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1 (April 17, 2001)

handle is hein.crs/crsuntaabne0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Order Code RS20622 Updated April 17, 2001 International Disasters: How the United States Responds Lois McHugh Foreign Affairs Analyst Foreign Affairs, Defense and Trade Division Summary The President can provide and fund emergency humanitarian assistance through several sources authorized and appropriated by Congress. These are: funds appropriated to the Office ofForeign Disaster Administration (OFDA) in the Agency for International Development (FY2001 appropriations of $299 million), U.S. Department of Agriculture food aid programs under P.L. 480 Food for Peace (FY2001 appropriations of $837 million) and section 416 (b) of the Agriculture Act of 1949, the State Department Emergency Refugee and Migration Account, a contingency account which can contain as much as $100 million for assistance to refugees fleeing persecution, and funds appropriated to the Department of Defense, Office of Humanitarian and Refugee Affairs (FY2001 appropriation of $55.9 million). These funds are also available for some non- emergency programs. In addition, the President has the authority to draw down defense equipment and direct military personnel to respond to disasters and provide space available transportation on military aircraft and ships to private donors who wish to transport humanitarian goods and equipment in response to a disaster. Finally, he can request other government agencies to assist within their capabilities. The United States has long been a leader in helping victims of foreign disasters. Congress has given the President broad authority in this area. P.L. 87-195, the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 authorized the United States to participate in disaster relief efforts and gave the President great flexibility to respond to disasters.' In 1993, President Clinton designated the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) as the Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance. In this capacity the Administrator coordinates the U.S. disaster response to both natural disasters (such as floods) and man-made disasters (such as war, oil spills), calls upon federal agencies to provide assistance, contracts with and funds private voluntary agencies to provide humanitarian assistance, and coordinates the U.S. response with that of other countries. 1 Sec. 491-493 of P.L. 87-195, Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Congressional Research Service The Library of Congress CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web

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