The European Commission (EC) has released a first contribution from the EU budget for reconstruction activities in Iraq.
The €29 million, part of the €200 million pledged by European External Affairs Commissioner Chris Patten at the Madrid Donors Conference, will support the UNDP, UNICEF and WHO's efforts to rehabilitate basic social services in Iraq - water and sanitation, education and health - and to implement livelihood and income generating schemes for the Iraqi people.
At the Madrid Donor's Conference, which took place on October 23 to 24, 2003 the EU pledged a total of €1.24 billion for reconstruction in Iraq, including more than € 600 million for 2004. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
