Part IX—International Disaster Assistance
§2292. General provisions
(a) Congressional policy
The Congress, recognizing that prompt United States assistance to alleviate human suffering caused by natural and manmade disasters is an important expression of the humanitarian concern and tradition of the people of the United States, affirms the willingness of the United States to provide assistance for the relief and rehabilitation of people and countries affected by such disasters.
(b) General authority
Subject to limitations in section 2292a of this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any other Act, the President is authorized to furnish assistance to any foreign country, international organization, or private voluntary organization, on such terms and conditions as he may determine, for international disaster relief and rehabilitation, including assistance relating to disaster preparedness, and to the prediction of, and contingency planning for, natural disasters abroad.
(c) Emergency Food Security Program
(1) In general
Subject to the limitations in section 2292a of this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter or any other Act, the President is authorized to make available emergency food assistance, including in the form of funds, transfers, vouchers, and agricultural commodities (including products derived from agricultural commodities) acquired through local or regional procurement, to meet emergency food needs arising from manmade and natural disasters.
(2) Designation
Funds made available under this subsection shall be known as the "International Disaster Assistance – Emergency Food Security Program".
(d) Specific direction
In carrying out the provisions of this section the President shall insure that the assistance provided by the United States shall, to the greatest extent possible, reach those most in need of relief and rehabilitation as a result of natural and manmade disasters.
(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §491, as added Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(3), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 849; amended Pub. L. 95–424, title I, §118(a), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 953; Pub. L. 96–533, title IV, §404(b), Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3150; Pub. L. 114–195, §7(c)(1), July 20, 2016, 130 Stat. 681.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (b) and (c)(1), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, known as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 of this title and Tables.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 491 of Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, as added Pub. L. 92–226, pt. I, §109, Feb. 7, 1972, 86 Stat. 24, provided for East Pakistan refugee relief assistance, including appropriations authorization of $250,000,000 for fiscal year 1972, prior to repeal by section 101(2) of Pub. L. 94–161.
Amendments
2016—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 114–195 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).
1980—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–533 substituted "limitations" for "limitation on appropriations".
1978—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 95–424 substituted ", international organization, or private voluntary organization" for "or international organization".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–424 effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 605 of Pub. L. 95–424, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title.
§2292a. Authorization of appropriations
(a) Fiscal year authorization
There are authorized to be appropriated to the President to carry out section 2292 of this title, $3,905,460,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which up to $1,757,457,000 should be made available to carry out section 2292(c) of this title. Amounts appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available until expended.
(b) Subsequent appropriations for reimbursement of additional fiscal year obligations charged against appropriation account
In addition to amounts otherwise available to carry out this part, up to $50,000,000 in any fiscal year may be obligated against appropriations under subchapter I of this chapter (other than this part) for use in providing assistance in accordance with the authorities and general policies of section 2292 of this title. Amounts subsequently appropriated under this part with respect to a disaster may be used to reimburse any appropriation account against which obligations were incurred under this subsection with respect to that disaster.
(c) Amounts in addition to other amounts
Amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to the authorizations of appropriations under section 2292(c) of this title are in addition to funds otherwise available for such purposes.
(d) Flexibility
(1) United States policy
It is the policy of the United States that the funds made available to carry out section 2292 of this title are intended to provide the President with the greatest possible flexibility to address disaster-related needs as they arise and to prepare for and reduce the impact of natural and man-made disasters.
(2) Sense of Congress
It is the sense of Congress that any amendments to applicable legal provisions contained in this chapter are not intended to limit such authorities.
(e) Report
Not later than March 1 of each fiscal year, the President shall submit to the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a report that describes the activities undertaken by the President over the course of the prior fiscal year pursuant to section 2292(c) of this title, including the amounts of assistance provided, intended beneficiaries, monitoring and evaluation strategies, anticipated outcomes, and, as practicable, actual outcomes.
