13 February 2003
U.N. Stepping Up Aid Plans for Iraq
(Wants $90 million in supplies in place in case of war) (610) By Judy Aita Washington File United Nations Correspondent United Nations -- The U.N. has stepped up its planning to provide emergency humanitarian aid in Iraq in case of war, U.N. officials said February 13. Kenzo Oshima, U.N. emergency aid coordinator, said the United Nations began in December contingency planning for the possibility of a war in Iraq, with an initial appeal for $37 million to enable U.N. agencies to begin purchasing and pre-positioning supplies. The U.N. will now be asking donors for another $90 million to ensure that the agencies will have enough food, medicine, drinking water and tents on hand to initially provide assistance for about one million Iraqi civilians. The U.N. has received $30 million in pledges to date, more than $15 million from the United States, he said. The costs are for preparedness only and would not cover requirements should a conflict occur, Oshima said. In case of war, the U.N. will issue a new appeal. "The position of the United Nations on this issue is that the secretary general does not believe that war is inevitable," Oshima said at a press conference after a private meeting with the 15 members of the Security Council. "The secretary general continues to believe that inspections can work and that all avenues should be explored to find a peaceful solution, but it is also important to underline that it is the responsibility of the United Nations to be ready for any contingency in Iraq as, indeed, anywhere else." Contingency planning, Oshima said, "is a matter of prudence." While the needs of the people would depend on the nature, intensity, and duration of conflict which is unpredictable at this time, the U.N. is trying to make sure that it will be able to alleviate suffering and provide life-saving assistance. In addition, parties to the conflict, he said, "would be expected to meet their obligations to protect and assist civilian populations under humanitarian law." Assuming a "medium case scenario," the U.N. estimates that up to ten million people, including internally displaced persons and refugees, may require food assistance during and immediately after the conflict. Up to two million people may be internally displaced, Oshima said. He pointed out that currently there are 1.1 million people already internally displaced in Iraq. The U.N. also expects between 600,000 and 1.45 million refugees and asylum seekers. Approximately 50 percent of the population may be without access to potable water, he said. The U.N. has already begun placing supplies within Iraq and in neighboring countries, Oshima said. Food for 250,000 people for ten weeks has been pre-positioned, with a target of getting enough food in place for 900,000. Also included in the planning are hygiene and emergency water and sanitation supplies for about 300,000 people, high protein biscuits for 240,000 children to be distributed through hospitals and health care centers, and emergency heath kits for 240,000 -- with hopes of getting enough for one million. Shelter material for 118,000 people and other such supplies for 350,000 people have been ordered and should be in place by the end of March, he said. The overall target for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to have enough shelter materials in place for 600,000 people, which is at the lower end of the estimated number of refugees. U.N. agencies also have deployed emergency field personnel around the region and opened new sub offices in key locations, Oshima reported. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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