INTERNATIONAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE

The International Disaster Assistance program provides relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance to victims of natural and man-made disasters through the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). The International Disaster Assistance account also funds activities of the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI), which focuses on the special needs of countries emerging from crises caused by political and ethnic conflict. The FY 2001 funding request of $220 million is an increase of $18 million over the $202 million level in FY 2000. The FY 2001 request includes $165 million for disaster relief and mitigation activities and $55 million for innovative, post-crisis transition initiatives. The first priority in utilizing International Disaster Assistance resources will be given to life-saving, emergency assistance.