US Allocates Over $178 Mln Aid For Ethnic, Religious Minorities In Iraq - State Dept.

The United States has pledged to provide more than $178 million in assistance to minority ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, the State Department said in a press release on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th October, 2018) The United States has pledged to provide more than $178 million in assistance to minority ethnic and religious communities in Iraq, the State Department said in a press release on Tuesday.

"[The] United States is proud to announce over $178 million in US foreign assistance to support these vulnerable communities in Iraq," the release said.

With this latest assistance package, the total aid for these groups in Iraq has reached nearly $300 million since fiscal year 2017, according to the State Department.

The largest portion of the aid - $133 million - will be directed toward genocide recovery and persecution response, including meeting urgent needs and assisting in reconstruction of the affected communities.

The United States also allocated nearly $37 million for clearing explosive ordnance, and another $8.5 million for social, economic and political projects.

Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo underscored the US commitment to helping vulnerable Iraqi communities earlier in 2018 during the first-ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, the release said.