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Press CentreBriefing note15 April 2003: What UNICEF said at the UN briefingTwo days ago, UNICEF delivered two bladders and the whole community pitched it to build platforms for them. When we returned to Umm Qasr today, the community had on their own volition built fences around the area to protect the bladders Briefing by Geoff Keele, UNICEF Communication Officer, IRAQ
UNICEF, together with the WHO today met with Queen Rania of Jordan to discuss opportunities to assist the children of Iraq in improving their health and their wellbeing. The Queen, who is an international leader in UNICEF's global movement for children, expressed a desire to assist UNICEF in helping children overcome the trauma of war. Her Majesty also expressed a willingness to work on issues of early childhood development over the long-term. This is to ensure that - after so many years of warfare, sanctions and strife - Iraqi children receive the best start to life possible. Community participation in the protection and distribution of vital aid continues to improve in areas of southern Iraq. UNICEF has been delivering clean water to Umm Qasr for more than 10 days now. However, with people lining up with buckets to receive the aid, it takes 4 and a half hours to empty each water tanker. Our goal was to set up giant 5,000 litre water bladders - which can be filled in 20 minutes freeing the truck to got back and get more. With the looting, UNICEF wanted to be sure that the security of the bladders could assured. Two days ago, UNICEF delivered two bladders and the whole community pitched it to build platforms for them. When we returned to Umm Qasr today, the community had on their own volition built fences around the area to protect the bladders. UNICEF will be delivering four more bladders tomorrow, and hopefully another four by the end of the week. Together, these bladders will meet the water needs of the community. More initiatives like this in other parts of Iraq would speed up the distribution, and effectiveness, of aid delivery, ensuring that those in need are cared for. The big concern in Az Zubair is that they only have two weeks of chlorine left for water treatment. Prior to the outbreak of war, they had a nine-month supply. Little is left as a result of looting. The water pumping station was looted, even bricks themselves were taken. Further complicating the chlorine situation is that the chlorine factory in Basra which supplied the South is currently on fire. I can not underestimate the importance of clean water, especially at this time of year. Water disease and diarrhea are rampant in the south at this time of year and as the temperature soars, and given the current lack of water, these problems are only going to become worse. Water gives life, but bad water can kill and so it is essential to get the station up and running. A couple of quick updates: The humanitarian convoy heading to Iraq's Al-Fao peninsula from Iran which we announced was supposed to bring water yesterday is stuck at the border. The trucks carrying 120,000 litres of water reached the Shalamcheh border crossing point in good time this morning, but were delayed by some necessary bureaucratic procedures. We now expect the convoy to cross the border tomorrow morning. Also yesterday, we mentioned yesterday that the schools in Northern Iraq had re-opened. However, there are two schools we know of - in Erbil - that have failed to re-open, the reason being that they are currently being used by US troops. We have made our displeasure at this situation clearly known to the relevant military authorities. The children need this school more than the troops do.
For further information please contact us:. Geoffrey Keele, UNICEF Iraq:
gkeele@unicef.org For interviews in the region, write or call directly to the UNICEF NewsDesk in Amman: (962-79) 50422058 •
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