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21 August 2003

U.S. Gives Additional $9.5 Million to Help Afghan Refugees

U.S. aid for Afghan refugees totals $216 million since Sept 2001

To further assist Afghan refugees and returnees, the United States announced it is providing an additional $9.5 million to eight non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"With these contributions, non-governmental organizations will continue to fill critical gaps in the sectors of shelter, health care, water and sanitation, and capacity building," a State Department media note dated August 21 said.

Some of the funding will be used to help Afghan women receive literacy and vocational skills training, as well as maternal and child health care, the media note said.

The media note mentioned that the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration has provided $216 million since September 2001 to assist Afghan refugees and returnees.

"This contribution has enabled the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of over 2 million Afghan refugees since March 2002, while continuing to provide protection and assistance to over 2.5 million refugees remaining in neighboring countries," said the note, urging other donors to provide their share of support.

Following is the text of the State Department media note:

(begin text)

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

For Immediate Release
August 21, 2003
2003/850

Media Note

U.S. Provides Additional $9.5 million to Assist Afghan Refugees and Returnees

The United States is pleased to announce contributions totaling $9.5 million to eight non-governmental organizations for 13 projects that will assist Afghan refugees and returnees. With these contributions, non-governmental organizations will continue to fill critical gaps in the sectors of shelter, health care, water and sanitation, and capacity building. Three of the organizations -- Afghan Center, International Rescue Committee, and Relief International will implement projects to ensure that Afghan women receive literacy and vocational skills training. Two health projects implemented by the International Medical Corps will continue to offer maternal and child health care to newly-returned refugees inside Afghanistan and to Afghan refugees living in camps in Pakistan.

Since September 11, 2001, the Department of State's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration has provided $216 million to support Afghan refugees, returnees, and other conflict victims in Afghanistan and neighboring countries, including over $40 million to non-governmental organizations. The United States has contributed $105 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for its Afghan operations since September 2001. This contribution has enabled the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of over 2 million Afghan refugees since March 2002, while continuing to provide protection and assistance to over 2.5 million refugees remaining in neighboring countries.

The ultimate success of the massive Afghanistan repatriation program depends on the international community's continued generous support for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and its international and non-governmental organization partners. We urge other donors to do their share and support humanitarian organizations undertaking crucial work to support Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons.

(end text)

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

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