U.S. Contributes $125 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

February 12, 2011

The United States is pleased to announce an initial contribution of $125 million toward the 2011 operations of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). 

The contribution, funded through the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, will support UNHCR efforts worldwide.  These efforts include refugee returns to such places as Afghanistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo; local integration and resettlement; and protection and life-saving assistance.  U.S. funding supports the provision of water, shelter, food, healthcare, and education to refugees, internally displaced persons, and other persons under UNHCR's care and protection in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Colombia, Ecuador, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, Sudan, Chad, Kenya, and Uganda.

The contribution will directly support UNHCR's Annual and Supplementary Program activities as indicated below.  

Africa                                     $  46.25  million
Asia and Pacific                        $  17.25  million
Europe                                    $    4.0    million
Global Operations                      $    4.2    million
Middle East                              $  42.5    million
Headquarters                           $    4.1    million
Western Hemisphere                  $    2.5    million
Emergency Response activities    $    4.2    million

TOTAL                                    $ 125.0   million

We note that this year is the 60th anniversary of the Refugee Convention and the 50th anniversary of the Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.  December 2010 also marked the 60th anniversary of the creation of UNHCR. 

We salute the vital and courageous work of UNHCR, its many NGO partners, and refugee hosting countries in providing protection to vulnerable refugees around the world.