New York, NY 25 Jun 2008 - The Jolie-Pitt Foundation has announced $1 million in donations for children impacted by the Iraq crisis, including $200,000 to support International Rescue Committee education programs for children living in volatile areas of southern Iraq.
“This generous donation will help restore vital education services for Iraqi children whose schooling was disrupted by ongoing violence,” said George Rupp, president of the IRC.
“Once again, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are showing their commitment to aid innocent and ordinary people whose lives have been turned upside down by conflict,” Rupp said. “We hope their dedication will inspire others to help Iraqi families in need."
The funding will help the IRC rehabilitate three rundown and overcrowded schools in Najaf and Karbala that are struggling to accommodate influxes of displaced Iraqi children. The gift will also be used to provide catch-up classes for children who have missed schooling due to violence and safe recreational areas for children to play.
"These educational support programs for children of conflict are the best way to help them heal," said Angelina Jolie in announcing the donation.
"We hope to encourage others to give to these great organizations," Brad Pitt added.
The IRC currently works with local partners in north, central and southern Iraq, as well as Jordan and Syria to deliver critical humanitarian aid for many of the 4 million Iraqis who have been uprooted by years of crisis.
The IRC also works with the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, of which Angelina Jolie is a co-chair along with Gene Sperling. The initiative, launched in 2007, aims to improve access to education for children in emergencies. Its initial campaigns are focusing on Iraq and Darfur, Sudan.
Last year, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation donated more than $300,000 to support the IRC’s life-saving relief programs for Darfur refugees.
For more information, visit theIRC.org/educatingchildren
To Help
Make a gift to support IRC programs for Iraqi children
Media Contact
Melissa Winkler, melissa.winkler@theIRC.org or 646-734-0305
