Assistance for Refugees Returning to Afghanistan
Nov. 23: The U.S. is providing over $39 million to meet the needs of Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan, bringing the total U.S. contribution to the Afghan humanitarian response to more than $207 million since the beginning of FY 2016.
Since January 2016, more than 380,000 registered Afghan refugees have returned home to Afghanistan. This funding includes more than $19 million in support for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to help address the urgent needs of these vulnerable individuals, including by providing them with shelter, essential household items, and supplies for winter. The United States is also providing $20 million to the World Food Program’s Afghanistan Emergency Operation targeting vulnerable returnees and refugees in eastern Afghanistan and people displaced by conflict. This response to the World Food Program's recent special appeal for these populations represents enough to serve 548,000 people for nine months.
These vulnerable people urgently need the international community’s assistance and support in the coming winter months. The United States urges all countries to contribute the remaining funds still needed for UN humanitarian appeals for Afghanistan.
Fiscal Year 2016 Refugee Admissions
Oct. 4: In FY 2016, President Obama set a goal of resettling 85,000 refugees, and American communities welcomed 84,995 refugees. The refugees admitted under the program come from 79 countries, with over 70 percent from five countries. The United States is taking the lead in meeting the unprecedented challenge of the global refugee crisis. At the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in September, President Obama brought together world leaders on the margins of the UN General Assembly to galvanize additional humanitarian support, improve educational and access to lawful work for refugees, and expand opportunities for refugee resettlement.
The U.S. resettlement program serves refugees who are especially vulnerable; those who fled violence or persecution and cannot safely stay where they are or return home. It is the largest refugee resettlement program in the world. For each of the past several years the United States has offered 70,000 refugees new homes. In Fiscal Year 2016, President Obama set a new, more ambitious goal: resettling 85,000 refugees. Per the President’s goal, the American communities welcomed 84,995 refugees in Fiscal Year 2016.
The refugees admitted under the program come from 79 countries. Over 70 percent fled five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Burma, Iraq, and Somalia, where protracted conflicts have driven millions from their homes. Over 72 percent of the resettled refugees are women and children. Many are single mothers, survivors of torture, people who need urgent medical treatment, religious minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or intersex (LGBTI) persons, or others imperiled by violence and persecution.
American communities have long been the bedrock of the United States Refugee Admissions Program. The Department of State is proud to work with partners in about 180 cities across 48 states, and that list is expanding in Fiscal Year 2017 as more American communities open their doors to refugees.
The safety and security of the American people is always the top priority. Refugees are screened more carefully than any other type of traveler. Screening includes the participation of the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center, the Departments of State and Defense as well as additional intelligence agencies.
Looking forward, the United States will welcome 110,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2017. This is a 57 percent increase over FY 2015 and is consistent with the belief that all nations must do more to help the record number of innocent civilians who are uprooted, cast adrift, and desperate to find peace, safety and the chance to rebuild their lives.
Top 5 Countries of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Syria, Burma, Iraq, Somalia
Top 5 U.S. States welcoming refugees: California, Texas, New York, Michigan, Ohio
Other Activities
Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Syrian Crisis: Sept. 27: The U.S. is providing more than $364 million in additional humanitarian assistance for those affected by the war in Syria, bringing U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to more than $5.9 billion since the start of the crisis.
Humanitarian Assistance for Lake Chad Basin Region: Sept. 23: The U.S. has announced more than $41 million in additional humanitarian assistance to people affected by the ongoing conflict and severe food insecurity in Nigeria and throughout the Lake Chad Basin region.
Humanitarian Assistance for South Sudan: Sept. 22: The U.S. has announced nearly $133 million in new humanitarian assistance for South Sudanese refugees, who now number over one million, as well as for internally displaced persons in South Sudan.
Humanitarian Assistance for Libya: Sept. 22: The U.S. is providing nearly $6 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Libyan people, bringing total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Libyans to more than $121 million since FY 2012.
Contribution To Support Joint IOM-UNHCR Mechanism: Sept. 16: The U.S. has announced a contribution of $11 million to support the Emerging Resettlement Countries Joint Support Mechanism, a platform established to help countries create robust and sustainable refugee resettlement programs.
Humanitarian Assistance for Iraq Totals Over $1 Billion: Sept. 14: The U.S. is providing more than $181 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people, bringing U.S. humanitarian assistance for Iraqis to nearly $1.1 billion since FY 2014.
Additional Education Funding to UNHCR: Sept. 9: The U.S. has announced a contribution of nearly $37 million of humanitarian assistance toward the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to support critical education gaps for refugees in 16 countries.
Additional Humanitarian Aid for Yemen: Aug. 25: The U.S. has announced nearly $189 million in additional humanitarian assistance in response to the crisis in Yemen, bringing total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Yemen to more than $327 million in fiscal year 2016.
Additional Funding for Kenya and Somalia: Aug. 22: The U.S. has announced that it is providing more than $146 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support refugees, voluntary returnees, and drought victims in Kenya and Somalia. Fact Sheet» Secretary's
World Humanitarian Day 2016: Secretary Kerry (Aug. 19): "On this day we honor humanitarians, both those who have lost their lives in their efforts to aid and protect the most vulnerable people on earth, and those who continue to brave violence and hardship." (13)