increased its food deliveries to Afghanistan from
200 metric tons (MT) a day to 900 MTs, according to WFP Executive
Director Bertini on October 24.
-- Bertini expressed confidence that the deliveries could be
significantly increased. "In the next ten days," she noted, "we expect
to deliver 16,000 tons if all goes well."
-- Food deliveries will continue, and the international community aims
to transport nearly 400,000 tons of food into Afghanistan over the
next year, American and UN sources say.
U.S. Commitment to Helping the Afghan People is Unshakable
-- The United States has been the single largest donor of humanitarian
aid for Afghans for the past several years. In 2000, the United States
contributed a total of $113 million in humanitarian aid to Afghans,
both inside Afghanistan and in refugee camps in neighboring countries.
In 2001, the aid level has already exceeded $184, accounting for some
300,000 tons of food sent to Afghanistan this year.
-- On October 4, President Bush announced a new contribution of $320
million in humanitarian assistance to Afghans. This assistance
includes food, medicine, blankets and shelter.
-- On October 22, the U.S. announced an additional contribution of $10
million to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to assist
Afghan refugees fleeing to neighboring countries. This brings U.S.
contribution to the UNHCR to $14 million to date. These contributions
are part of the $320 million announced by President Bush October 4.
-- And on October 24, USAID awarded $26.5 million in grants to assist
the people of Afghanistan. The grants are for medical supplies,
shelter, and winterization assistance, water/sanitation projects,
complementary foods such as cooking oil, and logistical support,
according to a USAID press release.
-- These funds were budgeted before September 11 and are not part of
the $320 million allocation.
-- U.S. humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people derives from a
somber awareness of the plight of the Afghan people and a genuine
concern to help them in their time of need and adversity.
-- This concern is the reason why the United States has led the
international aid effort for Afghanistan, why the United States has
supplied more than 80 percent of all food sent to vulnerable Afghans
through the UN's World Food Program, and why the United States is
committed to remain the leading food donor to the Afghan people.
(end fact sheet)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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