Iraq: head of UN humanitarian programme ends month-long visit

Aiming to bolster the United Nations humanitarian work in Iraq, a senior UN official concluded today a month-long visit to the country by meeting in Baghdad with the Iraqi Vice President.

Benon Sevan, the Executive Director of the UN Iraq Programme, met today with Vice President Taha Yasin Ramadan, according to a UN spokesman.

“During his visit to Iraq, Mr. Sevan met with Iraqi officials as well as representatives of the United Nations agencies and programmes to review the implementation of the humanitarian programme in Iraq and review ways to further improve its effectiveness,” spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters in New York.

Mr. Sevan, who is expected back in New York later this week, is scheduled to brief the Security Council on 26 February.