Funding situation: USA and Japan respond

As I mentioned at the Tuesday briefing, UNHCR is working with donor governments to try to ensure a sufficient, stable and predictable funding flow. Among the improvements sought by the High Commissioner is the timely provision of contributions as early in the year as possible to allow for sound planning and implementation of our programmes around the world. We're pleased to report that some governments, including our top two donors - the United States and Japan - are responding. This week, contributions amounting to US $82 million were received from the Government of Japan, in one instalment. Total fresh contributions from the Government of Japan for this year now stand at US$ 85.3 million. Another major donor, the United States, has announced forthcoming contributions by the first week of July. We've already received $166 million this year from the United States. Overall, total fresh contributions and pledges for this year, as of 28 June, now stand at $502.5 million against the total UNHCR 2001 budget of $856.9 million.