The United States announced on Friday a contribution of additional 40.7 million dollars toward the 2006 operations of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

Ellen Sauerbrey, U.S. assistant secretary of state for population, refugees, and migration, informed High Commissioner Antonio Guterres of the contribution on Friday, the State Department said in a statement.

"This will bring total U.S. contributions to UNHCR worldwide activities for calendar year 2006 to more than 274 million dollars, " the statement said.

A major portion of the contribution, or 20 million dollars, will go to UNHCR activities in Africa and another 5.7 million dollars will be dedicated to UNHCR programs in Central Asia, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

The statement also urged other donors in the world to strengthen efforts to assist and protect refugees throughout the world by supporting UNHCR programs.

Source: Xinhua