Washington, DC - The United States announces $20 million to support efforts by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC) to respond to increased protection, shelter, and other lifesaving assistance throughout Europe, including in Greece, Western Turkey, and the Balkans.
This new funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for the regional response to the refugee and migrant crisis to nearly $44 million since the start of the crisis last year. Today’s announcement includes $17.5 million for UNHCR’s Regional Refugee and Migrant Response Plan for Europe, $2 million for IFRC’s revised Emergency Appeal for Greece, and $500,000 for UNFPA’s Initial Response Plan for Refugee and Migrant Women and Girls in South-Eastern Europe.
Funding announced today will allow UNHCR to provide emergency and life-saving assistance for refugees and migrants, support the creation of adequate reception arrangements and management, enhance protection monitoring, assist authorities with registration and identification of new arrivals, enhance counseling to new arrivals and persons on the move, strengthen public information and advocacy strategies, and enhance communication efforts to inform communities of origin of existing and legal ways to enter Europe. The contribution from the United States also supports IFRC’s work with the Hellenic Red Cross to respond to the needs of some 200,000 people, with a focus on providing basic food and non-food items, first aid and psychosocial support, water and sanitation, as well as family tracing services to migrants and refugees. Funding to UNFPA will assist in helping prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) and address sexual and reproductive health needs for refugees and migrants in Greece by providing rape kits, coordinating and monitoring the capacity of the health system and GBV-related services, and bolstering the technical skills of providers to respond to GBV.
The United States will continue to support those affected by this crisis while working closely with humanitarian organizations and with countries in the region.
