United States Announces $18 Million in Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Ukraine Crisis
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
May 27, 2015
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Simon Henshaw announced May 23 in
Kyiv that the United States is providing $18 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to help those affected
by Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea. With this new funding, total U.S. humanitarian assistance since the
start of the crisis will reach more than $61 million.
The United States remains concerned by the growing humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine, particularly in areas
occupied by combined Russian-separatist forces, and the limits on assistance agencies’ response due to the underfunding
of humanitarian appeals. More than five million people in Ukraine are in need of aid, according to the UN, including 1.2
million internally displaced persons. Single-headed households, the disabled, and the elderly are particularly
vulnerable. Civilians’ freedom of movement and the inability of international humanitarian organizations to access
individuals in need of assistance are also greatly concerning.
We call on all those involved in the conflict in eastern Ukraine to facilitate the quick and safe movement of civilian
populations as they seek to cross the ceasefire line. We call on Ukraine, Russia, and the separatists it backs, to fully
implement the February Minsk implementation plan, particularly to allow international humanitarian organizations
unhindered access to persons affected by conflict, and thereby ensure safe access, delivery, storage, and distribution
of humanitarian assistance. We urge progress in the Trilateral Contact Group working groups, which will facilitate
implementation of the Minsk agreements and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The $18 million from the Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration will support the activities
of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). This funding will support efforts to meet the most critical protection and
assistance needs of persons affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine, including the provision of food, hygiene items,
medical supplies, and essential household items such as blankets, plastic sheeting, and construction materials to repair
homes. This funding will also support the prevention of and response to gender-based violence and improved access to
health care services.
ENDS