United States Contributes in Assistance for Displaced Iraqis

The U.S. government remains committed to working with the people and government of Iraq to provide assistance to and identify durable solutions for displaced Iraqis.  As part of this ongoing effort, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration Eric P. Schwartz announced on May 8, 2011, in Baghdad that the United States is contributing an additional $51.5 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other international organizations to provide assistance to displaced Iraqis, including both refugees and internally displaced persons.  This fiscal year the United States has contributed a total of $114.9 million to assist displaced Iraqis. This $51.5 million contribution will support the voluntary return and reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons within Iraq through activities such as home rehabilitation, repair of water and sanitation systems, employment services and Protection Assistance Centers, in collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Displacement and Migration.  Additional U.S. contributions are anticipated before the fiscal year ends on September 30, 2011. Our humanitarian assistance is part of the United States commitment to the Strategic Framework Agreement with the Government of Iraq.  Since 2007, the U.S. government has provided more than $1.3 billion in assistance to Iraqi refugees, internally displaced persons and conflict victims, and we are committed to continuing to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced Iraqis as the U.S. military withdraws from Iraq.