August 27, 2021

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Releases Statement on USAID’s Announcement of Additional Humanitarian Support for Haiti

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for State Department and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement upon USAID’s announcement of additional humanitarian support for Haiti:

“As Chair of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I was pleased to see Thursday’s announcement from USAID of $32 million in International Disaster Assistance (IDA) to assist with the humanitarian response in Haiti.  These resources are available because of the committed work of this subcommittee to support humanitarian and development investments in Haiti. 

“Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked with my colleagues to support the Haitian people and have visited Haiti several times.  The United States must remain committed to support the Haitian people as they rebuild their country and seek a new, inclusive political consensus.”

On Thursday, USAID announced $32 million in humanitarian assistance for Haiti as the Agency continues to lead the U.S. government response to the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on August 14.  The funding is intended to support humanitarian partners delivering urgently-needed aid, including health care services, emergency shelter and food, safe drinking water, hygiene and sanitation assistance, and protection services, including gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection, and psychosocial support services in hard-hit areas of southwestern Haiti.