United Nations: Despite the dangers posed by widespread looting and instability in
Iraq, the United Nations plans to send international aid workers into the country
early next week, a senior UN official has said.
"We hope to return Monday (April 14) to the three Northern governorates, Dahuk,
Erbil and Sulmanieya," Ramiro Lopes da Silva, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator in
Iraq, told reporters.
Some 13 international staff members are scheduled to go to each of those areas, he
said.
The UN plans to broaden its outreach in the Southern part of the country, while
providing help to Eastern Iraq, where there are approximately 30,000 displaced
persons, he added.
"We will be expanding the UN presence as the situation of law and order on the
ground allows us to return without incurring undue risks for our colleagues, who
have to undertake the humanitarian response," Lopes da Silva said, stressing the
urgent need to provide food and basic services to the beleaguered Iraqi people.
Voicing concern over delays in the relief effort caused by insecurity, he urged
coalition forces to exercise control. "Our return to Iraq is very much constrained
by the situation of lack of law and order on the ground," he said.
"In terms of risk, the fact that there is a lack of law and order makes it extremely
more dangerous than a situation of active conflict between two organised armed
forces," he observed, pointing out that aid agencies could at least establish some
level of contact with well-defined parties.
At the same time, he noted reports that coalition forces had undertaken to
restore "some level" of normalcy. "I hope we will be able to see on the ground the
swift results of this commitment to allow (us), as the humanitarian agencies, to
carry out our responsibilities."
Responding to questions, Lopes da Silva said the UN is "extremely concerned" by the
prevailing anarchy and chaos in Iraq's main urban centres.
Asked about reports that UN premises were being looted, he said these were not a
priority problem. "Our immediate concern is not the UN offices being looted, our
main concern is the fact that hospitals, private houses and schools are being
looted."
The humanitarian co-ordinator is currently touring the region to discuss issues
related to the relief effort for Iraq. He termed his recent talks with officials in
Iran as "fruitful". In the coming days, he is scheduled to visit Syria, Turkey and
Kuwait.
PTI
