MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australia will provide $1.03 million to the International Organisation for
Migration (IOM) to assist displaced Afghans return to their homes.
'The IOM had earlier been forced to suspend its internal transport networks
because of funding shortages, due in part to larger than expected numbers of
returnees', the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Gallus
said.
'New funding pledges from Australia and other donors means the transport
networks may now resume'.
Australia has also recently made further allocations to Afghanistan to assist
with recovery and reconstruction in the following areas:
- $4 million for basic education, specifically girls education
- $1 million for agriculture and drug control
- $1.1 million to IOM for the Jangalak Refugee Receiving Centre in Kabul to
provide reception facilities and vocational training for Afghans returning to
their homeland. - $1 million for de-mining activities
- $0.5 million for capacity building in the banking/finance sector
- $0.5 million to be set aside for emerging priorities.
'This brings the total assistance allocated to Afghanistan between September
2001 and July 1 2002 to $44.43 million,' Mrs Gallus said.
Media inquires:
Craig Bildstien (Office of Mrs Gallus) 08 8350 0022 or 0407 604437
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489