(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §492, as added Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(3), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 849; amended Pub. L. 95–88, title I, §119, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 541; Pub. L. 95–424, title I, §118(b), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 953; Pub. L. 96–53, title I, §115, Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 365; Pub. L. 96–533, title IV, §§403, 404(a), Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3150; Pub. L. 97–113, title V, §503, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1539; Pub. L. 99–83, title IV, §404, Aug. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 219; Pub. L. 114–195, §7(c)(2), July 20, 2016, 130 Stat. 681; Pub. L. 115–266, §2(b), Oct. 11, 2018, 132 Stat. 3755; Pub. L. 117–263, div. E, title LV, §5588(g)(2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3379.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), was in the original "this Act", meaning Pub. L. 87–195, Sept. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 424, known as the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 2151 of this title and Tables.
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–263 substituted "$3,905,460,000 for each of the fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which up to $1,757,457,000" for "$2,794,184,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2023, of which up to $1,257,382,000".
2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–266 substituted "fiscal years 2017 through 2023" for "fiscal years 2017 and 2018".
2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–195, §7(c)(2)(A), which directed substitution of "$2,794,184,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 and 2018, of which up to $1,257,382,000 should be made available to carry out section 2292(c) of this title." for "$25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1986 and $25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1987.", was executed by making the substitution for "$25,000,000 for fiscal year 1986 and $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1987." to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsecs. (c) to (e). Pub. L. 114–195, §7(c)(2)(B), added subsecs. (c) to (e).
1985—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–83 substituted provisions authorizing appropriations of $25,000,000 for fiscal years 1986 and 1987, for provisions authorizing appropriations of $27,000,000 for fiscal years 1982 and 1983.
1981—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 97–113 substituted appropriations authorization of $27,000,000 for fiscal years 1982 and 1983, for appropriation of $25,000,000 for fiscal year 1981.
1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–533, §§403, 404(a)(1), substituted appropriations authorization of "$25,000,000 for the fiscal year 1981" for such authorization of "$21,800,000 for the fiscal year 1980" and designated existing provisions as subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 96–533, §404(a)(2), added subsec. (b).
1979—Pub. L. 96–53 substituted "$21,800,000" for "$25,000,000" and "1980" for "1979".
1978—Pub. L. 95–424 substituted "the fiscal year 1979" for "each of the fiscal years 1977 and 1978" and struck out provision requiring the President to submit quarterly reports to the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the programming and obligation of funds.
1977—Pub. L. 95–88 substituted "fiscal years 1977 and 1978" for "fiscal years 1976 and 1977".
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
References to Subchapter I Deemed To Include Certain Parts of Subchapter II
References to subchapter I of this chapter are deemed to include parts IV (§2346 et seq.), VI (§2348 et seq.), and VIII (§2349aa et seq.) of subchapter II of this chapter, and references to subchapter II are deemed to exclude such parts. See section 202(b) of Pub. L. 92–226, set out as a note under section 2346 of this title, and sections 2348c and 2349aa–5 of this title.
Effective Date of 1985 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–83 effective Oct. 1, 1985, see section 1301 of Pub. L. 99–83, set out as a note under section 2151–1 of this title.
Effective Date of 1979 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–53 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 512(a) of Pub. L. 96–53, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.
Effective Date of 1978 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 95–424 effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 605 of Pub. L. 95–424, set out as a note under section 2151 of this title.
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title.
§2292a–1. Appropriated funds; Presidential reports to Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House
The President shall submit quarterly reports to the Committee on Appropriations of the United States Senate and to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives on the programing and obligation of funds appropriated for International Disaster Assistance.
(Pub. L. 94–330, title I, §100, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 773.)
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was not enacted as part of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 which comprises this chapter.
§2292b. Disaster assistance coordination through a Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance; Presidential appointment and duties
The President is authorized to appoint a Special Coordinator for International Disaster Assistance whose responsibility shall be to promote maximum effectiveness and coordination in responses to foreign disasters by United States agencies and between the United States and other donors. Included among the Special Coordinator's responsibilities shall be the formulation and updating of contingency plans for providing disaster relief.
(Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §493, as added Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(3), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 849.)
Executive Documents
Delegation of Functions
For delegation of functions of President under this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12163, Sept. 29, 1979, 44 F.R. 56673, as amended, set out as a note under section 2381 of this title.
Section, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §494, formerly §452, as added Pub. L. 93–333, §2(2), July 8, 1974, 88 Stat. 290; renumbered §494, Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(4), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 850, authorized appropriations for disaster relief and emergency recovery needs in Pakistan and Nicaragua.
