Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance

Description

Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) is an emergency presidential draw-down account that provides an important safety valve during emergencies, allowing the U.S. to meet rapidly occurring and unforeseen humanitarian needs.

Use of Funds

ERMA investments provide life-sustaining assistance to refugees, including food, shelter, health care, and education. In 2021, the needs of Afghans and U.S. partners after the withdrawal of U.S. forces drove unprecedented use of ERMA funding.

Justification

• Over 1% of the world’s population is now displaced, with children comprising 42%.
• Fueled by variants and a lack of vaccines, COVID-19 still rages around the globe, and has claimed at least 1.8 million lives across World Health Organization countries. The pandemic has devastated economies and livelihoods, increasing needs and fueling conflict.
• Unanticipated needs continue to arise.
  • 24 million people need life-saving assistance in Afghanistan.
  • Average household spending exceeds available income by 50% compared to 20% last year in Syria.
  • 16.2 million people suffer from acute food insecurity in Yemen. Even with humanitarian assistance, 40% of the population doesn’t have enough food.
  • The economy continues to deteriorate in Ethiopia exacerbating humanitarian needs for 25.9 million people.
  • 14.4 million people require humanitarian assistance in Myanmar.
  • 43% of the population in Haiti needs humanitarian assistance.
  • 8.4 million people are in need in South Sudan, which is facing its highest levels of food insecurity and malnutrition since declaring independence ten years ago.