This Report to Congress presents an update on the work of the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program for the time period June 2007 through August 2008.
For the reporting period June 2007 through August 2008 the International Terrorism Victim Expense Reimbursement Program (ITVERP) received 40 applications for assistance related to 201 acts of international terrorism in multiple locations including Nairobi, Kenya; Bali, Indonesia; Cairo, Egypt; and Davao City, the Philippines. Of the 40 applications received during this period, 13 were paid an average of $15,104.06, for a total reimbursement of $196,352.20, 18 were in process, 5 were denied, and 4 became inactive due to a lack of response by the claimant. In addition, during this time period, staff at the ITVERP Resource Center responded to 278 calls and 33 email inquiries dealing with application requests, eligibility requirements, assistance with the application process, and other issues. ITVERP was created in 2000 through an amendment to the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 to provide centralized financial assistance to victims of international terrorism and their families. The program is funded through the Antiterrorism Emergency Reserve and is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime. The program allows OVC to reimburse victims or eligible family members for expenses that include medical, mental health, property loss, funeral and burial expenses, and other miscellaneous expenses. Included in this report are: an explanation of the procedures for filing and processing applications for reimbursement; a complete statistical analysis of the assistance provided under the program; and a description of the procedures and policies instituted to promote public awareness of the program. An analysis of future program needs and suggested program improvements is also included. Appendixes, figures, and tables