Dutch National Postcode Lottery donates 1.35 million euros to UNHCR

LAREN, the Netherlands, February 10 (UNHCR) - The Dutch Postcode Lottery yesterday donated 1.35 million euros to the UN refugee agency. This generous contribution is for use in UNHCR projects around the world over the coming year.

At a gala event attended by Princess Maxima of the Netherlands in the town of Laren on Wednesday, the Postcode Lottery's Managing Director Marieke van Schaik handed over a symbolic cheque to UNHCR.

External Relations Officer Sophie De Jonckheere, who accepted the cheque for UNHCR, thanked the Postcode Lottery for its continuing support. "I can assure you that the funds will help refugees whose needs are greatest," she said.

UNHCR has been a regular beneficiary of the lottery in recent years and has received annual donations worth a total of 13.8 million euros since 2002. UNHCR has also been a beneficiary of the Swedish Postcode Lottery since 2010.

At Wednesday's ceremony, the Postcode Lottery announced that this year it was donating more than 270 million euros to 83 beneficiaries. Half of its turnover goes to organizations active in the fields of development cooperation, human rights, nature preservation and social cohesion.