Congresswoman Barbara Lee Applauds Decision to Direct $20 Million Emergency Funding for Humanitarian Relief in Gaza
For Immediate Release
January 30, 2009
Contact: Nicole Y. Williams
(202) 225-2661
Oakland, CA – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9), released this statement in response to President Barack Obama’s decision to authorize $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address critical post-conflict humanitarian needs in Gaza.
“I applaud President Obama’s decision to authorize $20.3 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) Fund to address critical post-conflict humanitarian needs in Gaza. My colleagues and I recently sent a letter to the Administration requesting this authorization of emergency funding, as the situation in Gaza is dire and requires urgent attention and immediate action.
“Specifically, I am pleased that the authorization includes $13.5 million for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), $6 million to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and $800,000 to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The emergency funding authorized by the President will enable these organizations to continue their humanitarian activities in Gaza, including distributing emergency food assistance, providing medical assistance and temporary shelter, creating temporary employment, and restoring access to electricity and potable water.
I look forward to working with President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton to ensure that humanitarian needs in Gaza are addressed.”