Dear John,

As a valued supporter of people forced to flee their homes, we wanted to reach out to you about a topic you have likely already seen in the news—the suspension of the majority of US foreign aid.

UNHCR, like many humanitarian organizations, is affected by this decision. We are still assessing the impact for our work on the ground. We are exploring every avenue to help ensure that our life-saving support of refugees, forcibly displaced and stateless people can continue.

While a lot is still unknown, it is clear to us that disruption or less resources will have serious consequences for people forced to flee. All around the world, refugee families have been uprooted from their homes and support systems—in these environments, displaced people, particularly women and girls, are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

If we do not receive enough funding to run our programmes this year, more than 36 million displaced women and girls will not have access to essential services preventing gender-based violence and sexual abuse, or services to support survivors of violence. This is just one example of the many ways that refugees and displaced people could be impacted without urgent funding. Please donate now to ensure people forced to flee receiving life-saving care and support.

All around the world, we are providing life-saving shelter and emergency relief items, speaking directly with affected people to understand their needs and help them get the support they deserve. Right now, UNHCR teams are working around the clock, across the globe, to keep operations going including:

• Ukraine: As the full-scale war reaches the three-year mark, millions remain displaced inside and outside the country. The destruction of homes and critical infrastructure has left many without basic necessities, particularly those in frontline areas. Your support is essential to help families rebuild and recover (read more).
• Sudan: 12 million people are displaced both inside and outside the country. Families are experiencing both the physical and mental scars of war—they urgently need shelter, emergency supplies and mental health and psychosocial support (read more).
• Syria: After the fall of the Assad government, the safe and voluntary return of refugees remains a priority. We are providing cash grants to help people organise their return, transport, reintegration programmes, and monitoring their safety. Millions who were displaced still face immense challenges in rebuilding their lives, and continued support is crucial to ensure dignified and sustainable returns (read more).
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: An escalating conflict in eastern DRC has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee. Medical facilities are overwhelmed, and humanitarians on the ground cannot respond adequately without resources. Immediate action is vital (read more).

Best regards,

Monia Hassan
International Supporter Care
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency