Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=3/21/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / REFUGEES (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-301086

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

/// EDITORS: THIS SPOT MAY HOLD UP FOR WEEKEND USE ///

INTRO: International relief organizations are bracing for what they say could be a humanitarian crisis in Iraq. Food supplies and medical facilities are expected to be disrupted by the military advance. As V-O-A correspondent Gary Thomas reports from the United Nations, that could set off a massive flow of refugees fleeing the fighting.

TEXT: U-N relief officials say in the initial days of conflict, there has been no mass movement of refugees trying to flee to countries bordering Iraq. But they warn that situation could quickly change.

They note that the 1991 Gulf war sparked a humanitarian crisis in which more than a million Iraqis fled to neighboring countries, most of them to Iran. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, or U-N-H-C-R, says that between March and May of that tragic year, more than 500 Iraqis a day died of hunger, starvation and illness in the remote regions bordering Turkey and Iran.

The U-N-H-C-R is trying to gear up for the potential emergency. Food, shelter, and medical supplies must be procured. But relief workers are hampered by the unknowables, where the refugees may run to, and how many there might be.

Eric Morris, Director of the U-N-H-C-R office at U-N Headquarters in New York, says much of the Iraqi population is dependent on the government for basic survival.

// MORRIS ACT //

In terms of possible movement of populations, there are any number of factors that will be at play. But one of the most important in case of Iraq is that it's my understanding that vast majority of the population is almost totally dependent on food and other supplies, including medical care, through government outlets.

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That aid is doled out under the Oil for Food program. Set up under a 1995 U-N Security Council resolution, the program allows Iraqi oil be sold to procure humanitarian aid for the Iraqi people. But, with the outbreak of hostilities, the program is suspended. Efforts are now under way at the United Nations to retool the program to meet the current situation.

U-N-H-C-R is initially planning for a flow of some 600-thousand refugees a planning figure far below the numbers seen in 1991. That will cost, Mr. Morris says, some 154 million dollars for six months.

The U-N agency does not keep much on the hand in the way of standby supplies or funds. It must appeal for aid each time. But so far, Mr. Morris reports, only some 20 million dollars has been raised for Iraqi refugee relief efforts, leading to what he labels a "very significant shortfall."

// MORRIS ACT //

A U-N agency, unlike a government, does not have standby civil defense capacity. We don't. We have some stockpiles, we have some emergency teams available. But in terms of the resources, monetary resources, virtually nothing. So we've been saying, we need preparedness. And we need money for preparedness. And that's why to date it's been quite frustrating.

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The High Commissioner, Ruud Lubbers, has urged neighboring countries to keep their borders open. Iranian authorities have said repeatedly they will seal the border in the event of war. However, U-N-H-C-R says it has received assurances from Iran that it will allow refugees in if lives are in danger.

U-N officials say talks are also under way with U-S authorities to ensure access for relief workers and supplies to areas in Iraq that come under U-S military control. (signed)

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