White House: 51 companies pledge $650M in refugee support

Supporters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe rally in opposition of the Dakota Access oil pipeline in front of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Washington. AP

NEW YORK — The White House says more than four dozen U.S. businesses are pledging $650 million in support to help some of the world’s refugees.

More than 6 million refugees in more than 20 countries stand to benefit from the assistance announced Tuesday as President Barack Obama was set to host a special summit on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York.

Fifty-one social media, financial services and other companies are committing to provide refugees with access to education, employment and financial services.

Obama is hosting a refugee summit with the leaders of Jordan, Mexico, Sweden, Germany, Canada and Ethiopia, and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Countries are also expected to announce pledges to help increase humanitarian aid, double resettlement and provide access to jobs and education. TVJ