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Burundi + 4 more

U.S. contributes $203.8 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Sean McCormack, Spokesman
Washington, DC
The United States is pleased to announce an initial contribution of $203.8 million toward the 2006 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, presented this contribution to High Commissioner Antonio Guterres in a meeting in Geneva today in which they discussed key refugee issues.

Of the $203.8 million, $200 million directly supports UNHCR's Annual Program activities as indicated below. This funding will allow UNHCR to aid approximately 19 million refugees and other persons of concern.

- Africa: $104.0 million

- Central Asia/Southwest Asia/North Africa/Middle East: $ 25.5 million

- Europe: $ 18.0 million

- Asia and Pacific: $ 10.5 million

- Western Hemisphere: $ 6.5 million

- Global Operations: $ 15.0 million

- Headquarters: $ 16.0 million

- Operational Reserve activities: $ 4.5 million

In addition, $3.8 million will support UNHCR efforts to strengthen it refugee protection capacity overseas.

The protection and care of refugees and victims of conflict in places such as Chad, Burundi, Pakistan and Colombia and the pursuit of durable solutions for them are shared international responsibilities. The United States is the single largest donor country to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, doing our part to protect and assist refugees throughout the world. We urge other donors to strengthen their efforts in support of the programs of the UNHCR.

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