U.S. Humanitarian Aid For Ukrainian Civilians At Risk Without Congressional Deal

The United States said on Sunday that it might not be able to provide further humanitarian aid for Ukrainian civilians without Congressional approval of President Biden's supplemental request.

"The United States has obligated nearly all of its humanitarian assistance funds that Congress has authorized from prior Ukraine supplementals," a USAID spokesperson told TURAN's Washington correspondent.

"U.S. government partners are using this obligated funding to procure and provide critical humanitarian goods and services—including food, shelter repair materials, medical supplies, basic health services, and drinking water and hygiene support—across Ukraine and in countries affected by Russia’s assault on Ukraine.  If Congress does not approve the President’s national security supplemental request, USAID will not be able to provide further funding to support needs, and partner organizations will be forced to cut off life-saving aid to millions of people," a USAID spokesperson added.

According to UN records, about 10.1 million people were reached with humanitarian assistance in Ukraine in 2023.

U.S. needs-based humanitarian assistance is a critical "pillar to Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia’s aggression," a USAID spokesperson told TURAN.

Republicans in the Senate late last year blocked President Biden's request for $106bn in emergency aid that includes more than $61 billion for Ukraine,  after conservatives balked at the exclusion of immigration reforms they had demanded as part of the package.

The U.S. Congress has approved several rounds of aid to Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion so far, totaling about $113 billion, with some of that money going toward replenishing U.S. military equipment sent to the frontlines.

Most members of the House and Senate support the aid, viewing defense of Ukraine and its democracy as a global imperative. However, Republicans have insisted that a bipartisan compromise on immigration and border security policy is necessary to advance additional funding for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Last week, President Biden warned that the stakes of the fight in Ukraine will reverberate beyond its borders and "affect the entirety of the NATO Alliance, the security of Europe, and the future of the Transatlantic relationship." He also warned it increases the risk of pulling the U.S. into the fight directly.

"We cannot let our allies and partners down. We cannot let Ukraine down. History will judge harshly those who fail to answer freedom’s call," Biden added.