U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Statement by Adam Ereli, Deputy Spokesman
March 22, 2005

U.S. Contributes $107 Million to the International Committee of the Red Cross

The United States is pleased to announce an initial contribution of $107.4 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross in support of its 2005 Emergency Appeals.

The International Committee of the Red Cross provides protection and humanitarian assistance throughout the world in areas of armed conflict. In more than 60 countries, the International Committee of the Red Cross assists and protects more than 5,000,000 conflict victims and displaced persons. The International Committee of the Red Cross is often the only international organization allowed to move freely within occupied territories, to cross combatant lines, to access prisoners or detention centers, and to act as an intermediary in prisoner of war exchanges. The United States is the largest single contributor to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The United States has the highest regard for the difficult and often dangerous work of the International Committee of the Red Cross' staff of over 9,000 in providing assistance and protection to victims of conflict. Our contributions are indicative of our strong support for its crucial role in international humanitarian assistance.