MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce Australia has allocated the majority of its
$38million contribution to the UN Flash Appeal for Iraq and associated
activities, with a strong focus on meeting critical needs in water, sanitation
and health.
The Government will immediately allocate $30m of our $38m commitment to the
UN appeal and associated activities to help provide urgent humanitarian relief.
The remaining $8 million will be allocated to the Flash Appeal following
further detailed assessments of the emerging critical needs.
The allocation follows a UN request to redirect $38m of Australian aid funds
from the purchase of Australian wheat for Iraq to alternative urgent
humanitarian relief under the Flash Appeal.
Australia's initial appeal contribution will consist of:
$7.5m to UNICEF for water and sanitation, maternal/child health, nutrition
and trauma programs;
$7.5m to International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) for water,
sanitation and health programs. ICRC is a key agency closely associated with
the UN appeal;
$4m to UN joint logistics for coordinating sharing of services and
information;
$3m to assist WFP food aid distribution while the Oil for Food program
mechanisms are re-established;
$3m to World Health Organisation for disease control and prevention and
environmental health support; and
$5m to established Australian NGOs identified as implementing partners of UN
agencies under the appeal, including CARE Australia (water and sanitation, and
food delivery) and World Vision (water and sanitation, and shelter).
In total Australia has committed $100m to humanitarian relief and
reconstruction support for the people of Iraq.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890
Jo Elsom (AusAID) (02) 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489