ReliefWeb

The United Nations has begun implementation of the accelerated procedures for the approval of contracts for humanitarian supplies for Iraq on 1 March 2000. Since then, 30 humanitarian contracts, under phases VI and VII, worth $233.5 million, were approved.
During the week to 3 March, Iraq exported a total of 12.1 million barrels of crude oil, in eleven loadings, for an estimated revenue of $330 million dollars. Since oil exports under phase VII began, there have been 145.1 million barrels exported for an estimated revenue of $3,623 million.

In phase VII, the Security Council Committee has approved a total of 96 contracts for the sale of Iraqi oil with a total volume of 271.8 million barrels (163 m Basrah Light, 108.8 m Kirkuk).

The Office of the Iraq Programme has now received 1695 contracts for humanitarian supplies worth $3.41 billion under phase VI. Of the 1301 contracts circulated to the Security Council Committee, 894 worth some $1.7 billion have been approved. So far, some $1.58 billion worth of contracts for humanitarian supplies have been approved under phase IV and $1.62 billion under phase V.

In phases IV, V and VI, there are a total of 580 contracts for humanitarian supplies on hold. These include 20 contracts worth $34.1 million dollars in phase IV, 159 contracts worth $503.4 million in phase V and 401 contracts worth $884.3 million in phase VI. None is currently on hold under Phase VII.

In Phases IV to VII, OIP has received a total of 2207 contracts worth $1.25 billion for the supply of oil industry spare parts and equipment. Of these contracts, the 661 Committee has approved 1143, worth $ 598.2 million and put 572, worth $330.7 million, on hold.

Supplies purchased under the programme continue to arrive into the country. In addition to the regular food basket items, arrivals over the past week included: oil spare parts, dental equipment, books on various subjects, agriculture tires, irrigation units, broiler hatching eggs and feed concentrate.

(note: a full listing of humanitarian and oil sector contracts for Phases V and VI and their current status is available on the OIP website).

For further information please contact John Mills on 1.212.963 1646