Iraq donates $2 million for Palestine refugees

29 July 2011
Amman

±¬ÁÏÍøRWA has received a contribution of US$ 2 million from the Government of Iraq towards the Agency’s core programmes.

Iraq’s resumed contribution to the Agency comes at a time when ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA is facing a chronic deficit in its core budget to provide services such as health, education and relief to the over 4.8 million registered refugees under ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA’s care.

Welcoming the contribution, ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA Commissioner-General, Mr Filippo Grandi said: “We are delighted to receive this donation from the Government of Iraq, a valuable contributor to the Agency in the past. The resumption of annual payments to the Agency comes at a particular time of need for both the Agency and the refugees, and we look forward to deepening this reestablishment of cooperation between ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA and the Republic of Iraq.”

Iraq had previously been a steady supporter to the Agency, contributing in the region of US$ 12 million over the course of the 1980s. The new contribution makes Iraq equal top Arab donor to ±¬ÁÏÍøRWA's regular annual budget.