GMT 12-12-2008
Assyrian International News Agency
Amsterdam (AINA) -- Dutch government officials have allocated 400,000 Euros (510,000 USD) to go directly to Assyrians in Iraq. The amount is taken from the 6 million Euros pledged by the Dutch government in December last year (AINA 12-19-2007); most of the 6 million was distributed to UN agencies working with Iraqis in need.
The 400,000 Euros reserved for Assyrians will be administered by Dutch aid organizations. The main implementing partner in Iraq will be the Assyrian Aid Society, one of the most well organized domestic aid organizations in Iraq, with more than 18 years of experience in the war torn country.
The Assyria Council of Europe, a pan-European advocacy group, welcomed the aid allocated specifically to Assyrians.
"We are pleased by the decision and hope more aid will be channeled directly to independent minority group organizations such as the Assyrian Aid society." said Afram Yakoub of the Assyria Council of Europe. "Most of the international aid does not reach minority areas; it is controlled by the Arab-Kurdish majority, which relocates it to Arab and Kurdish areas in Iraq."
The Dutch aid will be used to implement long term projects in the Nineveh Plain, an area heavily populated by Assyrians.
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