Australian humanitarian aid to Iraq updated 16 Apr 2003

Australia's commitment

The Australian Government's commitment to humanitarian relief for the people of Iraq stands at more than $100 million.

This is made up of $17.5 million contributed earlier this year for international agencies to assist the most vulnerable in Iraq, $38 million for urgent humanitarian relief operations under the UN Flash Appeal and $45 million for further humanitarian requirements and priority reconstruction activities. A detailed breakdown is given below.

Australian wheat for Iraq

Our funding has enabled UN agencies and international non-government organisations (NGOs) to prepare for and pre-position humanitarian supplies to quickly meet critical needs.

Our early assistance is also contributing to the ability of organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to quickly respond to water shortages in a number of Iraqi towns, and for UNICEF to make essential medical supplies available to the people of Iraq.

Redirection of funds

On Wednesday 9 April 2003 the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, announced that Australia had agreed to the World Food Programme (WFP) taking over responsibility for two shipments of Australian wheat, under the reactivated Iraq Oil for Food program (OFF).

This would allow funds of $83 million allocated by the Australian Government on 28 March 2003 for purchase and distribution of the wheat to be re-directed towards alternative urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Iraq.

Specifically, $38 million allocated for the purchase of more than 100,000 tonnes of Australian wheat would be re-directed to urgent humanitarian relief operations under the UN Flash Appeal.

These are likely to include clean water and health care, shelter for displaced people, food security and clearing land mines laid by Iraqi forces.

An amount of $45 million, which had been earmarked for the handling and distribution of the wheat, would now be available for further humanitarian requirements and priority reconstruction activities, including in support of the central role that Australia is expected to take in agricultural rehabilitation.

Delivery of Australian wheat

Unloading by the World Food Programme (WFP) in Kuwait of 50,000 tonnes of Australian wheat from the Pearl of Fujairah began on Wednesday 9 April and is due to be complete on or about Friday 18 April.

It is the first of two shipments of Australian wheat purchased by the WFP under the Oil for Food Program (OFF). The WFP is responsible for delivery of humanitarian food aid in Iraq.

It is also the first major delivery of food to Iraq since the conflict began and sufficient to feed about 1.7 million of Iraq's most vulnerable people for six months.

The wheat being delivered through Kuwait will assist WFP to pre-position its food aid to ensure timely distribution, as security conditions allow.

At the request of WFP, a second ship carrying a further 50,000 tonnes of wheat will be unloaded as Aqaba, Jordan, to enable WFP to open up a western corridor for humanitarian food aid.

WFP estimates that up to 60 per cent of the Iraqi population could be at risk from lack of adequate food, water and medical supplies.

Australian officials on the ground

Highly qualified Australian personnel are undertaking key humanitarian planning and coordination roles with international agencies and the US Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Affairs (ORHA), which is currently based on Kuwait.

Australian officials are being placed with ORHA and there are also Australian Government aid experts on the ground working in planning and coordinating capacities with UN agencies and with NGOs.

Focus on Agriculture

Australia is prepared to play a central role in the reconstruction of Iraq's agricultural sector. Re-establishing food security in Iraq and revitalizing Iraq's agricultural production are key reconstruction challenges.

Australia is well placed to provide expert advice and support to an Iraq interim administration to assist in the rehabilitation of the agriculture sector, particularly in areas such as dry land agriculture, grain distribution, irrigation, salinity and water management.

Australian officials, currently working in the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Affairs (ORHA) in Kuwait, are discussing preliminary plans for the agricultural sector with US and UN officials.

An early priority will be to maximise cereal production from the forthcoming harvest and planting seasons. Another important task will be to identify areas where Australia and other donors can best provide further assistance to Iraq's agriculture sector.

Partnerships

Australia's rapid and effective response to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq is through our partnerships with international agencies including WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, ICRC, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) and the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Affairs (ORHA) in Kuwait.

Australia's support for ICRC and UNICEF are assisting those agencies to provide essential humanitarian supplies to the internally displaced people (IDP). It also meets vital water and health needs across Iraq, including the city of Basra.

Australia continues to work closely with UN agencies, NGOs and US and UK counterparts on humanitarian and reconstruction planning for Iraq. Australia will support the reconstruction process through provision of specialised expertise, for example in the field of agriculture.

As the Prime Minister, John Howard, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Alexander Downer, have stated, Australia will make a strong and effective humanitarian contribution to the Iraqi people.

The generous and timely contributions by the Australian Government demonstrate the strength of this commitment. AusAID continues to identify areas where Australia can make a further, meaningful contribution.