The UK's leading aid agencies have today
called on the Government to ensure that Iraqi civilians are protected from
military action and from the humanitarian consequences of conflict. They
are deeply concerned about the serious effects of war on an Iraqi population
already suffering an acute humanitarian crisis and largely dependent on
food aid.
The directors of Christian Aid, CAFOD,
Oxfam, Save the Children and ActionAid remind warring parties, including
the UK government, that they have a legal obligation to take all possible
precautions to avoid civilian loss of life.
The international community must now ensure the United Nations plays the lead role in the delivery of humanitarian assistance and in reconstruction after hostilities. The UN must also be given the proper resources and backing to enable it to operate effectively in this role.
The agencies are also calling for more UK money to be devoted to preparing for a humanitarian crisis. At the moment, the sums promised are tiny compared with the =A31.75 billion Chancellor Gordon Brown has made available to the MoD for military operations.
A major priority is to ensure the protection of Iraq's vulnerable, civilian population. Another is to ensure impartial humanitarian access to endangered populations, which will be essential for saving lives. Humanitarian agencies must be allowed safe access to all populations in need and must be able to operate independently, led by the UN.
food
Even before war started, as many as 16 million Iraqis relied on UN food aid. As a matter of urgency, a new UN Security Council resolution is needed to establish alternative food distribution systems should the current system collapse during the conflict. This will be particularly urgent in the event of prolonged fighting.
infrastructure
In accordance with International Humanitarian Law, civilians and installations essential to the survival of civilians, such as water and sanitation infrastructure, must not be targeted.
refugees
The UN is now predicting that up to three million Iraqis may leave their homes but remain within Iraqi borders. The agencies are deeply concerned about the very limited preparedness and provision for these internally displaced people.
According to the UN, an additional 600,000 people may seek refuge beyond Iraq's borders. We remind neighbouring states of their obligations under international law to provide refuge and assistance to those fleeing a conflict in Iraq. International donors - and particularly those countries attacking Iraq - must ensure that states bordering Iraq have the resources to receive refugees.
military
In Iraq, US and UK military forces are engaged in war, not a peace support operation. It is inappropriate for military forces engaged in a war to take the lead in providing humanitarian relief. This role must be taken on by the UN.
funding
We call on the UK government to ensure that no aid or resources are diverted from humanitarian crises elsewhere in the world in order to meet humanitarian obligations in Iraq. The Department for International Development has promised an initial =A310 million for responding to a crisis caused by military action, but it is understood that this has been found from DfID's existing budget.
Speaking on behalf of the agencies, Dr Daleep Mukarji said: "The warring parties have obligations under international law to avoid civilian casualties and to ensure civilians have safe access to food, shelter, water and medical attention. These obligations must be met.
"Furthermore, we are also calling on the UK Government to massively scale up it's funding to the UN, in the hope that a humanitarian disaster can be avoided."
Signed by the following aid agency directors:
Daleep Mukarji, Christian Aid
Julian Filochowski, CAFOD
Barbara Stocking, Oxfam
Mike Aaronson, Save the Children UK
Salil Shetty, ActionAid
contact
ActionAid: Jane Moyo
+44 (0)20 7561 7614
Christian Aid: Dominic Nutt
+44 (0)20 7523 2427
+44 (0)7720 467680 (out of hours)
CAFOD: Martha Clarke
+44 (0)20 7326 5557
+44 (0)7779 804254 (out of hours)
OXFAM: Amy Barry
+44 (0)1865 312254
+44 (0)7980 664397 (out of hours)
SCF UK: Brendan Paddy
+44 (0)20 7716 2281
+44 (0)7831 650409 (out of hours)