Claims Conference paid out one billion dollars in restitution in 2004

The Jewish Claims Conference (JCC) distributed more than US$ 1 billion in 2004, the largest single-year payout in its history. The figure was announced on Tuesday at the annual meeting of its board of directors in New York. Over 70 per cent, or US$ 778 million, of the total amount went to Holocaust survivors. An additional US$ 121 million went to heirs of Nazi- looted property, and US$ 45 million was given to account holders or their heirs through the Swiss banks settlement. More than 10 per cent of the funds went to organizations in 41 countries which care for Jewish Holocaust victims or run Holocaust research and education programs. The direct payments to survivors and heirs came from eight different restitution programs administered by JCC.