Assistant Secretary Ellen Sauerbrey Visits Jordan

Amman, Jordan, August 28, 2007: Ellen Sauerbrey, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, announced that the U.S. is contributing $30 million to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to provide educational opportunities for Iraqi children in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt.

The U.S. donation will enable these international organizations to help displaced Iraqi students with tuition, books, supplies and uniforms, help fund teacher’s salaries, build new schools and upgrade existing schools to accommodate the larger student bodies.

Assistant Secretary  made the announcement at a public event in a Jordanian public school, the West Shmeisani Girls School, on August 28, 2007. For the announcement she was accompanied by UNICEF Representative in Amman, Anne Skatvedt; UNHCR Representative Imran Riza; an interpreter;  the Minister of Education and Scientific Research Khalid Touqan; and a local Jordan school official.

In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Sauerbrey noted, “When traveling in the region in the spring, I was alarmed that so many Iraqi children were unable to attend school. This is a major problem for these children and for the future of Iraq. A well-educated Iraqi population will also strengthen the region as these children become the future leaders of Iraq….I am convinced that educating Iraqi children is one of the most critical ingredients for a peaceful and prosperous Iraq.”

Sauerbrey also commended the Government of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for its decision to permit all Iraqi children in Jordan access to Jordanian public schools in time for the start of school in August. Following the announcement, Assistant Secretary Sauerbrey chatted with various school girls and visited a class room. (Photos courtesy of Department of State).