The United States Congress has once again shown steady support to the people of Tibet by the provision of approximately US$19 million (£15 million) to support Tibet programmes through the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 (HR1865), reports the International Campaign for Tibet (ICT)*. The report stated that the bill was passed by the House of Representatives on October 28 and by the Senate on November 12 then signed by President Donald Trump on December 20, 2019.
Washington-based non-government organisation (NGO) ICT reports that the Further Consolidated Appropriation Act, 2020 Budget provides over US$8 million (£6 million) grants, via Tibetan NGOs, to support activities that preserve cultural traditions and promote sustainable development, education and environmental conservation in Tibetan communities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and in other Tibetan communities in the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
It has also provided US$6 million (£4.5 million) for programmes to promote and preserve Tibetan culture and language in refugee and exile Tibetan communities; development and the resilience of Tibetan communities and the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in India and Nepal, and to assist in the education and development of the next generation of Tibetan leaders from these communities. Over US$3 million (£2.3 million) is allocated for programmes to strengthen the capacity of the CTA. The funding is dependent on the funds being administered by the United States Agency for International Development.
Another US$2 million (£1.5 million) is allocated for humanitarian assistance for Tibetan refugees in Nepal and India; Cultural Tibetan exchange and fellowship programmes; funding for the office of the Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues at the State Department and funding for broadcasting into Tibet by Radio Free Asia and Voice of America. The National Endowment for Democracy provides grants from funds allocated by US Congress to support the democratic aspirations of people all over the world, including the Tibetan people.
“While these programmes are a minuscule part of America’s overall foreign aid budget, this investment yields big dividends for Tibetans and their efforts to preserve their culture and identity in the face of China’s oppression,” said ICT President Matteo Mecacci.
“The Central Tibetan Administration would like to express its deep gratitude and thank the US government and Congress once again for their generous assistance towards the Tibetan community,” said Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, CTA President.
The United States has been providing funding support for the Tibetan people both inside and outside Tibet since 1988 through humanitarian assistance, economic development, educational assistance and other efforts.
*The International Campaign for Tibet works worldwide to help Tibetans in their peaceful struggle for democracy and human rights, and seeks to preserve Tibet’s ancient culture of wisdom.
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