Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs

President Obama authorized up to $10 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to address urgent refugee and migration needs stemming from the conflict in Northern Mali. The funds support international organizations, NGOs, and administrative costs for the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

Federal Register Open PDF 77 FR 42947

Key directives

Authorize up to $10 million from United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
Direct assistance 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

$10 million authorized for disbursement from Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund

Near term (90d)

Contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations for Mali crisis response
Payment of administrative expenses for State Department refugee bureau

Long term

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Risks & tensions

No explicit deadline for fund disbursement creates implementation uncertainty
Single-country focus on Northern Mali may limit flexibility if crisis spreads regionally