Global perspective Human stories

UN reparations panel for Kuwait invasion pays out $610 million

UN reparations panel for Kuwait invasion pays out $610 million

A destroyed Iraqi battle tank amidst other vehicles on the highway between Kuwait City and Basra, Iraq in April 1991
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), which settles the damage claims of those who suffered losses due to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, today made $610 million available to 10 successful claimants.

The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC), which settles the damage claims of those who suffered losses due to Iraq’s 1990 invasion of Kuwait, today made $610 million available to 10 successful claimants.

The latest round of payments brings the total amount of compensation disbursed by the Commission to individuals, corporations, governments and international organizations to more than $28 billion, according to a press release issued today.

The vast majority of funds for compensation payments have come from the sale of Iraqi petroleum under the so-called Oil-for-Food programme, which came to an end in 2003, and later within the scope of arrangements made under Security Council resolutions.

Established in 1991 as a subsidiary organ of the Council, the Commission has received nearly 3 million claims, including from close to 100 governments for themselves, their nationals or their corporations.

The Geneva-based UNCC’s Governing Council has identified six categories of claims: four are for individuals’ claims, one for corporations and one for governments and international organizations, which also includes claims for environmental damage.