Unexpected Urgent Refugee and Migration Needs

President Biden authorized up to $50 million from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for humanitarian aid to refugees and internally displaced persons affected by the February 2023 earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, channeled through international and nongovernmental organizations. The Secretary of State is directed to submit the determination to Congress with a Justification and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 88 FR 15265

Key directives

Authorize up to $50 million from Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund for earthquake response
Direct assistance through contributions to international and nongovernmental organizations
Provide humanitarian assistance for refugees, internally displaced persons, and host communities
Pay administrative expenses of Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Submit determination and Justification to Congress
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

$50 million authorized for earthquake response
Secretary of State directed to submit to Congress and publish in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

Humanitarian assistance disbursement to international and nongovernmental organizations

Long term

—

Risks & tensions

Amount ($50M) is modest relative to scale of earthquake devastation; may be insufficient for needs
No explicit deadline for fund disbursement or spending timeline
Complex humanitarian operating environment in Syria due to ongoing conflict and political fragmentation