USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah announces additional humanitarian aid in response to violence in Syria while visiting a refugee camp in Amman, Jordan on September 5, 2012. [Go to http://video.state.gov for more video and text transcript.]

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 5, 2012

The United States remains deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis caused by violence in Syria. Over 100,000 refugees have flooded into neighboring countries in the month of August, stretching host country capacity. We commend the generosity of Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq in assisting approximately 240,000 Syrians who have fled.

About the Author: Robert S. Ford serves as U.S. Ambassador to Syria.

During my tenure in Syria, my main focus was strengthening the relationship between the American and Syrian people. During this difficult, violent, and dangerous time in Syria’s history, the American people are proud to support your transition to democracy, an ongoing process which we began a mere 236 years ago.

Through the U.S. government, they have also provided over $52 million to humanitarian assistance efforts for Syrian people suffering from the ongoing violence inside Syria and for those who have fled the violence and are now in neighboring countries. I know that this assistance does not meet all the needs for those who are suffering, but we will continue to provide assistance throughout this difficult period to as many Syrians in need as possible.

Here is the breakdown of the humanitarian aid:

- $16.5 million to the World Food Program… more »

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. on June 11, 2012. A text transcript can be found at http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2012/06/192149.htm.

About the Author: Ambassador David T. Killion serves as U.S. Permanent Representative to UNESCO.

Next week I am going to a meeting in Switzerland for SESAME, which I happen to think is the most exciting and revolutionary scientific undertaking that practically nobody outside of the scientific community has ever heard of.

What is it and why do I think it is so radical and so important?

The first question is easy.

SESAME actually stands for ‘Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East’ and will be the region’s first major multi-country scientific research center. It’s being developed under the auspices of UNESCO and is scheduled to open fully in Jordan in 2015. When it is completed, SESAME will be the Middle East’s only source of so-called “high intensity synchrotron X-rays,” key building blocks for research into biology,… more »

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 30, 2012

Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) Anne C. Richard will travel to Switzerland, Iraq, and Jordan from May 1 – 10, 2012.

In Geneva, Assistant Secretary Richard will lead the U.S. delegation at the International Conference on the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees to support voluntary repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries. Through a unique quadripartite consultative process, the Islamic Republics of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan and UNHCR have agreed on a multi-year regional strategy to address assistance to Afghan refugees and returnees, including nearly three million Afghan refugees who continue to be generously hosted by Pakistan and Iran and those Afghan refugees who choose to voluntarily return to Afghanistan. Assistant Secretary Richard will also meet with officials of various international humanitarian organizations to discuss relevant humanitarian issues.

In Iraq, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Iraqi officials and representatives from international organizations and non-governmental organizations responsible for assisting internally displaced Iraqis and Iraqi returnees.

In Jordan, Assistant Secretary Richard will meet with Government of Jordan, international and non-governmental officials to discuss policy and program issues regarding displaced Syrians in Jordan, and Iraqi and Palestinian refugees. She will also preside over the ground-breaking for a new school for Palestinian refugees.

For more information, please contact Deborah Sisbarro at 202-453-9339, or PRM-Press-DL@state.gov.

About the Author: Marianne Craven serves as Managing Director for Academic Programs in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

A few weeks ago, Fulbright Program administrators from across the Middle East and North Africa convened in Jordan with their U.S.-based colleagues for a dynamic three-day workshop. The Binational Fulbright Commission in Jordan, led by Executive Director Alain McNamara and supported by the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, hosted us.

Together with representatives from regional Fulbright Commissions, U.S. embassies and non-governmental partners, we reviewed academic exchange priorities, shared information and best practices, and addressed issues and challenges faced by theFulbright Program… more »

Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 30, 2012

The United States is pursuing every avenue to get humanitarian relief to those affected by the violence in Syria and is engaged in focused diplomatic efforts to secure full and unfettered access for humanitarian organizations to reach those in need. The United States is providing an additional $8 million in humanitarian assistance to support the people of Syria, bringing the total amount of U.S. emergency aid to nearly $33 million to date for this crisis. Our assistance is through international and non-governmental humanitarian partners, including:

• $10.5 million to the World Food Program (WFP);
• $8.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR);
• $7.8 million to non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
• $3 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA); and
• $3 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

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