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was formerly classified to section 2262 of this title.
Section, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §494A, formerly pt. III, §639A, as added Pub. L. 93–189, §20, Dec. 17, 1973, 87 Stat. 725, amended Pub. L. 93–333, §3(2)–(5), July 8, 1974, 88 Stat. 290; renumbered pt. I, §494A, Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(5), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 850, related to famine and disaster relief to drought-stricken African nations.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 605 of Pub. L. 95–424, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 2151 of this title.
Assistance in Controlling Locust Plagues in Africa; Authorization of Appropriations
Pub. L. 95–424, title I, §120, Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 954, provided that: "In order to assist in attempts to control locust plagues in Africa, especially in the Horn of Africa, there is authorized to be appropriated to the President, in addition to amounts otherwise authorized for disaster relief purposes, $2,000,000, which amount is authorized to remain available until expended."
§2292e. Transferred
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §120, formerly pt. III, §639B, as added Pub. L. 93–189, §20, Dec. 17, 1973, 87 Stat. 725; renumbered pt. I, §494B, and amended Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(5), (7), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 850; renumbered pt. I, §120; amended Pub. L. 95–88, title I, §115(1), (2), Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 539, which related to the Sahel development program and had been classified to section 2399–1b of this title, has been transferred to section 2151r of this title.
Section, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495, as added Pub. L. 94–161, title I, §101(8), Dec. 20, 1975, 89 Stat. 850; amended Pub. L. 94–329, title IV, §402, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 757, authorized relief and rehabilitation assistance for Cyprus.
Section, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495A, as added Pub. L. 94–276, §2, Apr. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 397, related to relief and rehabilitation for people victimized by recent earthquakes in Guatemala.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of Repeal
Repeal effective Oct. 1, 1978, see section 605 of Pub. L. 95–424, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 2151 of this title.
Section 2292h, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495B, as added Pub. L. 94–329, title IV, §415, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 761; amended Pub. L. 95–88, title I, §120, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 541; Pub. L. 96–525, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 3043, authorized appropriations for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for Italy.
Section 2292i, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495C, as added Pub. L. 94–329, title IV, §416, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 762; amended Pub. L. 95–424, title V, §502(d)(1), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 959, authorized relief and rehabilitation assistance for Lebanon.
Section 2292j, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495D, as added Pub. L. 95–21, Apr. 18, 1977, 91 Stat. 48; amended Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, §734(a)(1), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1560, authorized relief and rehabilitation assistance for Romania.
Section 2292k, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495E, formerly §495D, as added Pub. L. 95–88, title I, §121, Aug. 3, 1977, 91 Stat. 541; renumbered §495E, Pub. L. 95–424, title I, §119(1), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 953, requested use of funds for relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction assistance for Turkey.
Section 2292l, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495F, as added Pub. L. 95–424, title I, §119(2), Oct. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 953; amended Pub. L. 96–53, title I, §116, Aug. 14, 1979, 93 Stat. 365; Pub. L. 96–533, title IV, §405, Dec. 16, 1980, 94 Stat. 3150, authorized rehabilitation and resettlement assistance for Africa.
Section 2292m, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495G, as added Pub. L. 96–109, §1, Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 842, authorized special Caribbean hurricane relief assistance.
Section 2292n, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495H, as added Pub. L. 96–110, §2, Nov. 13, 1979, 93 Stat. 843; amended Pub. L. 97–113, title VII, §734(a)(1), Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1560; Pub. L. 110–246, title III, §3001(b)(1)(A), (2)(Q), June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1820, authorized disaster relief assistance for Cambodia.
Section 2292o, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495I, as added Pub. L. 97–113, title V, §504, Dec. 29, 1981, 95 Stat. 1540, authorized assistance for displaced persons in Central America.
Section 2292p, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495J, as added Pub. L. 97–208, June 30, 1982, 96 Stat. 138, authorized emergency relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction assistance for Lebanon.
Section 2292q, Pub. L. 87–195, pt. I, §495K, as added Pub. L. 99–8, §2, Apr. 2, 1985, 99 Stat. 21, authorized African famine assistance.