U.S. Contributes Additional Support for Winterization Assistance in Afghanistan

The United States is pleased to announce an additional contribution of $300,000 to provide vulnerable Afghans in Kabul with shelter materials, fuel, stoves and blankets. We are also pleased that the U.S. National Ski Association in Denver has donated 4,600 winter parkas and 400 ski pants for vulnerable Afghans. Due to the joint efforts of the Departments of Defense and State, the two planeloads of winter clothing are in transit and are expected to arrive in Afghanistan soon for distribution to needy Afghans.

The contributions will supplement the ongoing efforts of the Kabul Winterization Task Force, consisting of the Afghan government, UN agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to coordinate the provision of assistance to thousands of vulnerable persons in Kabul this winter.

Earlier this month, the U.S. contributed nearly $2 million to non-governmental organizations to provide emergency winterization assistance to the most vulnerable Afghans in Kabul.

Last year, the United States contributed a total of $23 million to non-governmental organizations to provide winterization assistance to thousands of Afghan refugee families and other vulnerable persons who returned to both urban and rural areas of Afghanistan. Also, in 2002, part of the U.S. contribution of $67 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), was used to provide shelter kits to 40,000 of the most needy Afghan refugee families who returned home.

The United States believes that humanitarian assistance for refugees, displaced persons, conflict victims and other persons at risk and the pursuit of solutions for humanitarian crises are a shared international responsibility and calls on other donors to strengthen their efforts in support of the Winterization Task Force.