U.S. Makes Initial $69 Million Contribution to Assist Refugees
$4 million to be used for third-country resettlement

The United States is making an initial contribution of $69 million to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its programs in 2003, the State Department announced on December 31.

The U.S. made a total initial pledge of $125 million to UNHCR on December 3 in Geneva, the State Department said, and the balance is expected to be paid early in the new year. Funds are allocated to every region of the world, with $4 million designated to assist UNHCR in third-country resettlement programs.

The United States contributes approximately 25 percent of UNHCR's annual budget.

Following is the text of a December 31 Media Note from the State Department:

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Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Department of State
Washington, D.C.
December 31, 2002

U.S. Contributes an Initial $69 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The United States is pleased to announce an initial $69 million contribution to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for its 2003 Annual Programs. This contribution will allow the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, which is the lead U.N. agency responsible for protection and assistance of the world's refugees, to provide assistance to refugees and other persons of concern during the early months of 2003.

Sixty-five million dollars is part of the U.S. Government's $125 million initial 2003 pledge to U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees announced in Geneva on December 3, 2002. The remaining $60 million is expected to be contributed early next year.

Four million dollars of the $69 million funding is to enhance UNHCR's capacity to use resettlement as a tool for the protection of refugees and as a durable solution for those who are in need of third country resettlement.

The U.S Government's $69 million contribution to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees will be allocated as follows:

-- Africa $30 million
-- East Asia $2 million
-- Europe $11 million
-- Western Hemisphere $2 million
-- South Asia $7 million
-- Near East $1 million
-- Global Operations/Headquarters/Operational Reserve $12 million
-- Funds to assist in the resettlement of refugees $4 million

The U.S. contribution to UNHCR's annual budget is the largest of any donor state, approximately 25 percent each year. We urge other donors to do their share and support UNHCR's crucial work.

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