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Press CentreBriefing note31 March 2003: What UNICEF said at the UN briefingBriefing by Geoff Keele, UNICEF Communication Officer, IRAQ
UNICEF is now trying to find ways of moving urgently needed humanitarian assistance into Iraq to address the immediate needs of the population. The latest information we have is that two trucks loaded with UNICEF supplies are still at Habur Gate in Turkey pending permission to cross into Northern Iraq. The supplies on the vehicles include medical and educational supplies as well as material for emergency water provision. The trucks have been hired from private contractors. UNICEF in Kuwait is also looking at ways of moving large quantities of water into southern Iraq under private contract. The need for clean water in southern Iraq is urgent and the lack of it is a significant health hazard for children. Yesterday 13 vehicles were commissioned to go into the country. In the end 3 managed to deliver water to Um Qasr. Of the others, some did not have the correct paperwork to cross into Iraq and the drivers of two decided that the right safety conditions did not exist for them to carry on. UNICEF is now looking at the issues so this operation can be continued safely and people can be reached quickly and effectively. At Garow near Dohuk in northern Iraq the UNICEF office reports that 3 children aged between 3 and 6 have been injured by a landmine. Their condition, and the seriousness of their injuries, is not currently known.
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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