FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ambassador Nikki Haley, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, met today with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Ambassador Haley and Secretary-General Guterres discussed the United States’ new policy to bolster support for persecuted religious minorities around the world, especially those who have been victims of atrocities committed by ISIS. Ambassador Haley explained that the United States intends to direct‎ a portion of its contributions to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to assist these communities, especially Christians and Yezidis in Iraq. Ambassador Haley asked for the Secretary-General’s assistance in implementing the Administration’s new policy by prioritizing assistance to persecuted religious minorities. The Secretary-General welcomed the opportunity to work with Ambassador Haley on this priority.

“The American initiative to move more funds into devastated religious minority communities in Iraq could not be more timely. ISIS has done so much damage to these ancient civilizations. Now we have the opportunity to help people return to their communities, and U.S. organizations on the ground are eager to help. We must make sure our resources are directed in the most effective ways,” said Ambassador Haley.

Ambassador Haley reiterated that the United States continues to be the world’s humanitarian leader and that providing life-saving assistance to the world’s most vulnerable, including ethnic and religious minorities, remains a core value of the U.S. commitment to humanitarian aid.