Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Related to Libya

President Obama authorized up to $15 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to address urgent refugee and migration needs stemming from the violence in Libya in 2011. The funds could be used for contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations and for administrative expenses of the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Federal Register Open PDF 76 FR 14271

Impact dates

Mar 7, 2011
Determination effective; authorization begins

Key directives

Authorize up to $15 million from United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for Libya-related refugee and migration needs
Permit contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations
Permit payment of administrative expenses of Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Direct Secretary of State to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Authorization of up to $15 million in emergency refugee assistance
Directive to Secretary of State to publish determination in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Disbursement of funds to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations
Payment of administrative expenses for refugee operations

Long term

Humanitarian response to Libyan crisis (contingent on ongoing conflict)

Risks & tensions

$15 million cap may be insufficient for scale of humanitarian crisis if conflict escalates
Funding mechanism relies on existing emergency fund rather than new congressional appropriation
Vague on specific recipient organizations or allocation criteria