The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:
Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman represented the United States today at a high-level pledging event on Ethiopia hosted by the Government of Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva, Switzerland. During the conference, the Deputy Administrator announced nearly $154 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia and reiterated the U.S. commitment to the Ethiopian people who continue to be affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
During her remarks, the Deputy Administrator highlighted the importance of recent reforms to Ethiopia's humanitarian aid architecture in ensuring aid is reaching the most vulnerable, and called for increased access and protections for humanitarian organizations. She also called on other donors to help share the burden of addressing Ethiopia's humanitarian needs.
While in Geneva, Deputy Administrator Coleman also met with representatives of Small Island Developing States to discuss ways for increased collaboration. The leaders exchanged candid insights on the challenges they face - including managing the impacts of climate change and mobilizing private investment for economic development - and how the U.S. government can continue to support these countries.
