President Authorizes Funding for Afghan Refugee Aid Programs
Posted Oct 26, 2001

On September 28, 2001, President Bush issued a determination that up to $25 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance fund could be allocated to assist Afghan refugees. Pursuant to this determination, the money can be donated to "international, governmental and nongovernmental organizations" as appropriate and necessary to assist persons fleeing Afghanistan for neighboring and other countries.

This funding will hopefully provide some relief to governments and aid agencies in countries that border Afghanistan, struggling to care for the large influx of Afghan refugees. The law that authorizes this funding apparently requires the President to issue a determination before money can be allocated for response to a particular situation.