Press Release
20 March 2008
UK announces additional £15 million for Iraq humanitarian efforts
 International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander today announced that
the UK would contribute £12 million to international humanitarian agencies
operating in Iraq, including £5 million to the
 Consolidated Appeal for Iraq
(CAP). He also announced £3 million for the
UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR)
assistance programme for Iraqi refugees, bringing DFID’s total humanitarian
contribution for Iraq to £15 million this year.
UN agencies recently launched the joint CAP with non-governmental
organisations operating in Iraq to help meet the immediate needs of the Iraqis
most at risk, including those who have been displaced inside the country. The
CAP appeals for funds for a variety of UN agencies and other international and
national aid agencies operating within Iraq.
Douglas Alexander said:
"The UK will become one of the first major donors to provide funding for the
UN-launched CAP. We will make £5 million available immediately, which will help
meet critical needs in food, health care, water and sanitation for those most at
risk.
"In addition, the UK will provide £7 million for other international relief
efforts inside Iraq and £3 million to help the UNHCR continue their activities
in support of Iraqi refugees in the region, including refugee registration,
delivery of much needed financial and legal aid, and improving access to
education and health."
Since 2003, DFID has committed £147 million in humanitarian assistance for
Iraq. This includes support to Iraqi refugees in the Middle East region. Further
assistance will be considered in line with emerging needs.
Notes to editors
- DFID’s assistance to the CAP announced today will include: £2 million to
the
UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for their IMPACT programme to assist IDPs
and vulnerable communities in Iraq; £1.5 million to the International
Organisation for Migration (IOM) for data collection and IDP returnee
monitoring; and £1.5 million for the Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (£1 million of which will be for the Expanded
Humanitarian Response Fund (ERF) for NGOs working in Iraq).
- Estimates show that over two million Iraqis remain displaced inside
Iraq, with a further two million living in neighbouring countries. The CAP
and UNHCR will aim to help all vulnerable groups, including the displaced,
host communities and returnees.
For further information, contact Yasser Mehmood on 020 7023 0620 or 020
7023 0600, e-mail
pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk or call our Public Enquiries Point on 0845 300
4100.
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