Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Related to Somalia and Food Pipeline Breaks for Refugee and Other Displaced Populations of Concern Globally

President Obama authorized up to $33 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to address urgent humanitarian needs of refugees, conflict victims, and internally displaced persons across Africa, Asia, South America, and the Middle East, with specific focus on Somalia and global food pipeline breaks.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 34617

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication

Key directives

Authorize up to $33 million from United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
Furnish assistance for unexpected and urgent refugee and migration needs
Make contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations
Pay administrative expenses of Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

$33 million authorization from Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund becomes available

Near term (90d)

funding disbursed to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations
administrative expenses paid to Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Vague geographic scope ('Africa, Asia, South America, and Middle East') allows wide discretion in fund allocation
No specific breakdown of $33 million across regions or organizations
Somalia-specific needs mentioned in title but not quantified separately in authorization text