Pavarotti benefit for Afghan refugee children

U.N. Messenger for Peace Luciano Pavarotti has agreed to organize a benefit concert for Afghan refugee children in Pakistan, to be held in Modena, Italy, on May 29. The benefit concert by Pavarotti and Friends should raise significant contributions for UNHCR's programmes aiding Afghan refugee children in Pakistan and will help to further increase the public's awareness of the plight of these victims of Afghanistan's long conflict. Both the Secretary-General and High Commissioner Lubbers are very grateful for the initiative shown by U.N. Messenger for Peace Pavarotti and friends in supporting UNHCR in its mission to help Afghan refugee children. Pavarotti estimates that some $1.5 million should be raised by the concert, in addition to funds that will be collected during the gala evening.