The first grants of the $1 billion gift that Time Warner Vice Chairman Ted Turner has pledged to donate to the U.N. will be used to support welfare and health programs in poor countries, the fund's director said Wednesday.

Most of the grants totaling $22 million will contribute to the programs of the U.N. Population Fund and the U.N. Children's Fund, also known as UNICEF. About three quarters of the amount will be used to disarm children soldiers, fight violence against women, help land mine victims and improve health services.

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