Congress increased the amount to $150 million in additional food aid. and $16 million in additional disaster assistance. All of it was used for the expanding famine in Africa because all of it was needed. In addition to the disaster assistance. the SFRC also approved $37.5 million in emergency refugee assistance to help meet the special. compelling needs of those who have crossed national borders to seek relief from famine. and in some cases. political turmoil. Today there are an estimated 4 million African refugees in 24 countries. Almost a quarter of these refugees are in the Sudan alonetaxing an already overburdened economy with the strain of feeding. housing. and rudimentary sanitation costs. In many countries. given the tremendous pressure to meet their own populations. needs due to the drought and famine. refugees are helped lastif at all. Without the special efforts of the International Red Cross. or the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. many of these individuals would receive nothing at all. Their needs are special. and distinct from other kinds of relief needs in Africa. precisely because of their special status. The committee recognized this fact in approving this modest amount for African refugees. Mr. President. in a thoughtful. insightful piece he wrote for the Washington Post several weeks ago.
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Refugees refugee refugees