April 2 2003

The President has determined that up to $22 million should be made available from the U.S. Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to meet unexpected urgent refugee and migration needs that are anticipated in teh event of a future humanitarian emergency in the Middle East.

In the declaration, which is available in the Federal Register, the President incidated that such an emergency may arise if it becomes necessary for the U.S. to use military force to disarm the Iraqi regime of its weapons of mass destruction. The funds would be used to provide contributions to relief organizations.