Refugees International Calls for Emergency Supplemental Submission to Congress to Support Humanitarian Needs 

Statement from Refugees International Senior Director of Government Relations and Senior Policy Advisor Ann Hollingsworth:  

“Refugees International supports an emergency supplemental submission to Congress that would include support for humanitarian needs. With moderate toplines in the Senate Fiscal Year 2024 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs bill and a slashing in the House version, an emergency supplemental is urgently needed.  

At a time when UNHCR released that global displacement numbers have surpassed108 million, assistance that is critical to humane and orderly management of this crisis cannot and should not be cut. The U.S. leadership role in both funding and humanitarian diplomacy, through local organizations, NGOs, and multilateral support, remains critical. And continued attacks on funding for reproductive healthcare, notably prohibiting U.S. funding to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and funding cuts for climate change initiatives and international organizations is counterproductive and weakens U.S. leadership on global challenges.  

Such drastic cuts to overseas assistance at this time of unprecedented global need are irresponsible. While the Fiscal Year 2024 process remains unresolved, if such cuts were implemented the impact on the most vulnerable populations would be devastating.  From new humanitarian crises, including Sudan, and longstanding protracted displacement crises such as Syria, U.S. support remains a linchpin of global humanitarian action – and it also spurs other donors to do more. Now is no time to back down.” 

To schedule an interview, please contact Refugees International’s Vice President for Strategic Outreach Sarah Sheffer at ssheffer@refugeesinternational.org.