On World Refugee Day, the United States joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and international partners to honor the resilience of millions of refugees who have fled their homes due to persecution and conflict.
The global displacement crisis has reached unprecedented levels, prompting a call for new actors, including governments, international financial institutions, and the private sector, to assist in addressing it. The United States continues to lead in providing humanitarian aid and working towards political solutions to conflicts causing displacement.
"The United States provides more humanitarian assistance than any other single country worldwide, including to refugees," stated Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State. In fiscal year 2017 alone, the U.S. contributed over $8 billion in humanitarian aid, covering food, shelter, healthcare, education, and vocational training for millions affected by crises globally. This support is offered close to refugees' homes to enable their safe return when possible.
The U.S. was among the first donors to respond to the Rakhine State crisis with nearly $204 million in aid since August 2017 for displaced individuals in Burma and Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the U.S. government remains a leading donor with nearly $277 million provided since October 2016 to support 4.5 million displaced people within the country and over 700,000 Congolese refugees regionally.
The commitment extends to Syria as well. Since the onset of its crisis, nearly $8.1 billion has been allocated by the U.S. for those displaced inside Syria and surrounding areas.
Since 1975, over 3.3 million refugees have been resettled permanently in the United States—more than any other nation globally. The U.S. will continue prioritizing vulnerable refugee admissions while ensuring national security.
Through humanitarian diplomacy and efforts aimed at resolving conflicts and finding lasting solutions for persecuted individuals worldwide, "we will continue to help the world’s most vulnerable refugees," reflecting American values.