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Press Statement
Richard Boucher
Spokesman Washington, DC

April 13, 2004

U.S. Contributes $19.5 Million in Humanitarian Assistance for the Liberian People

The United States is pleased to announce an additional contribution of $19.5 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Liberia. This funding is part of the U.S. pledge of $200 million in assistance made at the recent International Conference on Reconstruction for Liberia.

This contribution is designed to provide for the on-going humanitarian needs of the Liberian people, and responds directly to requests in the 2004 United Nations Consolidated Appeal for Liberia (CAP) and the 2004 International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Emergency Appeal for Africa. The U.S. funds will be distributed as follows:

* $11 million for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to support repatriation and reintegration of Liberian returnees and internally displaced persons.

* $4.5 million for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for essential medical services, water and sanitation programs, family reunification, and distribution of household relief items.

* $2.4 million for the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF) to maintain water, sanitation and hygiene services at eight way stations for returning refugees and internally displaced persons.

* $1 million International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide safe transport for returning refugees and internally displaced persons.

* $600,000 for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to provide quick-impact rehabilitation programs in Liberia s five worst conflict-affected areas.

We are pleased to provide these contributions in recognition of both the existing needs of the Liberian people, and the strong performance of UN agencies and ICRC in responding to the humanitarian crisis in the country.

These funds are in addition to our initial contributions in fiscal year 2004 of $58 million to UNHCR and $35.5 million to ICRC for programs in Africa, some of which also benefits victims of Liberia s lengthy conflict.