The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:
Yesterday, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman met with five members of Ukraine’s Parliament to discuss the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine including delegation chair Lesia Zaburanna, Yevheniia Kravchuk, Anastasiia Radina, Mariia Ionova, and Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States Oksana Markarova and Embassy Counselor Andriy Tsymbaliuk also joined the meeting.
Deputy Administrator Coleman outlined the U.S. government’s rapid scale up of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine including providing food, safe drinking water, shelter, emergency health care, and much-needed household supplies. They discussed the difficulty of reaching those most in need due to Russian bombardment and shelling, which continues to damage roads, bridges, and railroads. In addition, Deputy Administrator Coleman detailed how USAID’s development programs continue to support national, regional and local governments, civil society, journalists, the health system, and the business community to meet the needs of those in Ukraine, from documenting human rights violations and thwarting cyberattacks to countering disinformation and ensuring that farmers have access to finance to continue agricultural production.
The Deputy Administrator expressed her deep admiration and support for the Ukrainian people, who are courageously defending their country against the Kremlin’s aggression.