From Reuters:
“Factbox: The big items in
Washington's $40 billion Ukraine aid package”
The U.S. Senate passed a bill on
Thursday that would provide some $40 billion in additional military, economic
and humanitarian aid to Ukraine following Russia's invasion as the Biden
administration predicts a prolonged conflict. The war has reduced cities to
rubble, forced millions from their homes and, according to the U.N. human
rights body, killed an estimated 3,500 civilians. Russia has little to show for
it beyond a strip of territory in southern Ukraine and marginal gains in the
eastern part of the country. The United States has rushed $3.9 billion worth of
armaments to Ukraine since Russia invaded on Feb. 24, including howitzers,
anti-aircraft Stinger systems, anti-tank Javelin missiles, ammunition and armed
drones. The following are some of the main elements in the funding package:
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE The
legislation includes more than $4 billion in international disaster assistance
to respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and other affected countries,
including the provision of emergency food and shelter. The legislation
also includes $350 million in migration and refugee assistance for the U.S.
State Department to assist refugees from Ukraine and support to other countries
in Eastern Europe. The number of people who have fled Ukraine to escape
Russia's invasion has passed 6 million, in Europe's worst refugee crisis since
the end of World War Two, a U.N. refugee agency said on Thursday. read more Most
have crossed to the European Union through border points in Poland, Slovakia,
Hungary and Romania, where volunteers and governments have scrambled to help
them find accommodation and provide support.
ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND The
package also includes nearly $9 billion for an economic support fund for
Ukraine and other countries affected by the conflict, including programs to
combat human trafficking and money that can be used to respond to food
insecurity. The funds may be used to provide direct financial support to
the government of Ukraine, according to the bill, although cash transfers would
be subject to a memorandum of understanding, and certain safeguards and
oversight. The Global Network Against Food Crises, set up by the United
Nations and European Union, said in its annual report this month that Russia's
invasion of Ukraine - both countries are major food producers - poses serious
risks to global food security, especially in vulnerable countries including
Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
SECURITY ASSISTANCE The
package includes almost $15 billion for defense operations and maintenance,
which includes $6 billion for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative and
$8.7 billion to replenish stocks of U.S. equipment sent to Ukraine. The
legislation includes hundreds of millions of dollars for the procurement of
missiles, weapons and tracked combat vehicles, ammunition and aircraft, among
others. It also provides $4 billion in Foreign Military Financing to
provide support for Ukraine and other countries affected by the crisis, and
$100 million for non-proliferation, anti-terrorism, demining and related
programs.
PRESIDENTIAL DRAWDOWN
AUTHORITY The legislation authorizes up to a further $11 billion in
Presidential Drawdown Authority, which allows the president to authorize the
transfer of articles and services from U.S. stocks without congressional
approval in response to an emergency.
DIPLOMACY The legislation
authorizes nearly $200 million for the U.S. State Department's diplomatic
programs to respond to the situation in Ukraine and countries affected by the
conflict. It also authorizes $110 million for embassy security,
construction and maintenance.
^ It’s great to see this has
passed and will go to help Ukraine, the US and the World. ^
https://www.reuters.com/world/big-items-washingtons-40-billion-ukraine-aid-package-2022-05-19/
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