Painting a grim picture of hardship and horror, United Nations relief agencies today underscored the massive humanitarian tasks awaiting them in war-shattered Iraq.
With growing concern now focusing on the water supply for the 5 million residents of Baghdad, United Nations relief agencies today reported "some hopeful and positive steps" in moving humanitarian aid into other parts of Iraq.
With water shortages still posing a major concern in Iraq, United Nations aid agencies today appealed for a swifter and more generous response to the $2.2 billion UN appeal launched last week to tackle growing health and other emergencies.
After hearing an update on the humanitarian situation in Iraq by Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette today, the members of the Security Council expressed their concern regarding the Iraqi population's access to relief help.
With the heat already taking a toll on children in southern Iraq, United Nations humanitarian agencies today reported what they hoped was "an improving pattern of access" in bringing clean water and emergency health kits into the area.
As United Nations relief agencies struggled to move more humanitarian aid into Iraq, stifling heat amid a continuing water shortage emerged today as a new threat to the health of the civilian population, especially children.
The United Nations office overseeing the humanitarian Oil-for-Food programme today said it has identified over $1 billion worth of goods and supplies as potential priorities for delivery to Iraq over the next 45 days.
United Nations relief agencies along Iraq's borders are looking at ways to bring in humanitarian aid, and the first UN food consignment to enter the country since the outbreak of hostilities has already crossed over from Turkey into northern Iraq.
The United Nations today launched a $2.2 billion emergency appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance for the people of Iraq over the next six months, with $1.3 billion devoted to a massive food aid operation.
United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said today the UN must move speedily to bring humanitarian aid to Iraq and welcomed the unanimous Security Council approval of adjustments to the suspended Oil-for-Food programme giving him more authority to administer the operation for the next 45 days.
