Nicholas Hill
Deputy U.S. Representative to ECOSOC
New York, New York
October 29, 2021
AS DELIVERED
Thanks very much. I’d like to start with a question for High Commissioner Grandi: How is UNHCR engaging with host governments and development partners to integrate internally displaced persons into national development policies and plans to reinforce self-reliance and durable solutions?
The United States remains committed to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to the record number of forcibly displaced persons around the world. In 2021 alone, the United States provided nearly $13 billion in humanitarian assistance, including nearly $1.9 billion to UNHCR.
We support UNHCR’s efforts to promote burden-sharing. To this end, the United States plans to admit up to 125,000 refugees in Fiscal Year 2022, and has pledged $4 billion dollars to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to ensure equitable delivery of effective vaccines through the COVAX facility.
The United States calls upon all member states to expand opportunities for resettlement, local integration, and, where safe and appropriate, voluntary repatriation.
This year posed significant humanitarian challenges, including the ongoing effects of COVID-19. The ability of UNHCR and its partners to “stay and deliver” assistance despite these challenges is commendable.
In the face of unprecedented need, we commit to strengthening our collaboration with UNHCR and its partners and call upon all member states to do the same.
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