HHS Fact Sheet

Repatriation Program for Americans Returning from Lebanon

The Federal government�s repatriation program is run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program assists with the reception, temporary care and onward transportation of American citizens to their final destinations.

The U.S. Department of State first identifies individuals who are eligible for repatriation from abroad due to destitution, illness, war, threat of war or a similar crisis. The State Department is responsible for the transportation of such individuals to American soil. Once individuals arrive, ACF/ORR is responsible for working with state, local, and non-profit partners, such as the American Red Cross, to provide a host of services.

On July 19, ACF/ORR and its partners began serving repatriated Americans returning to the U.S. from Lebanon. Each repatriation site is staffed by several dozen staff and volunteers. The effort is designed to provide necessary services to eligible individuals after they clear Customs in the United States.

Services may include:

• Medical Care: Physicians, pharmacists, paramedics, counselors and nurses are on site to provide assistance to anyone in need;
• Temporary Lodging: Temporary accommodations are arranged and provided for those who lack the resources to pay for them and shuttle vans or buses are provided for travel to identified accommodation;
• Transportation: Individuals are assisted in booking flight and rail reservations to ensure they arrive at their final destinations safely and efficiently;
• Cash Payments: Individuals in need are provided small amounts of cash to meet shortfalls in paying for specific items;
• Other Goods and Services: Food, water, clothing, toiletries, communications and other products and services are provided as needed.

Flights, locations, arrivals:

ACF, working with relevant states, has been serving individuals arriving from Lebanon into Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

As of July 27, approximately 10,000 Americans returning from Lebanon have arrived at these four airports. A total of approximately 12,000 Americans are expected. Fifty-six flights have arrived so far. The entire program will involve a total of 61 flights.

Funding:

On July 26, the U.S. Congress passed legislation raising the $1 million cap on repatriation funding to $6 million for fiscal year 2006. On July 27, the President signed this legislation into law.

Additional information:

For more information on HHS� repatriation program, go to: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/programs/repatrit.htm.

###

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: July 28, 2006