The below is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Pooja Jhunjhunwala:
Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power met with Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) Secretary General Jan Egeland to discuss urgent humanitarian priorities, including the ongoing catastrophe in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Administrator Power noted that USAID shares NRC’s concern over the need for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access and the safety and security of all humanitarian organizations operating in Tigray.
Administrator Power and Secretary General Egeland also discussed worsening humanitarian needs stemming from COVID-19 and the United States’ commitment to humanitarian reforms to ensure more aid is directly reaching the world's most vulnerable people. Administrator Power congratulated Secretary General Egeland on his new role as Grand Bargain Eminent Person.