U.S. Department of State

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to discuss issues related to Syria in Paris on May 27, 2013. You can read the Secretary’s remarks with Foreign Minister Lavrov after their meeting here. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

U.S. Provides Wheat To Fill Urgent Food Gaps in Syria

As part of our nearly $510 million in humanitarian aid to help those affected by the crisis in Syria, wheat recently provided by the United States will feed more than one million people in Syria for four months.

The 25,000 metric tons of wheat donated to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) will be milled into flour and distributed to vulnerable families across Syria’s 14 Governorates through WFP as part of a monthly food ration. In addition to the 25 kilogram bag of flour that is being provided in these monthly food kits, families receive vegetable oil, pasta, bulgur, canned pulses and sugar. MORE

Saving a Syrian University Student’s Life

Ghassan, a university student from Rif Damascus, was heading home from classes when fighting broke out between regime and rebel fighters. Ghassan was not able to take cover in time and was hit by shrapnel in both legs.

When the fighting died down, he was taken to a nearby USAID-supported field hospital, where doctors found a closed fracture in his right leg and shrapnel wounds in his left foot. Luckily, the femoral artery in his leg was not hit and he only suffered a bone fracture, but no displacement. The doctors removed the shrapnel, cleaned the wounds, and cast his right leg. MORE

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, and Syrian Opposition Council Chairman Moaz al-Khatib in Istanbul, Turkey on April 21, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary Kerry Announces Doubling of U.S. Non-lethal Assistance to the Syrian Opposition and New Humanitarian Aid for the Syrian Crisis

Fact Sheet
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 20, 2013

Following his meetings with Syrian Coalition President al-Khatib, members of the Coalition’s leadership, and international partners supporting the Syrian opposition, Secretary of State John Kerry announced the United States’ intention to double non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition, as well as provide additional humanitarian aid to Syrians in need.

The new non-lethal assistance underscores the United States’ firm support for a political solution to the crisis in Syria and for the opposition’s advancement of an inclusive, tolerant vision for a post-Assad Syria. The United States will work with the Syrian Coalition and other opposition representatives to determine how the new $123 million in non-lethal assistance can best support their efforts to meet the needs of the Syrian people and lead the way to a political transition that will bring an end to this conflict, and build the inclusive, democratic Syria that its people deserve. This new pledge brings our total non-lethal assistance to the Syrian opposition and civil society groups to $250 million. MORE

Secretary Kerry meets with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and members of the Syrian Opposition Coalition in Istanbul, Turkey on April 20, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary Kerry has arrived in Istanbul, Turkey for meetings with Turkish officials and the Syrian Opposition Coalition. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

Secretary of State John Kerry’s Travel to Europe

Press Statement
Jen Psaki
Spokesperson
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 18, 2013

Secretary Kerry will travel to Istanbul, Turkey, on April 19 to meet with key partners and members of the Syrian Opposition Coalition to further explore ways that the international community can support the opposition and accelerate a Syrian-led political transition.

Secretary Kerry will then travel to Brussels, Belgium, from April 22-24 to participate in a meeting of NATO foreign ministers. The Secretary and his counterparts will discuss how to maintain a strong Alliance capable of protecting member states against current and future threats, in light of regional and global security challenges.

In addition, NATO foreign ministers will meet in the NATO-Russian Council with their Russian Federation counterpart. They will also join with non-NATO contributors to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and representatives of the Government of Afghanistan to review the status of the joint Afghan/ISAF transition plan, and to discuss NATO’s post-2014 mission in Afghanistan.

While in Brussels, the Secretary will meet with senior officials of the European Union and have other bilateral meetings.

Key Outcomes at the UN Human Rights Council 22nd Session

Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe, U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council, spoke at the Human Rights Council March 21 to introduce the resolution on Sri Lanka sponsored by the United States and 40 other countries, Geneva, Switzerland, March 21, 2013. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

About the Author: Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe serves as the U.S. Representative to the Human Rights Council.

The Human Rights Council 22nd Session, which ended on March 22, was one of the most significant in the Council’s short history. The packed agenda and vast portfolio of country situations and human rights issues addressed over the past four weeks are clear evidence of the Council’s ability to serve as the lead entity in the UN for promoting and protecting human rights.

In addition to the Council’s official agenda, nearly 150 different parallel events sponsored by civil society and governments took place, a clear signal that human rights defenders consider the Council a crucial venue for their work. When Shin Dong Hyuk, a young man who escaped from the brutal North Korean labor camp in which he had been born and grew up, gave compelling testimony at an event organized by a leading NGO, it was clear that the Council can and does bring the reality of human rights issues… more »

Saving a Leg and a Life in Rif Damascus

Surgery performed at a field hospital in Atmeh, Syria, next to the border with Turkey, Nov. 16, 2012. [AP File Photo]

About the Author: Rebecca Gustafson serves on USAID’s Syria Response Management Team.

As part of the $385 million in U.S. government humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria, USAID is supporting more than 110 field hospitals, medical clinics and medical points across Syria that have saved countless lives.

Hajji Rajaa is a 69-year old grandmother who lives on her own in Rif Damascus. As she was traveling to buy groceries for her family, she was hit in the knee by sniper fire.

Once the scene was deemed safe, bystanders transported Hajji Rajaa to a nearby USAID-funded field hospital. The medical team quickly determined the extent of the damage, thankful the bullet had not hit the femoral artery.

Doctors removed the bullet and treated her wound, but Hajji Rajaa required daily care to ensure her wound was healing properly. Though she wanted to recover at home with her family nearby, she was unable to travel to the field hospital… more »