The United States Pledges $125 Million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

Statement Presented by
Deputy Chief of Mission Lynn Cassel
to the UNHCR Pledging Conference

Geneva
December 10, 2004

Mr. Chairman,

Today is Human Rights Day, on which we commemorate the 56th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrined and universally recognized the principles of equality and justice through law. Our commemoration affirms our commitment to these principles.

The Convention on the Status of Refugees, to whose implementation we pledge our support today, is connected to the Universal Declaration by applying its human rights protections to those who, because of a well-founded fear of persecution, cannot avail themselves of the protection of their governments - in other words, to refugees.

The United States recognizes the importance of providing UN HCR with early contributions to ensure that its program to protect and assist refugees is not interrupted. I am, therefore, pleased to be here today to express the U.S. Government's support for the 2005 Annual Program of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and to pledge an initial contribution of $125 million. Additional contributions will follow, and we will strive to provide our fair share of UNHCR's annual budget again in 2005.

The majority of our funding will be provided at the regional and sub-regional level as in past years. Country and functional earmarks will be made early in the year, with functional earmarks reflecting particular priorities of the United States such as emergency response, refugee women and children, registration, and HIV/AIDS.

The United States strongly supports a shared multilateral commitment to the protection and care of refugees and others of concern to UNHCR. UNHCR is a key partner in critical international humanitarian activities in Chad, West Africa, Afghanistan, and elsewhere in the world. Multilateralism is vital to ensuring a successful humanitarian response, and it should be our guiding principle. Only through a concerted and coordinated approach can we maximize taxpayers' money, avoid duplication of effort, and work together as true global partners for the benefit of refugees and other persons of concern around the world. We encourage donors to join us in supporting a multilateral approach, and in providing UNHCR with early and flexible funding.

While we call on donors to support UNHCR efforts, we call on UNHCR to put forward its best effort. We recognize recent steps by UNHCR to improve its financial and human resources management; to adopt a modern, comprehensive refugee registration system; to increase the use of resettlement as a durable solution; and to enhance its protection capacity on the ground. We call on UNHCR to do more in this regard, and to
pay greater attention to the issue of oversight and accountability, and its emergency response capacity.

Two months ago at the Executive Committee meeting, Member States approved the 2005 Annual Program budget of $982 million. We all recognize that this budget does not reflect the totality of refugee needs. While we recognize the improbability of funding a needs-based budget, we should know what the totality of refugee needs, so that we can fill gaps when possible. We understand that the 2006 Country Operations Plan will instruct UNHCR country offices to perform an assessment of refugee needs. We call on UNHCR offices to give their best effort in this regard, and for headquarters to share the results with the Executive Committee.

We take this opportunity to commend the staff of UNHCR for their dedication and hard work, which is often carried out in very difficult circumstances.

Finally, we are pleased, once again, to acknowledge the contribution of the many States who have pledged their help to refugees by granting them refuge in their countries, particularly those that face development challenges for their own populations. We express special gratitude to countries that go a step further and provide refugees with opportunities for self-sufficiency, which allow refugees to contribute to the society in which they reside.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.