The following State Department Media Note was released in Washington, D.C. on February 11, 2003

U.S. Department of State
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
February 11, 2003

U.S. CONTRIBUTES $19.8 MILLION TO INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

 

Media Note

The United States is pleased to announce a new 2003 contribution of $19.8 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. This initial contribution is in response to International Committee of the Red Cross 2003 emergency appeals for field operations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, a Geneva-based organization, 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.

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