U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FACT SHEET
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-43202003-036
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2003
On March 25, 2003, the President submitted a supplemental budget request to Congress totaling $74.7 billion. A significant part of this request is the creation of a new, flexible $2.4 billion account focused on relief and reconstruction for the people of Iraq. This account will fund the provision of food, water, medicine and temporary shelter to the people of Iraq. In addition, the funds will be utilized to repair damaged infrastructure, restore important government services, and rehabilitate schools and hospitals.
This $2.4 billion includes:
- $1.7 billion to support reconstruction;
- $543 million for humanitarian assistance including medical kits, temporary shelter, water bladders and support for the most vulnerable populations, including internally displaced persons; and
- $200 million to replenish accounts drawn down for emergency food stocks.
These funds are in addition to reimbursements for costs already incurred to pre-position relief supplies so that humanitarian needs could be responded to as soon as areas of Iraq are deemed safe for the delivery of aid.
International Assistance Programs
In addition to the above $2.4 billion request, the President has also asked for:
- $5.02 billion to support key coalition partners in the Iraq conflict and in the global war on terrorism;
- $2.4 billion for the Economic Support Fund for Jordan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Egypt and to support educational and economic opportunities in Middle East;
- $150 million for the U.S. Emergency Fund for Complex Foreign Crisis for unforeseen needs, including support for stabilization operations in Iraq;
- $120 million for International Disaster Assistance ($80 million) and the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund ($40 million) to reimburse these accounts for pre-conflict activities; and
- $22 million for USAID operating expenses to cover costs of potential evacuations of USAID personnel, start-up costs for USAID operations in Iraq, and to help cover costs of the USAID Inspector General for auditing relief and reconstruction activities in Iraq.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
For more information on USAID's humanitarian relief efforts in Iraq, please visit www.usaid.gov/iraq/.
|