Amman - Two senior UN officials on Friday called for an
immediate cessation of violence in Iraq to ensure safe passage for
relief personnel and supplies to millions deprived of food, clean
water and other essential goods.
The remarks were made at a press conference by John Holmes, Under-
Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief
Coordinator, and UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, David Shearer.
'In any armed conflict, people need access to life-saving
assistance and aid workers need safe access to deliver that
assistance,' Holmes said.
'Unfortunately, in Iraq today access is often hindered by ongoing
hostilities and restrictions on freedom of movement,' he added.
Holmes, who travelled to Amman to discuss the humanitarian
situation in Iraq with the relevant officials, said he was unable to
go to Iraq for security reasons.
He pointed out that humanitarian needs had risen significantly
during the last two years.
'The effects of violence and tension, combined with the
deterioration of basics services, have further contributed to the
impoverishment of Iraqis who have suffered from decades of conflict,
sanctions and oppression,' Holmes said.
'We are scaling up the emergency response wherever conditions
allow, and hope that the 265-million-dollar appeal launched in
February will be fully funded by donors,' he added.
Holmes said that as conditions in Basra continued to stabilize and
freedom of movement expanded throughout the city, UN and NGOs would
be 'increasing emergency operations to reach thousands of families as
well as several hospitals, with water, medical supplies and food
baskets.'
Shearer, who recently returned from a joint humanitarian
assessment mission to the governorate of Basra with Iraqi officials,
said that while the area no longer faced a humanitarian crisis, 'some
families still need support.'
'The UN's priority now is to support Basra's local government in
redoubling its own assistance efforts for the most vulnerable
families,' he added.
Shearer stressed that limited humanitarian access in Sadr City in
Baghdad continued to pose serious problems for the delivery of aid to
several of the city's poorest neighbourhoods.
Both UN officials underscored the need to work together with the
governments of Iraq and neighbouring countries to respond quickly and
appropriately to the urgent needs of the Iraqi people.
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