The United States remains committed to President Bush’s vision of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is also our desire to help provide for the basic human needs of the Palestinian people.
Consistent with these principles, the United States will increase its humanitarian aid to help Palestinians in need. Basic humanitarian assistance – including health, food, and education – will increase by 57 percent, for a total of $245 million. The United States will also provide $42 million to strengthen civil society and independent institutions. Assistance will be administered through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and non-Palestinian Authority actors, including local and international NGOs.
Because the new Hamas-led Palestinian government has failed to accept the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel and respect for previous agreements between the parties, the United States is suspending assistance to the Palestinian government’s cabinet and ministries.
The new Palestinian government must take responsibility for the consequences of its policies. The path back to the Roadmap is clear – acceptance of the three principles. If it accepts the Quartet principles, or a new government comes to power that accepts them, funding can be restored.
Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 7, 2006
Basic Human Needs ($245 million):
Food Programs ($65 million)*
• U.N. WFP ($30 million), Emergency Assistance ($25 million), Food Fortification and Nutrition Management ($5 million)
* Includes likely request to USDA to continue $5 million in food programs
Health Programs ($31 million)
• Maternal and Child Health ($20 million), Emergency Medical Assistance ($11 million)
Avian Influenza Prevention and Containment ($500,000 in protective equipment and related supplies)
• Delivered via NGOs in close coordination with Israel, in response to the exceptional transnational threat posed by AI
Education Programs ($14 million)
• UNICEF or private schools ($5 million), Education and Cultural Exchange programs ($9 million)
UNRWA ($135 million)
• $51 million for UNRWA's West Bank/Gaza Emergency Appeal; $84 million for UNRWA's general fund for refugees in West Bank/Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria
Securing and Expanding Democracy ($42 million):
• Protects and promotes moderation and democratic alternatives to Hamas
Other ($13 million):
• Includes project support costs ($12.7 million), of which $5 million is for operating costs and expenses of the Office of the Inspector General to verify proper use of USG resources.
Suspended/Cancelled Programs
• $45 million in direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority
• $130 million in infrastructure projects (roads, water infrastructure, construction)
• $20 million in private enterprise development and revitalization, financial markets reform, trade programs, and information technology sector support
• $17 million in electoral, political party, local government, and legislative support programs
• $13 million in civil society development
• $10 million in rule of law and judicial programs$7 million in technical assistance and vocational training
• $4 million in community policing
• $165 million in ongoing and planned projects subject to further review
• $105 million in available funds from the above projects will be redirected to augment ongoing humanitarian and democracy building programs, detailed above
Program based on data available as of December 31, 2005
2006/354
Released on April 7, 2006
Internet Citation:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64234.htm
http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/64237.htm
 
