March 24 (UPI) — The United States Thursday said it plans to accept up to 100,000 Ukrainian war refugees. More than $1 billion in new funding will also be provided for humanitarian assistance for victims of Russia’s war on Ukraine, according to the White House.
The White House said in a statement that Ukraine war refugees will be welcomed through “the full range of legal pathways, including the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program.”
President Joe Biden is expected to announce the plans in Brussels Thursday. Exact details on how to do that are still being determined.
The White House said, “In particular we are working to expand and develop new programs with a focus on welcoming Ukrainians who have family members in the United States.”
Among the pathways to welcome up to 100,000 Ukrainian refugees are “humanitarian parole” done through presidential authority and a program called Priority 2, used to help others fleeing war zones in the past.
The United States has deployed a 25-person humanitarian response team to assess the needs, provide assistance and coordinate humanitarian efforts closely with the United Nations, NGO’s and the government of Ukraine.
The White House said the effort is working to reach 3.1 million people in Ukraine with ready-to-eat rations, canned goods, bread, wheat, flour, and oil.
Mobile medical teams are also working to provide emergency health supplies and medicine. Mobile teams are also providing psychological and mental health support.
The White House Thursday said Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens to disrupt the supply of agriculture commodities from the Black Sea region.
The United States will be providing over $11 billion over five years to address food security threats and malnutrition across the globe.
