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UNHCR receives record level pledges for 2003

[Tanzania] Burundi refugees loading belongings onto truck, before being repatriated, Lukole A camp IRIN
Burundi refugees from Lukole A camp, Tanzania, boarding a UNHCR truck before repatriation
    NAIROBI

    The United Nations refugee agency has received a record US $317 million in pledges for 2003, amounting to one third of its overall projected requirements for the year.

    The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on Tuesday that the pledges, which were made in response to its 2003 Global Appeal, were seen as a "good early signal" of donor support.

    "These initial pledges are higher than ever and they are generally more flexible - a sign that the donors heeded our call for early pledges with less earmarking for specific regions," Anne Willem Bijleveld, UNHCR's Director of Communications and Information, said.

    Despite the pledges for next year, High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers added that a shortfall of about $25 million was still faced for this year. "There is an urgent need to receive this amount," he said.

    Africa was the most needy area for 2003, requiring a total of $325 million, UNHCR said. It added that $112.8 million was required for East and the Horn of Africa, $84.8 million for West Africa, $82.5 million for the Great Lakes region and $38 million for southern Africa.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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