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| Europe |
| Relief workers put at risk if army hands out food, Brussels warns |
| 2003-04-01 |
| The European Commission raised concerns yesterday over the distribution of aid by British soldiers, and suggested that troops should instead create "humanitarian corridors" to help relief workers do their job in Iraq. Bunch of busybodies. So far almost no aid has been handed out in Iraq, apart from limited amounts distributed by British troops at Umm Qasr and on the outskirts of Basra. Yesterday the United Nations said it faced its biggest food distribution challenge in its history as it launched a $1.3 bn (£0.8bn) global appeal to save Iraq from mass starvation. The UN World Food Programme unveiled a six-month plan to feed the 27 million Iraqis once the country's food stocks run out in May. James Morris, WFP executive director, admitted a prolonged war would wreck its plans and leave the country facing a humanitarian catastrophe. The UN plan would begin with a month-long programme of emergency help for millions of Iraqi refugees. $1.3 billion? Sounds like that should be available, just ask the French to disburse it from the "Oil for Food" money they're holding. That would be followed by the distribution of food to the entire Iraqi population for three months, and then a further two months of help for the most vulnerable members of the population, such as the elderly, children and hospital patients. But officials in Brussels warned that aid workers' lives could be put at risk if there was confusion over who was making essential supplies of food and water available. They also conceded that there were cases where it was too dangerous for charities and non-governmental organisations to operate and where troops might have to be used for a short time. How about further conceding that you'll do as you're told in Iraq? The EU humanitarian aid official responsible for Iraq, Javier Menendez Bonilla, said that the "ideal situation" was for aid to be provided by "humanitarian organisations, which are the ones that have the capacity and expertise". Asked about Basra, he suggested that soldiers could provide security for "humanitarian corridors" which would allow aid agencies to enter the city. Better yet, we'll whack all the Fedayeen hard boys. If you're squeamish, don't watch. The WFP wants to revive the distribution system used in the oil-for-food programme, which ground to a halt last month. The UN Security Council approved a resolution on Friday to establish a successor to the scheme. Michael Curtis, Thus he attempts to tar the reputation of British soldiers. You might want to stay home, Mr. Curtis. |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #8 He's not tarring the Brits, he's tarring US. Seems we handed out some food to a group that was in our favor. If the UN really wanted to make a point, it would move that program out of brussels into Iraq. After all, the bricks-and-mortar part should be closer to those who need it. |
| Posted by: Anonymous 2003-04-01 16:44:58 |
| #7 Just another idiot attempt to get the United Nations in control. It doesn't matter what, they just HAVE to be the ones 'in charge'. I don't think we really need their help. If the United States needs some help "withdrawing" the funds from French banks, I volunteer to help. |
| Posted by: Old Patriot 2003-04-01 15:33:33 |
| #6 They just don't want anyone to cut into their their Food-for-KiddieSex Program. A very popular program in the Belgium government. |
| Posted by: Don 2003-04-01 14:09:56 |
| #5 "humanitarian corridors" to help relief workers do their job in Iraq. This will just turn into a "Fayadeen corridor". |
| Posted by: Yosemite Sam 2003-04-01 10:53:02 |
| #4 "humanitarian corridors" to help relief workers do their job in Iraq. This will just turn into a "Fayadeen corridor". |
| Posted by: Yosemite Sam 2003-04-01 10:52:44 |
| #3 Obviously the WFPers want to keep their jobs, and they must be afraid that if their beloved humanitarian crisis fails to materialize, then this war could damage them much as it has the UNSC. But I can think of a good troop security reason for not letting them in, at least not yet: throughout liberated villages in S. Iraq, there are still guys who aren't sure whether they want to accept the Allied forces and go with the smart side of history, or whether they want to dig up that AK in the backyard. Continued contact with our troops can only be a good thing, both to keep a trained eye on things, and to start building bridges between the longsuffering Iraqi people and the Best in the West. |
| Posted by: (lowercase) matt 2003-04-01 09:10:05 |
| #2 Yesterday the United Nations said it faced its biggest food distribution challenge in its history as it launched a $1.3 bn (£0.8bn) global appeal to save Iraq from mass starvation. A BIG score for Humanitarianism, Inc... |
| Posted by: tu3031 2003-04-01 08:07:08 |
| #1 UMMM, what nonexistant "refugees" are they planning on feeding? And why the heck are they appealing for money when the oil for food account has billions in it already??? |
| Posted by: Buckaroobanzai 2003-04-01 07:25:38 |