FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT MAKES DONATION TO OXFAM
… in support of the charity’s work in Iraq
LONDON, June 18, 2003 – Falkland Islands Government (FIG) donates £1,000 to Oxfam GB in support of the charity’s work in Iraq, continuing its pledge to help relieve human suffering and crisis situations around the world.
Oxfam’s relief programme in Iraq is focused around emergency work on water supply and sanitation systems, with its teams based in Baghdad, Basra and Nassiriyah, and a western and central Iraq team making assessment visits from Jordan.
The charity reports a high risk of disease outbreak in Iraq as the health, water and sanitation situation remains chronic, and it is preparing for a possible cholera outbreak. Fifty one cases of cholera in Basra were reported by end of May 2003. Drugs are few and too expensive, so people are not going to clinics for treatment.
Councillor Richard Cockwell, FIG said: "We may be a small island community, but we feel greatly for the suffering of others around the world and hope our donation will contribute to improving the lives of a great number of people in Iraq."
The Falkland Islands has a resident population of 2,379 people (2001 Census) which, over the last twelve months, has campaigned and fund-raised more than £27,000 to support various charities and good causes, both locally and overseas. This includes £1,200 for the ‘Give A Quid for An Iraqi Kid’ campaign launched by The Sun newspaper and backed in the Islands by the local radio station, Falkland Islands Broadcasting Service.
In turn, over the last twelve months Falkland Islands Government (FIG) has helped nearly thirty charities, associations and institutions with donations of more than £100,000. Most recently this includes a £3,000 donation to WaterAid for its work in Bangladesh.
For more information about the Falkland Islands visit www.falklandislands.com.
For full details of Oxfam’s work in Iraq visit: www.oxfam.org.uk Since 1982, the Falkland Islands has become one of the most modern, dynamic Overseas Territories of the United Kingdom, economically self-sufficient in all areas except defence. Some £22million revenue is generated from the Falkland Islands fisheries industry each year, of which £6m is spent on catch and conservation monitoring, research and administration. Explorations to establish an independent Port Authority are currently underway alongside a review of the fishing license system and possible development of fisheries on shore through creation of a new deep-water port, cold stores and an on-shore processing plant. Tourism is a growing as people are drawn to the Islands unspoiled, remote location, clean air, abundant wildlife (there are over 70 different breeding species including five species of penguin and 80% of the world’s breeding population of Black-Browed albatross) as well as sea-trout or mullet fishing. It is an increasingly popular stop for cruise ships embarking on South American and Antarctic itineraries too. The first Islands-only cruise is operated by Quark Expeditions. Visit FITB’s website for more information: www.tourism.org.fk The Islands population has risen from 1,800 in 1982 to nearly 2,400 in 2001 (Census).
