Project HOPE Commends the U.S. & United Nations for Issuing Historic Humanitarian Sanction Exceptions

Washington, DC (20 December 2022) – Project HOPE – the global health and humanitarian aid organization – applauds the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for enacting robust humanitarian sanction exceptions today that will allow for Project HOPE and other humanitarian organizations to more effectively provide critical, lifesaving relief to vulnerable people living under sanctioned regimes.

“All too often, organizations like ours are hamstrung when trying to help those who need us most due to sanctions that inadvertently hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” said Rabih Torbay, President and Chief Executive Officer of Project HOPE. “Today’s move by the U.S. Department of the Treasury is an exciting and necessary step to remove the barriers that have unintentionally punished innocent civilians living under sanctioned regime rule, enabling us to provide more timely and effective lifesaving support to vulnerable people around the globe.”

The U.S. is the first country to act on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2664 – which was co-drafted by the U.S. and Ireland and adopted earlier this month – to better facilitate the delivery of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid while upholding sanctions against malicious actors. In doing so, the U.S. has made a historic commitment to advance humanitarian aid delivery, enabling organizations like Project HOPE to provide disaster relief, health services, and medicines and medical devices to those in need without fear of violating sanctions.

Project HOPE stands ready to support the health needs of vulnerable people wherever they reside, while continuing to respect sanctions that promote global peace and security.

To schedule an interview, please contact Courtney Ridgway: media@projecthope.org

About Project HOPE
Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leading global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries around the world. We work side-by-side with local health systems to save lives and improve health. Our mission is at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information on Project HOPE and its work around the world, visitwww.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on Twitter@ProjectHOPEorg