362 days have passed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began and the United States has not stopped supporting the country led by Valodimir Zelenski who, through the House of Representatives, has approved various aid packages, the last of which was given in December last year and it was $1.7 trillion dollarsbut beyond the help that the Biden Administration has given to the Ukrainian country to defend itself, humanitarian aid also stands out.
Dozens of people have lived through a tragedy for 12 months that involves violence, fear, physical and personal losses, without forgetting the economic crisis that causes a high-impact decrease in the income of numerous families. A recent UNICEF survey found that 80% of respondents said “a deterioration of their economic situation”while an analysis by the organization suggests that the percentage of infants living in poverty has doubled and “went from 43% to 82%.”
The United States is no stranger to this situation and in March 2022 awarded $186 million dollars to support internally displaced persons, as well as the more than three million refugees affected by premeditated, unprovoked and justified war.
“Our financing to date represents almost $644 million directed to vulnerable communities in the region since Russia first invaded Ukraine eight years ago. Our humanitarian assistance circulates through independent humanitarian organizations that provide assistance based on specific needs, with criteria of impartiality, humanity, neutrality and independence,” the government reported.
Later awarded $368 million in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine to face this crisis, with this delivery the country led by Joe Biden consolidated itself as “the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance.”
At the time, the United States Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenrevealed that the aid is intended for food, drinking water, economic aid, shelter, in addition, they help victims of the conflict to maintain contact with relatives from whom they have been separated and promote family reunification whenever possible. “Our commitment to the Ukrainian people is firm” and the money “He will help the people in Ukraine and the refugees who have been forced to leave their country by Russia’s brutal war.”
The funds, according to the State Department, were sent through two channels: $288 million dollars through the Department itself and more than $80 million dollars through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“Since the beginning of the war (…) The United States has provided more than $1.28 billion in humanitarian assistance to address this crisis, and we are the largest single donor of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine,” Blinken revealed after the aid shipment.
In order to continue helping, USAID has been coordinating with other international partners such as the UN World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
The government also announced on April 21, 2022 that would welcome Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine which bears the name “Union for Ukraine” which provides a path for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members to arrive in the country and temporarily stay for a two-year parole period.
“The first step in the Union for Ukraine process is that the U.S.-based sponsor files a Form I-134A, Online Application to Become a Support Person and Statement of Financial Support, with USCIS. The sponsor will be investigated by the United States government to ensure that they can financially support the person they agree to sponsor,” USCIS announced.
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Source: La Opinion
