Israel to donate $5 million in aid to refugees in Darfur and Chad
The Foreign Ministry intends to implement a $5 million aid plan for Darfur refugees in the near future.The recommendations for aid where submitted to Foreign Ministry Director General Aharon Abramovitch, and they must be approved by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. The aid will consist of budget funds as well as contributions.
Abramovitch recently instructed several departments in the ministry to prepare a plan to increase Israeli aid to the victims of genocide in Darfur.
The ministry's team in charge of the issue of aid to Darfur refugees, headed by Daniel Miron, head of the Human Rights department, presented a detailed report with its recommendations. The report consisted of a plan to significantly increase aid by official Israeli bodies to refugees in Darfur.
The document said Israel could not operate officially within Chad, due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries, and warned that "Israeli experts sent there could become targets for violence." As an alternative, the plan recommends Israel "join the existing international effort" in Chad by donating substantial funds.
According to the plan, Israel will transmit $4 million to four aid organizations - the United Nations Refugee Agency, the UN Children's Fund, the World Food Program, and the Red Cross.
The report states that such a contribution will place Israel among the "10 largest donators to Chad refugees in the world in 2007."
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