InterAction Announces $1.2 Billion Refugee and Humanitarian Assistance Pledge

A picture of one of the many tented settlements, home to Syrian refugees who have fled conflict and now live in the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. PHOTO: World Vision/Jon Warren
Looking towards Syria: Informal Tented Settlement in Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley that houses Syrian refugees. Families build shelters with wood frames and plastic tarps on land that they rent in the settlement. They attempt to heat their poorly insulated living area with oil heaters. World Vision has provided families with toilets and water tanks and delivers water in the settlement. The organization also provides food assistance through a WFP project.

WASHINGTON —InterAction— the largest U.S. alliance of international nongovernmental organizations — announced a commitment today by 31 of its members to collectively invest over $1.2 billion in private resources on global humanitarian assistance efforts over the next three years. The pledge announcement comes in advance of President Barack Obama’s Sept. 20 Leaders’ Summit on Refugees. Global leaders present at the summit are also expected to make new and significant pledges to help address the global refugee crisis.

According to the UN refugee agency, there are more than 65 million displaced people in the world today, the highest number since World War II. By utilizing donations from individuals, foundations and corporations, the NGOs participating in the InterAction pledge will work to provide urgent medical assistance, food and nutrition security, shelter, education and other essential services to refugees and displaced populations across the globe.

“The American people have a long, proud tradition of aiding others in times of great need. Today’s global refugee crisis is no exception,” said InterAction CEO Sam Worthington. “InterAction is proud to represent 30 of its members in making this important humanitarian assistance pledge. Today’s announcement represents a down payment on the ongoing commitment of U.S. civil society to work together with public and private partners to help displaced populations in a time of historic humanitarian need.”

USAID, InterAction and its members have a strong history of partnering to tackle critical humanitarian challenges. The InterAction pledge is the latest example of U.S. civil society’s ability to collectively harness its resources and partner with public and private sector allies to assist people and communities affected by devastating natural and man-made disasters.

“With today’s global refugee crisis straining the worlds resources and testing our resolve, the American people have once again stepped up through this extraordinary display of generosity from InterAction and its members,” said USAID Administrator Gayle Smith. “This commitment will help galvanize the international community ahead of President Obama’s Leaders’ Summit on Refugees and spur further action from governments, businesses, and donors to meet the urgent needs of refugees and displaced persons around the world.”

Over the three-year commitment period, InterAction will track and annually announce the total private investments by participating member NGOs in humanitarian aid related to refugee services and relief. Additional information and updates will be available online at www.interaction.org.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS:

Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA); American Jewish World Service; All Hands Volunteers; AmeriCares; CARE U.S.; Catholic Relief Services; Church World Service; Global Communities; Headwaters Relief Organization; Heartland Alliance International; HIAS; International Medical Corps; International Rescue Committee; Islamic Relief USA; Mennonite Central Committee U.S.; Mercy Corps; Operation USA; Oxfam America; Project CURE; Relief International; Syrian American Medical Society; Salvation Army; Save the Children U.S.; Stop Hunger Now; U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI); UNICEF USA; World Food Program USA; World Concern; World Hope International; World Vision U.S.

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Tweet this: 31 @InterActionOrg member NGOs commit + $1.2 bill private funds to global refugee & humanitarian crises bit.ly/IAPledge2016 #WithRefugees

 

About InterAction: InterAction is the largest U.S. alliance of nongovernmental international organizations, with more than 180 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.

Highlights

  • Group of 31 international NGOs commit over $1 billion in private resources to help address global refugee crisis over the next three years.
  • According to the UN refugee agency, there are more than 65 million displaced people in the world today, the highest number since World War II.