20 August 2003

U.S. Contributes Additional $62 Million to International Red Cross, August 20, 2003

(U.S. contributions to Red Cross total $139 million in 2003 fiscal year)

In response to emergency appeals by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the United States announced August 20 that it will make an additional contribution of $62 million, bringing its total ICRC contribution for fiscal year 2003 to $139 million.

According to a media note released by the State Department August 20, $10 million of the U.S. contribution is being used to provide humanitarian assistance in Iraq, focusing on essential water and health care services.

The United States is the largest single contributor to the ICRC.

"Our contributions are indicative of our strong support for its crucial role in international humanitarian assistance," the media note said.

Following is the text of the State Department media note:
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 20, 2003

Media Note

U.S. Contributes $62 Million to International Committee of the Red Cross

The United States is pleased to announce an additional contribution of $62 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross. This is the fourth contribution in response to the International Committee of the Red Cross' 2003 emergency appeals for field operations. This brings the U.S. total FY 2003 contribution to date to the International Committee of the Red Cross to $139 million, including $10 million for its work in Iraq.

The International Committee of the Red Cross, a Geneva-based organization, provides protection and humanitarian assistance to over 5,000,000 conflict victims and displaced persons in more than 60 countries worldwide. The International Committee of the Red Cross is often the only international organization allowed to move freely within occupied territories, to cross combatant lines, to access prisoners or detention centers, and to act as an intermediary in prisoner of war exchanges. It is currently a primary international organization providing humanitarian assistance in Iraq, focusing on essential water and health care services. The United States is the largest single contributor to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The U.S. provided more than $125 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross in FY 2002.

The United States has the highest regard for the difficult and often dangerous work of the more than 9,000 International Committee of the Red Cross staff in providing assistance and protection to victims of conflict. Our contributions are indicative of our strong support for its crucial role in international humanitarian assistance.

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