United States Contributes $35.9 Million to ICRC for
Emergency Situations Around the Globe

July 27, 2001

The United States will contribute $35,900,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross in support of the ICRC's 2001 Emergency Appeals and Budget Extension Appeals.

James B. Foley, Chargé d'Affairs Ad Interim of the United States Mission to the United Nations in Geneva confirmed the new U.S. contribution in a July 27 letter to ICRC President Jacob Kellenberger.

The new funds bring the total U.S. contribution to ICRC during fiscal year 2001 (October 1, 2000 to September 30, 2001) to $115,450,269. The United States is the largest single donor to the ICRC, which is funded by direct voluntary contributions.

Over half of the new funding -- $18.2 million -- is slated for activities in Africa, including $2.1 million for ICRC activities in Burundi.

Activities related to the crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and activities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are priority areas for use of the $9.2 million allocated for ICRC activities in Europe.

The funds are allocated as follows:

Activities in Africa $18,200,000
Of this amount, at least $2,100,000 is allocated to support ICRC activities in Burundi

Activities in Europe $9,200,000
The letter specifies that that activities related to the crisis in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia should be a "priority area" and that at least $1,600,000 should be used to support ICRC activities in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Activities in the Near East $2,900,000
At least $500,000 should be used to support ICRC activities in Israel, the Occupied Territories and the Autonomous Territories.

Activities in the Western Hemisphere $2,700,000
At least $1,5000,000 should be used to support ICRC activities in Columbia.

Activities in East Asia $1,900,000

Activities in South Asia $1,000,000
At least $500,000 should be used to support ICRC activities in Afghanistan.