U.S. contribution

The High Commissioner and UNHCR's senior management team had an opportunity this week to brief the visiting U.S. Assistant-Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, Ellen Sauerbrey, on our global operations and key refugee issues. UNHCR also thanked the United States for its just-announced initial contribution of $203.8 million toward UNHCR's 2006 operations. Of the $203.8 million, $200 million directly supports our Annual Programme activities, including $104 million for Africa; $25.5 million for Central Asia/Southwest Asia/North Africa/Middle East; $18 million for Europe; $10.5 million for Asia and the Pacific; $6.5 million for the Americas; $15 million for global operations; $16 million for headquarters; $4.5 million for the operational reserve; and $3.8 million to strengthen UNHCR's refugee protection capacity. The United States is UNHCR's largest single donor, contributing $323 million for our work in 2005.