U.S. Department of State

The Central American countries developed a strategy called “The Plan of the Alliance for Prosperity in the Northern Triangle”, and President Obama decided to support this alliance. And he requested of Congress, I believe for the first time in history, one billion dollars for Central America to support three areas: Prosperity, security and better management processes of the government. Luis Arreaga, responsible for the security area of this suggested initiative speaks about this topic and clarifies the types of programs that are planned to be introduced.

Secretary Kerry announced over $45 million in additional funding to help the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) protect and assist some 600,000 refugees residing in Kenya. The United States applauds the tremendous hospitality of Kenya in providing a safe haven for so many refugees.

The protection and safety of U.S. citizens is a top priority for the Department of State. The security situation on the ground in Yemen has limited the ability of many foreign governments to provide direct assistance to their citizens remaining in Yemen and all on-the-ground consular services for U.S. citizens in Yemen continue to be suspended. U.S. are monitoring the situation closely, and are providing regular updates to the U.S. citizen community in Yemen including up-to-date information about opportunities to depart Yemen.

The United States expressed disapproval of the decision by Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy–Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), to disregard the term-limit provisions of the Arusha Agreement by naming President Pierre Nkurunziza as its candidate for a third presidential term.