29 July 2011
Amman
UNRWA 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 UNRWA 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 UNRWA’s care.
Welcoming the contribution, UNRWA 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 UNRWA 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 puts Iraq among the top Arab donors to UNRWA's regular annual budget.
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