The world is facing a refugee crisis. More than 25 million people have fled their countries to escape war, violence orpersecution, and today are living as refugees. More than half are children under 18.
USAID provides emergency food assistance to help refugees survive, recover and regain stability. In fiscal year 2018,we provided nearly $690 million in assistance to millions of refugees.
Importantly, our assistance also helps the countries and communities – most often developing countries – who hostrefugees. Currently USAID food assistance reaches refugees in 25 countries, including Lebanon, Jordan, Ethiopia,Chad, Uganda and Bangladesh, among others.
How Does USAID SupportRefugees?
USAID food assistance meets refugees’ immediate needs and lays the foundation for longer-term recovery. Ourfour types of assistance are tailored to meet refugee and host community needs in different circ*mstances.
- LOCALLY AND REGIONALLYPURCHASED FOOD (LRP): When there’s no time to transport food, orwhen importing it would distort local prices,USAID purchases commodities closer to therefugee crisis, in local or regional markets.
- U.S.-GROWN FOOD: When food supplies are limited or inaccessible,USAID provides food commodities grown byAmerican farmers to meet the immediatenutrition needs of refugees facing hunger.
- MARKET-BASEDFOOD VOUCHERS: When food is available and importing morewould distort local prices, USAID providesassistance as paper or electronic foodvouchers. This helps refugees buy food locally,which in turn supports local host communities.
- FLEXIBLE MARKET-BASEDFOOD ASSISTANCE: In situations that call for maximum flexibility,USAID provides market-based assistance ascash, mobile or debit card transfers. This letsrefugees buy exactly what they need – likefresh vegetables – and it supports localbusinesses and communities.
ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN BANGLADESH: USAID provided nearly $108 million in food assistance to help Rohingya refugees who fled Burma to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh.
FOOD VOUCHERS FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES: USAID provided food vouchers reaching 1 millionSyrian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq andTurkey, helping them buy food in local markets, whichin turn helps the local economies that host them.
FOOD ASSISTANCEIN ETHIOPIA: USAID provided refugees with $45 million infood aid, including yellow split peas or lentils,vegetable oil and sorghum, as well assupplementary nutrition products for youngchildren and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
REFUGEES IN UGANDA: USAID provided more than 1 million refugeesand asylum-seekers in Uganda with emergencyfood assistance, including U.S.-grown and locally and regionally grown food.
Refugees, Conflict and Instability
Refugees are people who have fled their homes for safety, and they are scattered across the world. More than half of refugeescome from countries mired in conflict, notably Syria and South Sudan. In places like Somalia, natural disasters exacerbatepopulation movements and humanitarian needs.
More than 80 percent of the world’s refugees today live in developing countries. Turkey alone hosts more than 3 millionrefugees; Pakistan and Uganda each more than 1 million; and Bangladesh hosts nearly 1 million Rohingya refugees from Burma.
Related Resources
- Emergency Food Assistance
- Types of Emergency Food Assistance
- Video: What U.S. Food Assistance Means to Refugees
- StoryMap: What U.S. Food Assistance Means to Refugees
- Innovation Comes to Uganda Refugee Settlements
- Together It is Possible: Feeding the World's Largest Refugee Camp
- Emergency Food Rations Save Lives of Congolese Refugees
- Refugees in Kenya:Mega-Camps Develop Mini Economy for Growing Grains
- U.S. Food Assistance Renews Optimism for Refugees in Djibouti
