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Iraqi Freedom coalition readies humanitarian aide

USMC News

Story Identification Number: 200332555837
Story by Gunnery Sgt. Charles Portman,

CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar(March 23, 2003) -- The U.S.-led coalition fighting to disarm the Iraqi regime is poised to open massive channels of humanitarian assistance for the Iraqi people.

At a press briefing here yesterday, U.S. Central Command Operations Deputy Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks said millions of meals, medicine and other supplies for the Iraqi people are pre-positioned and ready for distribution.

"Our humanitarian work in Iraq is beginning," Brig. Gen. Brooks said. During the briefing he presented a video of a warehouse stocked full of humanitarian daily rations. "We are already preparing to push (the rations) forward as they are required."

The strategic Umm Qasr port in Southern Iraq was secured yesterday afternoon by forces from the U.S 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the 3rd Commando Brigade Royal Marines from the United Kingdom.

British Royal Marine Lt. Col. Jamie Marton said the port was opened early in the operation to ensure the continued flow of food and humanitarian supplies in to Iraq.

"We are working with the international community to get humanitarian aid where it is needed most," Marton said.

A news release distributed at the Camp As Sayliyah media center said initially, coalition forces will manage and operate the Umm Qasr port with Iraqi civil laborers. Coalition forces plan to move humanitarian aid with the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other non-governmental agencies like the World Food Program.

"WFP is gearing up for potentially the largest humanitarian operation in its history," said agency spokesperson Khaled Mansour, at a Mar. 21 press briefing in Amman, Jordan.

"With the majority of the Iraqi population set to run out of food in less than six weeks, the cost of covering their basic food needs could amount to over one billion US dollars."

To date, WFP has received about $44 million from various donors, including $40 million from the United States. "This has allowed the agency to secure sufficient food to cover the needs of two million people for one month," Mansour said.

Gen. Tommy Franks, commander of Operation Iraqi Freedom, said yesterday one of his military objectives is "to end sanctions and to immediately deliver humanitarian support to the displaced, and to many needy Iraqi citizens."