Speeches Shim
The U.S. Government’s partnership with the people of Ukraine is steadfast and enduring, and USAID remains committed to supporting Ukraine and its people in this current crisis. We have worked closely with Ukraine, our European allies, and humanitarian assistance partners to prepare for the emergency that this war has caused and meet immediate and growing humanitarian needs.
USAID deployed a Disaster Assistance Response Team—our nation’s finest humanitarian responders—to the region to support the Ukrainian people as they flee Russia’s aggression and to rapidly address critical needs that arise due to ongoing conflict. We have already responded to a range of needs in the lead-up to the invasion, from energy security to countering disinformation to cybersecurity support as Russia attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure and communications. We will continue to assess and ramp up access to primary and trauma medical care, food, and clean water. USAID is also working closely with the U.S. State Department to support Ukrainians fleeing to neighboring countries.
Last updated: April 12, 2022
Well, I think Russia’s actions in recent days and in recent months as they built up to this invasion and the kind of fake diplomacy that was carried out by Russian officials over a long period of time as they planned to invade their neighbor, would give one grounds for pessimism. But on the other hand, there is nothing more important than diplomacy during a conflict. We see the human stakes—I saw the human stakes today in talking to those same Ukrainian refugees you just heard from coming across the border. And if this conflict continues it’s only going to get worse.
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of State, is providing nearly $54 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Ukraine following Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified further invasion of Ukraine, which is expected to trigger increased needs.
Today in Poland, Administrator Power met with Witold Dzielski, Advisor to the President of Poland, to discuss joint efforts to respond to Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Administrator Power emphasized the partnership between the United States and Poland in meeting the needs of the increasing flow of Ukrainians across the border.
Today, Administrator Power met with members of the Ukrainian American Community to convey the United States’ continued commitment to the Ukrainian people in the face of Russian aggression and violence, and to hear from them directly about their concerns and ways to collaborate to assist Ukranians in need.
Administrator Samantha Power will travel to Poland and Belgium on February 26-28 to discuss the U.S. government’s coordinated response with allies and partners to respond to Russia’s premeditated, unprovoked, and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Sarah Charles, USAID Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, and Nancy Izzo Jackson, Senior Bureau Official for the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration, which leads the U.S. refugee response, will also join the trip.
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