Balearics provide humanitarian aid for Iraq

THE Balearics have provided humanitarian aid totalling 129'000 euros for Iraq, according to Rafael Rodriguez Ponga, secretary general of the Spanish International Co-operation Agency. In all, Spain has provided 10.38 million euros in aid.
Rodríguez Ponga, who was appearing before a Congress committee, said that the amount of aid would be increased, and has been channelled through his agency and various non-governmental organisations. Andalucia topped the list for aid, donating 5.5 million euros, and, Rodríguez Ponga said, it hoped to reach the ten million euro mark.
Next was Navarre with one million euros, Madrid with 900'000 euros and Galicia with 750'000 euros.
The regional government's provided 9.2 million euros, while the provincial councils of Almeria, Cuenca and Soria donated 32'000 euros, and the Andalucian Federation of municipalities and provinces 1.13 million euros. Among the approved projects and organisations were the Adventist Agency for Development, which received 480'000 euros; the Spanish Red Cross, one million euros; the Ibero-American Europe Foundation, 600'000 euros; the Humanism and Democracy Foundation, 130'000 euros and Messengers of Peace, 300'000 euros. The Adventist Agency helps the Kurdish population in the north of Iraq, providing food, clothing, medicine and helping to reconstruct housing.