NEW YORK, 23 May 2003 - UNICEF thanked
the Japanese government for its generous gift of $10.2 million for Iraq
to be used in the rebuilding and supply of schools devastated by the war.
The funds will go toward 70 schools
in the country, 30 in the Baghdad and 40 in the southern towns of Mosul
and Najaf. The donation will also be used to purchase essential supplies
for the schools and students and provide teacher training.
It is expected that nearly one million children will benefit from the donation.
For further information, please contact:
Geoffrey Keele, Communication Officer,
UNICEF Iraq Tel: 873-762-869-918 Sat: 882-165-420-1806
Gordon Weiss, UNICEF New York, Tel: ++ 212 326-7426