Hopes to raise $2bn+ from Donors for Iraq

By John Lee.

Twenty-four countries will take part in a pledging conference in Washington tomorrow, where the United States expects to raise about $2 billion from donor nations to help Iraq with humanitarian assistance, mine removal, jobs, electricity and sanitation.

According to Bloomberg, the event will be attended by Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (pictured).

The United Nations says an $861 million humanitarian appeal for Iraq has only been 38 percent fulfilled.

Last week, Defense Secretary Ash Carter said the U.S. would deploy an additional 560 troops to Iraq  -- it currently has about 3,500 troops in the country.

(Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg)