Iraq promises $25 million in aid for refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) held a two-day conference this week to bring Iraq’s humanitarian crisis to the forefront of the international community’s attention. During the conference, which ended yesterday, the Iraqi government pledged $25 million to assist Iraqi refugees in Syria and Jordan in the form of education, health care and housing assistance, according to a Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty article the same day.

U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Gutteres hailed the pledge as a “major step forward to allow for people to keep their hope alive.” He also said the step is a “major change in the pattern of relations in the region and in the prospects for refugees in the area.”

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon opened the conference by urging U.N. member states to pledge additional assistance. Iraq’s neighbors should also maintain open borders, he added.

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