The following is attributable to Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met yesterday with the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, who serves as UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Administrator Green expressed the U.S. Government's support for OCHA's ongoing reform process, and the importance of pursuing strong initiatives to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse in the humanitarian sector.

During the meeting, the two officials noted the daunting humanitarian challenges around the world. Administrator Green noted the announcement of nearly $533 million in U.S. humanitarian assistance for the people of Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Nigeria, as well as countries in the Lake Chad region, who are facing alarming needs as result of conflict, and, in the case of Ethiopia and Somalia, prolonged drought. Additionally, Administrator Green and Mr. Lowcock discussed the crises in Syria and Yemen, the responses to which continue to face severe constraints because of access challenges.