Kerry is visiting Kyiv on Thursday prior to the Warsaw NATO summit / Photo from UNIAN
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has announced in Kyiv that the United States is providing nearly $23 million in additional U.S. humanitarian assistance to help thousands of vulnerable people affected by the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine.
"This announcement brings the total of U.S. humanitarian assistance since the start of the crisis to more than $135 million," the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine said in an official statement on Thursday, July 7.
The funding will support the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and other international humanitarian organizations as they provide for the basic survival needs of thousands of vulnerable people.
"This contribution is available to help supply food, clothing, bedding, access to medical care and supplies, shelter materials, repair of key infrastructure, and more," the statement said.
Read alsoUkraine urges Russia to disclose information about children illegally taken out of DonbasIn addition, U.S. assistance will help address humanitarian needs in parts of eastern Ukraine affected by the ongoing conflict. This assistance will be implemented through a number of international non-governmental organizations, and will support shelter, water and sanitation, and livelihoods programs, in areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions on both sides of the line of control.
Read alsoU.S. allocating another $28 mln in humanitarian assistance to UkraineAccording to the most recent United Nations estimates, there are more than 3.1 million vulnerable people in Ukraine, including many children, disabled, and elderly individuals. The United States remains committed to helping address the serious humanitarian concerns in Ukraine, and continues to urge the international community to contribute more resources to humanitarian appeals.