Baroness Amos is currently in Iraq to see for herself the progress made over the last three months and also to discuss with the UN, Coalition Provisional Authority, and Iraqis what needs to be done.
In Baghdad today the International Development Secretary, Valerie Amos, will announce an allocation of a further =A335 million ($55 million) to the UN for relief and reconstruction activities across the country. The allocation is in response to the United Nations Appeal for 2003, launched on 23 June. This will help restore basic infrastructure such as electricity supply, drinking water, and sanitation systems; support health and nutrition services; and ensure emergency food supplies are sustained.
Whilst in Baghdad Baroness Amos commented, "The first priority is to establish law and order and re-establish basic public services, so that Iraqis can begin to enjoy the benefits of the end of Saddam's regime. The UN agencies, International Red Cross, NGOs - and above all Iraqi public servants - are working hard to get things fixed."
"But just restoring power supplies to pre-conflict levels is not enough. That is why the Coalition Provisional Authority, the UN, the World Bank, the IMF and the Arab Fund for Social and Economic Development, are together working with Iraqi Ministries to develop policies and programmes for longer-term development."
Notes to editors:
1. Baroness Amos visited Basra yesterday where she met with representatives of Iraqi civil society, the UN, UK military, and Coalition Provisional Authority South.
2. In April DFID earmarked =A3210 million for Iraq. Today's allocation brings the total allocated of the =A3210 million to =A3154 million, =A3113 million of which has been allocated to the UN.
3. Allocations to specific UN programmes will be subject to review and further consultation with our UN partners.
4. The UK is the second largest bilateral contributor to Iraq behind the US.
5. Baroness Amos will be holding a press conference in Baghdad later today.
6. For further information about DFID assistance to Iraq please visit www.dfid.gov.uk.
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