United State President, Joe Biden has announced the provision of $374 million in additional humanitarian assistance in response to ongoing needs caused by Russia’s Putin’s war against Ukraine.
In a statement released by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), following the President meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington DC on Wednesday.
US President, Biden who had invited President Zelenskyy of Ukraine to visit Washington D.C. to underscore the United States’ enduring commitment to Ukraine.
While this additional life-saving assistance comes at a crucial moment as continued Russian attacks on civilian housing and critical infrastructure have left many communities without access to safe shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, and other basic services during the harsh winter.
With this additional funding, USAID partnered the UN Children’s Fund, the UN World Food Program, the UN World Health Organization, and a non-governmental organization to provide multi-sector humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of millions of people in worst- affected areas of the country, including people displaced by fighting.
USAID also said the funding will help partners provide urgently needed food and cash assistance to more than 1.5 million people, as well as health care, humanitarian protection, safe drinking water and sanitation services, trauma support, and winterization relief items and shelter repairs to support more than 2.5 million people.
As United States remains the largest donor to the humanitarian response for Ukraine, recall since the start of Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, the U.S. government has provided more than $1.9 billion in humanitarian assistance to support people in Ukraine and those fleeing to neighboring countries, including more than $1.4 billion in USAID humanitarian assistance.
Since Russia’s attack on February 24, USAID has been coordinating with humanitarian partners in the country and region to provide Ukrainians with life-saving humanitarian assistance while ramping up critical development assistance to respond to cyber-attacks.
Threats to energy sector, countering disinformation, supporting small businesses and the agriculture sector, documenting human rights violations, meeting essential health needs, and bolstering the continued functioning of local, regional, and national government entities.
“US will continue to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and remain committed to providing life-saving assistance to those who need it most”, USAID said.
Pelosi invites Ukraine’s President, Zelenskyy to address Congress session
Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy will address a joint session of Congress, demonstrating the strong, bipartisan support for Ukraine. Three hundred days ago, Russia launched a brutal assault against Ukraine.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi had earlier sent the following letter on behalf of bipartisan Congressional leadership to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy of Ukraine inviting him to address a Joint Meeting of Congress today Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
Pelosi said the invitation comes as Ukraine continues to fight back against Russia’s illegal, unprovoked invasion. “In the face of Putin’s horrific atrocities, Ukrainian freedom fighters have inspired the world with an iron will and an unbreakable spirit, fighting back against Russia’s brutal, unjustified invasion”.
Speaker Pelosi wrote in a letter to Ukraine’s President, adding that, “During this dark moment, your courageous, patriotic, indefatigable leadership has rallied not only your people, but the world, to join the frontlines of the fight for freedom.”
Speaker Pelosi continued: “It is with immense respect and admiration for your extraordinary leadership that I extend on behalf of bipartisan Congressional leadership an invitation to address a Joint Meeting of Congress on Wednesday, December 21, 2022.”
Additional $1.8bn security aid with Patriot Air Defense System for Ukraine
Moreso, the United States welcomed President Zelenskyy to Washington, D.C. today Wednesday to underscore America enduring commitment to the people of Ukraine, according to the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
He recalled over the past three hundred days, adding that the Kremlin has tried and failed to wipe Ukraine off the map. “Now, Russia is trying to weaponize winter by freezing and starving Ukrainian civilians and forcing families from their homes.
“In response, President Biden will announce today that the United States is providing critical new and additional military capabilities to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s ongoing brutal and unprovoked assault.
“Pursuant to a delegation of authority from the President, today I am authorizing our twenty-eighth drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021.
“This $1 billion drawdown will provide Ukraine with expanded air defense and precision-strike capabilities, as well as additional munitions, critical equipment that Ukraine is using so effectively to defend itself on the battlefield”.
The Secretary of State added that the Department of Defense is also announcing an additional $850 million of security assistance for Ukraine today under its Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.
Which he said will bring total U.S. military assistance for Ukraine to an unprecedented $21.9 billion since the beginning of the Administration.
According to him, “Today’s assistance for the first time includes the Patriot Air Defense System, capable of bringing down cruise missiles, short range ballistic missiles, and aircraft at significantly higher ceiling than previously provided air defense systems.
“The United States will continue to work closely with more than 50 allies and partners worldwide in support of the people of Ukraine as they defend their freedom and independence with extraordinary courage and boundless determination.
“We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes, so that Kyiv can continue to defend itself and be in the strongest possible position at negotiating table when the time comes”, Antony Blinken said.