- News>
- World
Japan becomes UNICEF`s highest donor for Iraq relief efforts
United Nations, June 03: Japan has become the United Nations children`s fund`s top donor for Iraq relief efforts with an assistance of 10.2 million dollars this week for reopening schools in the war-torn country, bringing its total contributions to more than 15 million dollars, the world body has announced.
United Nations, June 03: Japan has become the United Nations children`s fund`s top donor for Iraq relief efforts with an assistance of 10.2 million dollars this week for reopening schools in the war-torn country, bringing its total contributions to more than 15 million dollars, the world body has announced.
"We are delighted that Japan has responded so quickly
and so generously to the urgent needs of Iraqi children”,
UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy said in a statement.
"The needs are very urgent and we are grateful for this strong and early support”, Bellamy added.
Most of Iraq`s 8,500 schools need repairs or clean-up, and another 5,000 need to be built to accommodate all of the country`s 12 million school-age children. At present, a shortage of safe school facilities and trained teachers force many schools to operate on shifts.
Poor hygiene and sanitation in primary schools is also a serious concern. Less than half of all primary schools have access to potable water, UNICEF said.
UNICEF has begun delivering the first of more than 50,000 `school-in-a-box` kits to classrooms across Iraq. Each kit contains learning supplies and teaching aids to meet the needs of 80 children.
When the deliveries are completed, UNICEF will have provided supplies like pencils, notepads and slate boards for some four million children in primary schools.
Japan`s latest gift will help more than one million children in three cities. About 3.5 million dollars of the donation will be used to help rehabilitate 70 schools - 30 in Baghdad and 40 in the south of the country. The bulk of the funds, some 6.2 million dollars, will help in buying teaching and learning supplies, UNICEF said.
Bureau Report
"The needs are very urgent and we are grateful for this strong and early support”, Bellamy added.
Most of Iraq`s 8,500 schools need repairs or clean-up, and another 5,000 need to be built to accommodate all of the country`s 12 million school-age children. At present, a shortage of safe school facilities and trained teachers force many schools to operate on shifts.
Poor hygiene and sanitation in primary schools is also a serious concern. Less than half of all primary schools have access to potable water, UNICEF said.
UNICEF has begun delivering the first of more than 50,000 `school-in-a-box` kits to classrooms across Iraq. Each kit contains learning supplies and teaching aids to meet the needs of 80 children.
When the deliveries are completed, UNICEF will have provided supplies like pencils, notepads and slate boards for some four million children in primary schools.
Japan`s latest gift will help more than one million children in three cities. About 3.5 million dollars of the donation will be used to help rehabilitate 70 schools - 30 in Baghdad and 40 in the south of the country. The bulk of the funds, some 6.2 million dollars, will help in buying teaching and learning supplies, UNICEF said.
Bureau Report