The following is attributable to Acting Spokesperson Clayton M. McCleskey:

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met today with Elhadj As Sy, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Administrator Green thanked the Secretary-General for the IFRC's long partnership with USAID, and praised the IFRC's 17 million volunteers who are working around the world every day to save and improve lives.

In support of the IFRC, USAID recently finalized a new $50 million grant to bolster efforts to combat Zika and malaria and help prepare for future disease outbreaks by sustaining critical investments in global health security.

They also discussed recent cooperation in response to natural disasters in Latin America, as well as USAID's on-going partnership with IFRC in conflict zones, such as South Sudan and Syria. Administrator Green reaffirmed U.S. support for the Red Cross, whose local chapters' ability to respond quickly is critical to saving lives and alleviating suffering in emergencies, and he and the Secretary-General discussed how to deepen cooperation when disaster strikes.

Administrator Green and the Secretary-General emphasized the importance of protecting humanitarians, as they work to save lives in dangerous, difficult environments. They also discussed the need for innovative ways to build resilience and address long-term development in response to the largest displacement of people since World War II.