Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs Relating to Syria

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 Syria crisis, directing contributions to international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations plus administrative expenses for State Department's refugee bureau.

Federal Register Open PDF 78 FR 9571

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication

Key directives

Authorize up to $15 million from United States Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund
Furnish assistance for urgent refugee and migration needs from Syria crisis
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

$15 million authorized for immediate refugee assistance

Near term (90d)

Distribution of funds to international and NGO partners

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Limited funding amount ($15M) relative to scale of Syria crisis may constrain effectiveness
Reliance on international and NGO partners creates implementation uncertainty
No explicit accountability or oversight mechanisms specified in text