Italy: 'Pavarotti and Friends' raise US$2 million

Briefing notes

Italy: 'Pavarotti and Friends' raise US$2 million

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

12 June 2001

A benefit concert held in Modena, Italy, on May 29 by the world-famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti and other celebrities has helped raise more than US $2 million for Afghan refugee children in squalid camps in Pakistan. Roughly half of the amount comes from ticket sales to the "Pavarotti and Friends" concert. The other half comes from individuals across Italy who donated money to UNHCR in the during and after the televised concert. UNHCR appreciates this latest demonstration of generosity by the Italian public - traditionally the strongest supporter for UNHCR in terms of private donations.