MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce the allocation of $6.5 million of Australian funds
to meet ongoing humanitarian and recovery needs in Iraq.
These allocations, drawn from the Government's $38 million commitment to the
UN Flash Appeal requirements for Iraq, will provide funds to the UN Mine Action
Service (UNMAS) to support early assessment of landmines and unexploded ordnance
throughout Iraq and allow Australian NGOs to assist in recovery efforts,
principally in the areas of water and sanitation, health and mine awareness.
Australia's will provide $1.5 million to UNMAS. Although the conflict has
ceased, landmines and unexploded ordnance remain as a continuing and deadly
threat to the Iraqi civilian population. The vast majority of mines were laid by
Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war between 1980 and 1988, and again in
1991. Many were directed against his own people. Their removal is also critical
to successful delivery of humanitarian assistance as well as longer-term
rehabilitation work.
Australia's support, which was urgently sought by UNMAS for mine mapping and
assessment, will include the early placement of an Australian de-mining expert
within UNMAS's mine action coordination team.
Australia has also allocated $5 million to allow Australian NGOs, in
partnership with UN organisations to assist in recovery efforts, principally in
the areas of water and sanitation, health and mine awareness. Funding
includes:
- $3 million to CARE Australia - for restoration of public water supply
systems and treatment and removal of sewage in central and southern Iraq, and
awareness programs addressing issues of landmines and unexploded ordnance - $1.2 million to World Vision Australia - to restore water, sanitation and
environmental health conditions in primary schools in northern and western
Iraq - $800,000 to Save the Children Australia - for support to eight paediatric
hospitals across Iraq, to assist in the management of infectious
diseases.
Mr Downer is in Baghdad today as part of his visit to the Middle East.
Contacts:
Chris Kenny (Minister's office) (02) 6277 7500 or 0419 206 890 (nb - no
voicemail service available - text messages only)
Dominic Morice (AusAID) (02) 6206 4220 or 0417 683 126