Russia will contribute up to $1 million to
the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation for the
conservation and maintenance of the site of the
former Nazi concentration camp.

Russia’s pledge was reported Tuesday by the
Polskie Radio website, which cited a statement
issued by the Russian Embassy in Warsaw.
Support for the project, the statement said, is “a
common moral duty as it serves the mission of
preserving the memory of the huge number of
victims of the Nazi camp and of other crimes
against humanity.”

The 4-year-old foundation is working to raise
nearly $160 million for a perpetuity fund to
continue to maintain the site. Twenty-four
countries have contributed thus far. Germany has
contributed $80 million, followed by the United
States with $15 million. Poland, where the camp
is located, has promised about $13 million,
according to Polskie Radio.

Some 155 buildings on the site are in need of
repair. The money is needed as well for
conservation projects such as the Auschwitz-
Birkenau archives, documents and objects in the
museum collection.

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