UN panel awards $860 million in compensation for Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait

The United Nations panel set up to process claims and pay compensation for losses and damage suffered as a result of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait in 1990-1991 made available today more than $860 million to governments and international organizations for distribution to 370 successful claimants.

The present payment brings the overall amount of compensation made available to date by the UN Compensation Commission (UNCC) to more than $17.5 billion, out of $44 billion so far awarded against more than $150 billion in claims.

Money for the awards come from the UN Compensation Fund, which has received up to 30 per cent of the revenue generated by Iraqi oil exports under the UN’s Oil-for-Food programme.