U.S. Contributes An Additional $15 Million To Assist Afghan Conflict Victims

The United States is pleased to announce a contribution of $15 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for its 2003 Supplementary Program for Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons. This contribution will help the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees continue to provide protection and emergency and reintegration assistance to millions of Afghan returnees, refugees, and internally displaced persons. As part of an earlier, initial $65 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ 2003 programs, the United States contributed $6 million to support the programs benefiting Afghan refugees.

In 2002, the U.S. contributed more than $67 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for its Afghan operations, the largest contribution of any donor state. Most of those funds were used to assist in the repatriation and reintegration of 1.8 million Afghan refugees and internally-displaced persons, one of the largest refugee repatriations in the last 30 years.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that it will facilitate the return and reintegration of at least another 1.2 million Afghan refugees and 300,000 internally displaced persons in 2003.

The massive repatriation operation in 2002 was possible only with the support of the United States and the rest of the international community. Continued success, likewise, depends on the sustained generous support of the international community. We urge other donors to do their share and support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in its crucial work to assist Afghan refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons.