relief

UN agency warns irrigation problems could affect Iraq’s grain crop in south

28 April 2003
Although at least one-third of Iraq's critical spring grain crop appears to have emerged unscathed from the recent conflict, the fate of the bulk of the winter crop of cereals, some 1.2 million tons of sorely needed wheat and barley, remains in doubt, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today.

UN food ships converge on Iraq as health teams fan out across country

28 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies reported today that a fleet of food ships was converging on the Middle East in the race to ensure rations for Iraq's 27 million people next month while local health teams were fanning out inside the country to deliver essential medical supplies.
WFP humanitarian aid convoy

UN opens new food corridor into Iraq, pledges aid to re-open schools

25 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies opened a fourth food corridor into Iraq today while pledging help for re-opening schools and shifting focus from contingency preparations for a refugee exodus out of the country to the eventual repatriation of up to 500,000 people.

UN relief agencies send more international staff back to Iraq

24 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies reported the return today of more international staff to Iraq after their withdrawal on the eve of hostilities, and forecast an increase in food convoys, but said the security situation remained critical in Baghdad.
WFP humanitarian aid convoy

UN international aid workers begin returning to Iraq after five-week absence

23 April 2003
The first international United Nations humanitarian staff began returning to Iraq today more than five weeks after they were withdrawn on the eve of hostilities, and UN relief agencies reported a "dramatic increase" in food supplies, some restoration of electricity in Baghdad and cautious efforts to restart medical services.

UN relief agencies report slow improvement in Iraq, but situation still ‘precarious’

22 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies reported a slow improvement today in the humanitarian situation in Iraq but there were still many areas for concern, with spokesmen describing the state of affairs as “precarious” and “tense.”

UN relief agencies laud dedication of Iraqi health workers

21 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies today praised the Iraqi doctors, nurses and support staff who have kept services running despite the destruction and looting, but they also underscored the enormity of the tasks ahead in repairing the national infrastructure and feeding the population.
WFP humanitarian aid convoy

Signs of hope amid 'horrible' picture in Baghdad, UN local staff say

17 April 2003
Even as the United Nations pressed ahead today with its first relief lifeline into Baghdad along what could become its most important aid corridor into Iraq, UN local staff today painted a “horrible” picture on the ground, yet with highlights of hope and humanitarian heroism.
Trucks loaded with food aid for Iraq (WFP)

UN food convoys converge on Iraq

16 April 2003
United Nations food convoys were advancing on Iraq from four directions today as relief agencies continued to report issues of major humanitarian concern.

UN relief agencies report some progress in Iraq but grave health problems persist

15 April 2003
United Nations relief agencies today reported some incremental progress in Iraq, especially in the far south, but severe and disturbing problems still persisted in many parts of the country where lack of security and clean water were among the most urgent health issues.